Music, this thing which means so little to some and yet so much to others. Is there really any greater power or responsibility to it? Music in the past and present is sometimes thought of as being "right" and "wrong," and as such many students are trained to be slaves to the will of the composer, and the fidelity of the score. Just as with the laws of many, these believes do hold some power. This does not make them universal truths however, and though a majority believe in them, this does not preclude others from believing otherwise and from their views being respected as equal.
Music is not inherently right or wrong. Music simply is a means of communication, and just as one may paraphrase words, one may also take liberties with the notes a fellow mortal has written. people will either like a piece and its performance or they won't. This does not make the bad performances wrong and the good ones right, this just means that the person who witnessed it liked it and the person who didn't... didn't. No more, no less.
There is however a morality of music, namely the responsibility of performers to avoid causing their listeners excessively distressing emotions like anger and sadness. Just as we should be careful what we say, so should we be careful what we play, because both can drive a person to great joy or utter destruction.
Sincerely,
Joseph Arthur Mann
Next time..... the revival of early music!
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I disagree. Some people write and listen to music specifically to feel sad or angry. I don't consider it "morally wrong" to make someone sad or angry through music. Music is an emotional experience. Just because it doesn't make people happy means it's wrong. Also, I don't really know what you mean by "right" and "wrong" anyway. Not trying to pick a fight - I just don't really understand.
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