How to Write Irrelevant Criticism, Or Another Look at Bartok's Second Piano Concerto

John GibbonsThis is what you do:

• Be angry, because a piece is too hard for you.
• Be annoyed, because a piece reminds you of Stravisnky (and you’ve decided You’re Just Not That Into Stravinsky).
• Listen to a much better piece immediately before the piece you’re going to criticize.
• Drink some fine Belgian beers, immediately before making criticisms.
• Associate the musical “isms” in the piece with political “isms” that followed in the next decade, creating the Second World War.
• Focus on irrelevant aspects of a piece’s structure.
• Be preparing equally accomplished, and more charming, Martinu piano concertos for that very week’s classes.

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