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Unanswered Question

Joe Horowitz on music

“The Difference Between Quality Art and Crap” Take Two

September 12, 2017 by Joe Horowitz Leave a Comment

My exchange with Vladimir Feltsman about “quality art” versus “crap” was posted on youtube and elicited this response: “Two oldies bemoaning that they have had their day and are confined to the dust bin of history. It is always the no talents that wave their own banner of knowledge as to what is true art.” Feltsman referenced a performance of Rachmaninoff's transcription … [Read more...] about “The Difference Between Quality Art and Crap” Take Two

“The Difference Between Quality Art and Crap”

September 10, 2017 by Joe Horowitz Leave a Comment

I was chatting with Vladimir Feltsman last Spring about PostClassical Ensemble’s 2017-18 immersion experience, “The Russian Experiment,” when the conversation took an unexpected turn. I had broached the topic of “cultural community,” and invited Feltsman to compare musical life in the US with the policed Soviet musical milieu he fled in 1987. We agreed that Western … [Read more...] about “The Difference Between Quality Art and Crap”

The Arts in the Age of Trump (continued)

September 8, 2017 by Joe Horowitz 3 Comments

The Age of Trump has rapidly changed the American cultural landscape in many ways. In the silo of classical music, there is suddenly a felt need to ask: What’s it for? Why are we doing this? How can the arts affect social or political change? How can concerts help us understand who we are as a nation? What we’ve been or want to become? These questions are newer than … [Read more...] about The Arts in the Age of Trump (continued)

Copland and the Cold War

September 6, 2017 by Joe Horowitz 2 Comments

PostClassical Ensemble’s most recent WWFM “PostClassical” radio show is “Copland and the Cold War” – aired last Friday and now archived. Our two-hour program includes Aaron Copland’s prize-winning New Masses workers’ song “Into the Streets, May First” as well as a re-enactment of Copland’s 1953 grilling by Senator Joseph McCarthy starring myself and Bill McGlaughlin. And … [Read more...] about Copland and the Cold War

Milstein vs. Szigeti

August 6, 2017 by Joe Horowitz 2 Comments

My frustrations with a recent performance of Brahms’ Violin Concerto sent me to youtube in search of something different: an act of therapy. A foible to which violinists are prone (pianists are immune) is lingering upon or otherwise savoring a beautiful note. That’s OK in Bruch or Tchaikovsky but does no favors to Brahms or Beethoven. After half an hour of Menuhin, … [Read more...] about Milstein vs. Szigeti

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About Joe Horowitz

Joseph Horowitz is an award-winning author, concert producer, film-maker, broadcaster, and pianist/composer. He is one of the most prominent and widely published writers on topics in American music. As an orchestral administrator and advisor, he has been a pioneering force in the development of … [more] about Joseph Horowitz

About Unanswered Question

When a few years ago Doug McLennan invited me to write an ArtsJournal blog, I thought about it and said no. Having been born as long ago as 1948, I remain somewhat a stranger to the internet. And, as I am always writing a book (a form of therapy) when I am not producing concerts, I felt I didn't … [more] about The Unanswered Question

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