Re: promiscuous fusionizers

[Matt Jaffey <mjaffey2...>]

Henry,

You set yourself up for reaction when you used the emotionally laden words
"promiscuous fusionizers". Though maybe to our benefit, since we got an
interesting discussion out of it.

Matt

At 03:30 PM 12/9/99 EST, you wrote:
>There seems to be some sort of mistaken belief that I am espousing a 
>reactionary approach to the performance of traditional music as a form of 
>airless museum exhibit. That is obviously not the case. Careful listening to 
>any of my recordings would reveal a subtle balance of tradition and 
>innovation. (Yes, I play the banjo a "non-traditional" instrument but a) it 
>WAS used in period Yiddish bands but b) I play it in a very non-traditional 
>style which reflects traditional instrumental precedents.) I am not on the 
>"other" side of Wolf. Nor is anyone who truly loves the music and wishes it 
>to be a vital part of our collective cultural literacy. By melding it with 
>so-called "outside influences" we can keep the culture from developing the 
>societal equivilent of a "Hapsburg Lip". 
>That being said, all I am calling for is a measured and thoughtful approach 
>to the internalization and application of a traditional music form. Learn the 
>old music in all its variations and differences before you start applying 
>other newer elements to it. 
>It is possible to be both literate in the old music and forward looking in 
>its multi-cultural contemporary application. 
>
>Henry Sapoznik
>
>
>
>

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