2005-10-08

Yesterday, I went to a modern music concert. Usually, I find something that turns me off the group. But that was not the case yesterday. Try as I might, the ensemble seemed to be doing everything in a striving for perfection. Their composition and performance both yearned for a ... no, an expression of ideas. While everyone is always doing that, I am usually not convinced by it. Yesterday was different, I felt they were reaching for perfect expression. I don't know, I just appreciated their efforts. What's more interesting was that I wanted to leave as soon as the music was done. I didn't want to ask questions, hob-nob with the performers or the composers, or sip some wine while everyone else did that. I couldn't have that. The music had shown me the pure, noble side of these people and, I knew, if I stayed any longer, my perception of them would invariably become stained by their personalities, behaviour, speech patterns, etc. It already started happening as I was trying to make my exit. I noticed their choices of alcohol, their conversations with each other, etc. I really wanted to leave. So badly did I desire it that I couldn't wait for the elevator - I walked down the stairs to avoid waiting with others for the elevator.
Upon ruminating further with a friend, I decided that there are two sides to people - their personalities and their visions. I've found personalities are a much more subjective issue - they can be great but not appeal to me or they can be really shitty and totally win me over. It's so subjective that I'm sort of afraid to subject the visions of people to their personalities. If I've only experienced their visions, I would be wont to know who they are - my perception of those people is as high as it can get. Meeting those people will not only reduce my consideration of them but also, sadly, of their vision. That's ultimately why I left as quickly as I did. That is all.

1 comment:

  1. i can't believe i'm only reading this now! i completely agree with the sentiments here espoused. i actually have come to dislike knowing people at concerts and feeling compelled to stay and shmooze. it cheapens the music and makes a possibly exaulting experience inescapably mundane.

    is rudeness my only remaining option?

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