This discussion reminds me (being very old) of something similar when Bob Dylan played electric guitar in the second half :-) Whilst understanding things (I do remember the upset when one guy had the audacity to turn up at a traditional folk club with, of all things, a GUITAR!). Of course it does depend on what one is trying to portray. Just because an instrument has been around a while, doesn't mean it has to be played in a certain way nor, I may add, in a certain context. Being in the UK where we have the origins that the ren fairs attempt to emulate, there still are plenty of spoofs (and I am quite sure the buxom barmaids at the ren fairs don't all have rotten teeth to get the authentic look either nor many have their teeth blacked out either - although maybe some do). Sometimes we really do have to put our instincts down a peg or two and accept things for what they are. FUN. Quite different to an academic stance and should be seen as that. Being critical of performer's skill is OK (within reason) but genre and style maybe less so. I'm afraid, where music is concerned, I'm very open-minded and pretty well anything goes. I don't bother listening or watching stuff I don't like but I do uphold the right for others to do what they want. We should be laid back over this lest others think that we belong to that group that says (in funny voice) "Oh, that <insert object here> wasn't invented until ten days after this is supposed to be set". I am, I'm afraid, very guilty of this with swashbuckling tales set in the 1700's when watching a sailor play the concertina - and a late 19thC one to boot! Does it matter in a film? No. Would it matter in a history lesson - Yes. I think the main point for complaint would be if it was stated as an authentic reproduction or not (I doubt it was). If it wasn't then the "feel" of the evening is what counts, not the authenticity - to me, at any rate.
Colin Hill ----- Original Message ----- From: Bruno Fournier To: [email protected] Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 3:05 AM Subject: Re: [HG-new] Hurdy-gurdy video Sorry but if you post a video and then send an email to the list to view it, why should you expect everyone to like it? I initially said that I thought the performance to be poor and pathetic. I have a right to my opinion, just like the people who wrote back to the list in praise of that performance. Of course taste is subjective, I like Dijon mustard, some people don't like Dijon mustard... If one cannot criticize a video posted on the list, then I shall abstain. Bruno On Wed, Dec 9, 2009 at 9:14 PM, Sergio F. Ribnikov <[email protected]> wrote: Bighatlady, Even though the hurdy gurdy cannot really be heard, I enjoyed the video! Bruno, it would be interesting to listen to your music. You are surely quite gifted. 30 years of playing, wow! A shame your site does not work. Now I`d sincerely suggest you to spend at least one year of your remaining many years in learning a bit of modesty and humility... and how to write a worth-reading comment . Moreover, if you feel tired of what other people enjoy, I suggest you to rest, sleep or hibernate from the scene (but please don´t babble or snore in the mailing list). Guys, keep up showing us what you do!!! 2009/12/9 <[email protected]> Ditto, Bruno, as to 30 years in the biz and all that you say about "medieval feast, banquet scene, medieval wedding scene" -- plus renfests -- and playing multiple instruments (viola da gamba, h-g, vielle, crummhorns, recorders, harps, cornamuse, and rumble pot) -- yes, it's a tough gig, but I'm still having fun at it, and sometimes I hit a bad note, and maybe I'm not 100% authentic all the time. But I have seen three or four groups along the way that were so authentic that they put me to sleep around verse 23. By the way, tried to see your website, but it seems to be down at the moment. Cheers, Alice www.hobgoblinhill.com In a message dated 12/9/2009 6:54:46 P.M. Central Standard Time, [email protected] writes: Maybe a bit harsh, but as a musician specializing in early music for the past 30 years, and the last 10 in medieval music, I find it pathetic that we are still finding groups ridiculing this music and making buffoons out of themselves. Incidentally I do not pretend to play shawm or bombard well, but I play it better than this guy. And yes it does take a lot of breath, but if you can't hack it, don't play it. The problem with all those medieval feasts, is that the public doesn't care about the music , the context or even if its remotely authentic.....they just want to have background noise and have a good laugh. I've done the medieval feast, banquet scene, medieval wedding scene, etc, and I'm tired of it. Bruno www.estavel.org -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "hurdygurdy" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/hurdygurdy The rules of posting, courtesy, and other list information may be found at http://hurdygurdy.com/mailinglist/index.htm. To reduce spam, posts from new subscribers are held pending approval by the webmaster. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "hurdygurdy" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/hurdygurdy The rules of posting, courtesy, and other list information may be found at http://hurdygurdy.com/mailinglist/index.htm. To reduce spam, posts from new subscribers are held pending approval by the webmaster. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "hurdygurdy" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/hurdygurdy The rules of posting, courtesy, and other list information may be found at http://hurdygurdy.com/mailinglist/index.htm. To reduce spam, posts from new subscribers are held pending approval by the webmaster. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "hurdygurdy" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/hurdygurdy The rules of posting, courtesy, and other list information may be found at http://hurdygurdy.com/mailinglist/index.htm. To reduce spam, posts from new subscribers are held pending approval by the webmaster.
