[NewMusic] slusser's article

[Sarah - 21 Grand]

Mr. Slusser asked:
Maybe that's the point of the gnarly-difficult-boundry
breaking pieces.  They seem to be asking that question,
stretching it to the point where it's experienced as just
a mental excercise, without the satisfaction of what we
enjoy as "music".  ...  Is intent
relevant to the listener?

-- Well, context certainly is. The listener is likely to respond differently
to something presented in a club or concert venue vs. something presented in
a gallery or museum (i.e. something presented as "music" vs. something
presented as "art").  In some ways it's like comedy, if something is
presented as "comedy," an audient assumes it is supposed to be funny. If the
context is unclear, one can form the "wrong" (as in contrary to the artist's
intent) impression.

sl