Talent pools prior to 1900?

The problem here is, Hume admits that music does invoke emotional reactions contingent upon personal experiences, in fact, he never says otherwise. It's a factor that can't be avoided or brushed under the table as if it has no bearing on a conclusion. I understand precisely what you're saying here, and I'm not disagreeing that comprehension and evaluation are key components in making a sound judgment. The problem is, not all music have the same components in order to do a true comparison. Further, there isn't a universal methodology/criteria in which one evaluates music; because again, that criteria is going to be different to everybody. We aren't dealing with universal constants here, far from it when it comes to music, because of how different each genre can be with their cords and progressions as an example. If you tried to compare the two, which are fundamentally different, you be starting from an unsound position to begin with.

Second, while comprehension and appreciation are important in understanding what you're listening to, that doesn't make you want to listen to it; because again, we go back to music often times being used to invoke a certain emotion or memory or do a task. You're preaching to the choir on Bach, he's simply the best imo, followed by in varies order depending on the day LVB, Mozart, Schubert, Haydn and Brahms. Sorry for that tangent. Anyways, somebody could very well understand how pioneering Debussy harmonic language is when they listen to it, but that doesn't mean they prefer to listen to it when working out, or when their cleaning. Which is exactly why music can't be pigeonholed into just being able to appreciate what you're listening to as being the best, because situations and environment often dictate what we'd like to listen to. So while I understand your points about Hamlet and Bach (they are good ones), just being able to appreciate something for what it is meant to be doesn't mean you'll think it's better than something else.

Third, I'm a bit confused on what you mean by logical progression isn't the right term to use. When you're saying Coltrane is better than Kayne, you would no doubt be using various premises to come to that conclusion would you not? That is how the discussion began, and why you were saying nobody could/should think that.

Another example is, watching and judge fights, and how different a view of a fight can be. This is directly related to the criteria we use to judge them. If I watch Triple G vs. Canelo and feel Triple G won because of his aggression, pressure, or that he simply landed more blows, somebody else could watch it and feel like the harder blows were landed by Canelo or that Canelo was the better ring general that night. One criteria isn't necessarily better than another, and they can both be valid in their own respect. It would again come down to how you judge a fight and what you look for in a fight. Music can be much the same imo. I do like some of the points you've made though, and its been a good discussion with others.

 

What is it that you think these comparisons demonstrate, exactly? Why not address the examples discussed in the quora link? If you disagree with the contention of the various contributors that today's best classical performers play better than their predecessors, please try to explain why.

 

Seems like a fair question. I'll let more versed people discuss its merits. What we do know is, some people today, obviously do it worse, but is better possible for some people today is the question.

 

The problem I have with their argument is that they seem to strictly rely on delivery.
What about the skill it takes to actually dream of a symphony that gets remembered for centuries?
Are we dismissing the genius required to turn a blank page into a multi-century classic?
Is it better to dream up of the song, and perform it, and express it the way your heart desires?
Or is it better to perform that very same song in a more "proficient" manner?

If I can rap on beat better than Nas on Halftime, doesn't mean I'm a better rapper than him.

 

Halftime is such a great track, Illmatic is the greatest rap album of all time imo...