Movement vs. System

Opera News published an interview of conductor/composer Frédéric Chaslin, whose recent book about contemporary music has raised more than a few eyebrows.

Frédéric Chaslin in his book, La Musique dans Tous les Sens (Music in Every Sense), "criticize Pierre Boulez for deliberately writing obscure, off-putting musical commentary and, worse, as a "gendarme" who employs "terror" tactics toward other composers."

Chaslin in the interview, related that his book has caused no problem in France, where Boulez is much revered.

My criticism was not mean-spirited, because I attacked the part of the Boulez system that is political rather than artistic. Ultimately I am simply citing Boulez's own words, and I don't consider it harsh to recall that he has said some very aggressive things. But other books have been written against the Boulez system, because basically Boulez is not just a personality, he's a system. So to some extent I attack the notion that there should be a Boulez system, because I don't see that an artist needs to have a system. Of course, you can found your own movement, fine. But to devise a system that forms other artists, or prohibits the artists who are not in the system — that, to me, is idiotic."

It is very interesting notion. I completely agree with Chaslin's criticism on the system, which can be applied to art world of all denominations. Great artists inevitably exert strong influences on follow artists and art world at large, which can form a movement or a school or art making; however, to insist on their stylistic approaches as the only way moving forward and form a system to train other artists and art lovers to follow their food step alone will diminish true art. Style cannot be copied; it will be be mere mannerism through cloning.

A long while ago, when I first took painting classes, my teach insisted on the abstract and flat style of his, and ridiculed my more realistic approaches. It was very bruising period and it definitely didn't inspire much in me. Luckily, his tactic didn't put me off and I persisted to pursue my own style over long years. Maybe, I will arrive at the style he appreciated most, maybe not. Yet, I can say that whatever style I have been working on, reflected my conviction and ability of the time, not just duplicate others' wisdom.


Stairwell © Matthew Felix Sun

Frederick Chopin Museum Opened in Warsaw on His 200th Birthday

Frederick Chopin Museum opened today in Warsaw, on the 200th birthday of the great polish composer.

Amongst the artifacts, visitors can see the last piano that Chopin composed on, a death mask made after he died of possible tuberculosis and a lock of his brown hair.

The museum is located in the center of Warsaw, where infant Chopin moved in from a nearby country estate, and spent the first 20 years of his life before moving to Paris.

Many of the artifacts related to the romantic composer, such as letters were destroyed by women he was romantically involved with while others in the World War II.

Since 1899, Polish authorities has been gathering musical scores, sketches and other objects connected to Chopin, which are are priceless in terms of emotional value.

The museum is arranged thematically with spaces devoted to different aspects of his life. The final room is devoted to his death on Oct. 17, 1849 at age 39. It contains a plaster death mask taken of Chopin's face. On display are also invitations to his memorial service in Paris, as well as a lock of his brown hair treasured by his family.

The museum is housed in the stately Ostrogski Palace, home of the Fryderyk Chopin Institute, in the center of Warsaw.

To Provoke - In The Good Sense - Is The Artist's Role

I enjoyed reading an article about composer/conductor Pierre Boulez by Michael Kimmelman, Boulez’s Gentler Roar. At the end of the article, Kimmelman wrote: "'Performers aren't audacious enough today,' Mr. Boulez also told me. 'They think audiences won't respond to what’s unfamiliar. But to provoke — in the good sense — is the performer's role. It's not just to give one more concert.' 'That's not culture,' he said. 'That's marketing.'"

That can be applied to fine artists as well.