Very few of us sit at the top of our vocations or
avocations. We may envy the few who do, but imagine how tough that must be.
Fail to stay current, take a break from practicing, and the fall can be
immediate. Having lost top place, it may be impossible to recover.
The rest cluster underneath.
Take music, for example. The top performers tend to be
geniuses with talents we the people cannot comprehend. Charisma plus marvelous
marketing make them “unbeatable.”
The next level lacks something, if only the marketing that
tends to focus on the top.
Each pond has its big fish, from countries to regions to
states to counties to towns.
Then we come to the parlor, where at the beginning of the
previous century, someone could do at least a little bit with an upright piano
and the rest could sing. Most music happened there or in the yard or woods...or
even here.
Recordings changed everything, providing everywhere-access
to “perfect” performances. Almost everyone became a critic. “He was good, but
no Rubinstein.”
In our area, the Krantzes are famous for their
twice-per-year music megaparties. Folks (everyone is invited) gather in their
music room, where three grand pianos, over a hundred seats, 360-degree views of
the Appalachians, and complete openness invite music-making. A couple months
before the next party, the host and hostess invite people to sign up for 10-,
15- or 20-minute performance slots, first-come, first-served.
The lack of discretion makes these parties unique. Anyone
can perform. Anyone does. Natural selection does or does not take its course.
“I suppose this results in some very bad performances,”
says Virginia. “On the other hand, I’d bet it frees some who might otherwise be
reluctant and yields some very fine sets?”
That’s the point, I think. It attempts to release attendees
from definitions like “good” and “bad,” to allow them to view music in different,
more generous ways. To be “fun” and “funny,” and at the same time “serious” and
“grave.”
“Ah, maybe even to see some music as the hoax it is?” says
Virginia.
Yes. Even the stuffed-shirt might leave a bit tickled,
realizing that each level of music-making is golden.
