Re: [Harp-L] cutting contests

["Bob Laughlin" <rlaughlin@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Glenn Weiser" <celticguitar1@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, July 28, 2007 9:27 PM
Subject: [Harp-L] cutting contests


> I don't think musical competitions are a bad idea categorically, but
playing
> music with a motive of competitiveness usually is. There are fiddle
contests
> in many states, and in Winfield Kansas, there are annual contests for both
> fingerstyle and flatpicking guitar.
>     There is long history of such contests, too. Regrading Handel and
> Scarlatti, there is this quote, "After all, live competition was a crucial
> part of musical life of the [Baroque] period. It was in 1708 or 1709 that
> Handel and Scarlatti, then in their early twenties, were involved in a
> celebrated keyboard contest in Rome. According to the surviving (and not
> always reliable) account, Handel was declared to be superior on the organ,
> while Scarlatti matched or perhaps even surpassed Handel's skill at the
> harpsichord. Scarlatti is said to have realized the musical possibilities
of
> the organ only after hearing Handel play; regardless of the reliability of
> such a statement, it certainly confirms Scarlatti's love for the
instrument.
> In any case, the two became good friends and Scarlatti followed Handel
> throughout Italy in order to listen to him and learn from his mastery of
the
> organ."
>     Maybe it could be just plain fun if the contestants don't stake all
> their pride on it.
>     Somthing to think about.
>
> Glenn Weiser
>

In the midst of all the hubbub,,thanks so much for helping bring the hub
into perspective, bub,,

BL