I've not enough time to do a line-by-line consideration of what's been
presented here, but *based solely on the short excerpt given here* and
being what I consider to be an open-minded person, who nevertheless
relishes an intellectual punch-up, I'd challenge anyone to defend most
of what he says as more than sixth-form essay standard. It's a shame
really, 'cause it's an important set of ideas which Reynolds addresses.
I am interested in reading the book though - I'd happy if he
demonstrates that we're all wrong and he's right, and perhaps he does
indeed do that in the rest of the book.
So. I'm not going to indulge in ad-hominem arguments - and I'd suggest
that no one here should. For me, these are never acceptable, but in
this case, they certainly don't appear to be even necessary. After all,
his thesis should stand or fall on the soundness of his reasoning only
right?
Having said all that, one thing which I can resonate with is the need
to cull excessive reverence toward any type of movement in music. To
me, that's pretty superfluous too.
k
