Maybe Chris is, or is not, qualified to teach a master class in classical music. But the only evidence you've given to us in your post that he is not, is his age of 26. Will he be able to teach us this class at 28? If not let us know the number.Originally Posted by (Acquavella @ Dec. 22 2007, 15:58)I'm afraid that I disagree. Musicianship or musical interpretation is quite evident and can show the maturity of an artist. Listening to an early music specialist might sound dry to one person but can also demonstrate the subtleties of this music to someone else. Listening to a romantic specialist play baroque music might very well sound energetic and vibrant. I personally like Nigel Kennedy's recording of the Four Seasons. But even within his contemporary interpretation of Vivaldi's works is a wonderful touch of musical phrasing and lyrical playing. It's quite interesting really because Nigel has a wonderful and subtle sense of baroque phrasing within a new rendition of an age old work. The same argument can be applied to early music group, The Red Priest, who's blistering speed can give Thile a run for his money, and quite frankly, win. The difference is that Red Priest have a long history of education and knowledge about this music, which can be heard in their phrasing. In fact they were all early music majors. Yes they are playing Bach, Vivaldi, Teleman and Handel clean and fast but not at the expence of lyrical phrasing.....or should I say Musicianship. No matter what speed we take a piece of music at there is still the defining factor of phrasing and dynamics.
I think the other problem is that a 26 year kid, who is in essence a bluegrasser, can give a "Master Class" in regards to a style of music he knows little about. Don't get me wrong, I like Thile's playing. Not All Who Wander is a cd that frequents my CD player. On the subject of Bluegrass and Newgrass he is definitely an experienced player. But a Master of classical music he is not. To me this is the same thing as Bill Monroe giving a Master Class on Bach or the advanced techniques of Calace. Also, visa versa, it would be farcical for Vengerov, Menuhin or Oistrakh giving a Master Class on bluegrass/newgrass. Thile has been quoted in an article as stating that he has taken the mandolin as far as he can, technically. I find this hard to believe since he doesn't know anything about classical technique, which for the record is not defined by playing clean and fast. No matter style of music we play, it should be clean if anything. If Thile has indeed taken the mandolin as far as he can technically....I recommend he go to music college to experience the full depth of our little instrument and gain a little knowledge about music he is teaching others about.
There is a huge difference listening to someone play Bach (or anything else really)who is still in or just got out of music college compared to 20+ year professional. This is why colleges have "Master Classes". The people giving them are true masters of their instrument. The music they are performing and teaching has matured in their playing for a longer time than Thile has been alive. This is what makes them Masters of their craft. They can and have for many years disected a piece of music and can explain to eager young minds why they are playing it this way or that way. Even if they are not playing a piece "historically accurate", they can explain why that is note for note. A Master has a long lineage of professors and professionals who have all added to that person's education and growth.
Quote: "Early music is often sublime, but not always, and the factors that drive whether it moves us or not are often unrelated to the measure of historical accuracy involved."
That can be said for any style of music. Personally, eventhough I listen to Thile's albums, they generally only last for about two songs before they get replaced by something else. The effect of clean & fast wears off and I end up thirsting for something musical.
Bach is one of those composers that has been argued about over and over and over again. Part of the facination, I think, is that everyone has their own approach. Personally, I would really be interested in hearing Richard perform Bach...or anything from the baroque era. I hear through the grapevine that he is a wonderful baroque violinist.
And for the record, Chris majored in music in college.
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