tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060605.post7327916919124910964..comments2008-05-09T15:43:37.226+01:00Pliablenoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060605.post-76511125092292909102008-05-09T13:53:00.000+01:002008-05-09T13:53:00.000+01:00<I>'I believe the function of art is to denounce seriousness. It should be fun. There's a halo of awe around modern music. You achieve more if you're not serious'.</I><BR/><BR/>"Serious" is a poor choice of word, in my opinion. I suspect that any responsible musician is serious about whatever music is played, modern or not.<BR/><BR/>The better word is "solemn"; it makes the point much more clearly. One can be serious without being solemn, and I would certainly agree that the distinction is all too often lost.<BR/><BR/>Here's a small example of "serious but not solemn" from an early 60's Julian Bream live LP that I listened to just a few days ago. In introducing a set of 5 Dowland pieces from the stage, Bream says that one piece will be different than printed in the program - "Instead of Kemp's Jig, I will play 'Tarleton's Resurrection." Pause. "Not that it matters too much ...".Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00914563821350955193noreply@blogger.com