You can play from a score exactly as written but still make the piece sound different to others, without actually changing any notes, but i do not see that changing notes or even entire sections is inartistic if it is done with taste and knowledge that the composer himself might have done the same on occasions.
Thal
Thanks for your answer Thai. Very interesting indeed and I agree with you.
It was just the "automaton" term seemed to put a negative connotation on those who do play the manuscript as
written. I would say that those who play the manuscript as written but do not add their own interpretation and
emotion into the piece are in fact "automatons" and we do see this quite often at recitals.
In terms of adding or subtracting notes, I suppose purists would not do this. But it goes without saying that some
of the greatest pianists, as artists, are not purists and that might be a good thing.
adaubre