Writings about Music

The Party Line

“We need to show students the precedence of achievement of all people in music. To do that, we must build greater gender and racial diversity into curriculums and concert programs so that students may see themselves in history.” 

I completely agree with this, even if what qualifies as “classical” music is another important discussion. At the same time, it is the individual artist who is paramount. Transcending matters of gender, race and class, we must avoid promulgating conformity in music creativity, and only supporting sameness in aesthetics. What is the gain if only those from all genders, races and classes who devoutly echo “the party line” are encouraged?

A few hours after the comment above was published by New Music Box, my comment below was published by The New York Times - see Readers' Picks.

"It has been suggested that the real reason why Hitler didn't annihilate the stranded men at Dunkirk is because he regarded the British as racial equals, even hoping that a reconciliation based on such might be reached in his twisted mind."

- Michael Robinson, July 2017, Los Angeles

 

© 2017 Michael Robinson All rights reserved

 

Michael Robinson is a Los Angeles-based composer, programmer, pianist and musicologist. His 199 albums include 152 albums for meruvina and 47 albums of piano improvisations. Robinson has been a lecturer at UCLA, Bard College and California State University Long Beach and Dominguez Hills.