Re: [Harp-L] Re: The Chromatic Harmonica Sounds Like A Machine

["Bob Laughlin" <rlaughlin@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Sounding "like a machine" is just a way of saying that the listener didn't
seem to perceive as much human emotion conveyed through the instrument,
amongst the players that he'd heard so far, I am assuming.

It is true that amongst classical performers, some are more known for the
feeling they convey, and others, for their "mechanical precision". It was
said, I believe falsely, of the famous violinist Jascha Heifitz, that his
execution was "cold", yet precise. There is most of the time SOME element of
truth beneath these claims, however much exaggerated they may be.

In listening to two different versions of Saint-Saens "Introduction et Rondo
Capriccio", one may notice a difference:

Here is Heifetz (performed in the context of a movie):

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZRHlZho5xm8

I wouldn't call that performance "emotionless", but compare with Isaac
Stern:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=XD059jkt6bs

My impression is that Stern conveys more tenderness, more passion,,but only
by a bit.

Hey,,they're both good.

But amongst harmonica players,,there's the same variation. I doubt whether
it could be said that ALL chromatic players have a "mechanical" execution,
or all diatonic players an "emotional".

Blah blah blah,,blah blah,,blah

BL
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <MilwHarmonica@xxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, September 29, 2007 8:36 AM
Subject: [Harp-L] Re: The Chromatic Harmonica Sounds Like A Machine


> In a message dated 9/29/2007 7:01:19 AM Central Daylight Time,
> harp-l-request@xxxxxxxxxx writes:
>
> The chromatic harmonica, like all musical instruments, IS a machine. It's
a
> tool.
>
> The chromatic harmonica makes no sound, unless dropped, or hit, or played
by
> a human or other animal.
>
> The chromatic harmonica is incapable of sounding like a machine, without
> human, animal or another machine's interference.
>
> It is the human performer that activates the sound of the chromatic
> harmonica. Don't blame the machine.
>
> Some performers sound better than others. Some sound worse than  others.
>
> I've never heard a harmonica or harmonica performer sound like a  machine.
>
> John Broecker
>
>
>
>
>
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