9 Comments
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Charley Gerard's avatar

What about Leon Botstein and his interaction with Epstein?

Olivia Giovetti's avatar

I’ve covered that multiple times since 2023.

Anders's avatar

The number thing is often used by numerically ”gifted” to show their superiority that they see the underlying ”system” others - less gifted- don’t Its an old trick

Anders's avatar

The Germans would call it Herrschaftstechnik (yes in one word)

Musical Dialogues's avatar

Interesting article, though I think the title casts some aspersions on Beethoven and his music that are unwarranted - but the institutions of the arts have a bad track record with people like Epstein. This is further exposure of that.

Olivia Giovetti's avatar

No aspersions on Beethoven or his music. The critique in both the title and the post is about who claims cultural authority through Beethoven, not about Beethoven's work.

Musical Dialogues's avatar

And it’s a terrific piece. It brings to mind other abusers hidden in these arts institutions - James Levine by the Opera, then the whole scandal at the NY Phil with two of its musicians who were abusive. It’s a problem.

ALESSANDRO BRUNO's avatar

Do you really think - although the article doesn’t really explore this aspect, but I’m curious - that Epstein listened to Beethoven? Let alone liked his music? Or was his musical and art appreciation an aspect of his act, as a Beethoven fan, I can’t imagine that whatever appreciation of Beethoven was genuine on his part.

Olivia Giovetti's avatar

The NYT article about his cello mentions him borrowing a bunch of Jacqueline du Pré CDs and never returning them, which I think (and this is just my opinion) is about the extent to which he interacted with the music as a listener.