GUSTAV WIND, EMINENT CRITIC

Who the H... is Gustav Wind, Eminent Critic?

To receive a review from the eminent critic, Gustav Wind, is always an unexpected surprise - - and windfall. As The Lyric Chamber Music Society of New York is being acclaimed for its activities, we are, of course, pleased by interest in us in the press. You may have seen Gustav's writing in prestigious publications and learned journals throughout the world, so we are especially delighted by his attention.

Gustav Wind has given us permission to post his writing on our website, alongside our 2009-2010 Season programs, Music Player, Photo Gallery, and myriad of additional treats for the eye and mind. If you have not yet visited our site, please do; and let us know your reactions.

Beware: Gustav Wind has threatened to review our website, to monitor its electronic effectiveness and elegance, and to alert readers to changes, updates, and content he may or may not like.

Please note: The Lyric Chamber Music Society of New York is proud to reproduce the writings (and ravings) of the unique windbag and extraordinary music critic, Gustav Wind. Gustav's high standards are consistent with our own; and we believe that we can stand up to his scrutiny with our world-class artists, world-class concerts, and world-class music-making. We never fear when Gustav is near - - although we cannot say the same for all other critics.

However, his reviews and writing represent the opinion and the writing of Gustav Wind and not of the Lyric Chamber Music Society of New York, which disclaims all responsibility for its content.

Gustav Wind is also publishing his reviews on his new blog

A bit of background: (Lest we misquote or misrepresent Gustav Wind's uniqueness, we add the following, in his own words:)

"First, my customary caveat: writing about music is a very difficult task, even for a most experienced critic like me. Many of my colleagues don't seem to notice the inherent problem in trying to describe a series of sounds which evaporated long ago. They usually chatter on and on, wielding their carving sets, making mincemeat out of the sincere, hardworking, well-intentioned mortals who set themselves the Herculean task of trying to recreate what they think the composer wanted. To complicate the issue, the musicians are always expected to give note-perfect, memorable performances in public."

"Who can really tell you how a symphony orchestra or a single musician sounded last week? I say: no one! I would like to bring their sounds to life, to place them in your ear and mind, to revive the emotions they elicited. Telling you that someone played fast, slow, loud, soft, in English, Italian, or any other language, simply does not achieve the intrinsically impossible goal. Yet we critics must go on, lest we be outdated like the covered wagon and replaced by recordings. I try to report in ways that may make you feel as if you were there, but you weren't; and you can't really know what happened. And if you were there, most often, when you read a review, you wonder if you and the critic were really in the same room at the same time."

"Please let me know your opinion of my writing and reviews. You can write to me at GUSTAVWIND@LYRICNY.ORG. I love getting attention! Please remember to use only the loftiest terms and the most elevated thoughts. Lyric's website and a person of my stature cannot and will not respond to inappropriate language which is so disgustingly prevalent in our society at this time."

"Looking forward to hearing from you (and to seeing you, if you can find me. I am known for my varied disguises, and no one has recognized me yet, in my many venerable years of concert-going and reviewing. As a result, some are naturally curious about my identity, and others have gone so far as to speculate that I am not a man at all but might be a female. What a ridiculous notion! What parent would name a daughter Gustav? Catch me, if you can....)"

Yours,
Gustav Wind, E.C. (Eminent Critic), R.C. (Revered Critic) and
E.G. (Eminence Grise)"

Copyright Gustav Wind 2009. This copyrighted work is the property of the author and may not be reproduced or used without permission of the author.