A Young Lady's Repertoire

[slane]

Reading through the "stupid things non pianists say" thread made me wonder if some of the people complaining about the reception of their performance may not have been violating Florence Hartley's advice on choosing repertoire, laid out in 1860 in her book "THE LADIES' BOOK OF ETIQUETTE, AND MANUAL OF POLITENESS.
A COMPLETE HAND BOOK FOR THE USE OF THE LADY IN POLITE SOCIETY."

i know I have!

"A party is assembled—music is one of the diversions. Forth you step, and, with a just apprehension of the difficulties of your task, select one of those immortal[187] compositions which the most eminent have made their study; you execute it wonderfully, only just falling a little short of all the song should be; only just provoking a comparison, in every mind, with a high standard, present in the memory of every cultivated musician near you. A cold approval, or a good-natured "bravo!" with, believe me, though you do not hear it, a thorough, and, often, expressed conviction that you had better have left the thing alone, follows the effort which has merely proclaimed the fact that, spite of time and money spent upon the cultivation of your voice, you are but a second-rate singer.

But, choose a wiser, a less pretending, a less conspicuous path. Throw your knowledge into compositions of a less startling, less aspiring character. Try only what you can compass. Be wise enough not to proclaim your deficiencies, and the critics will go away disarmed, even if they are not charmed. But if there be any voice, any feeling, any science, the touching melody, made vocal by youth and taste, will obtain even a far higher degree of encomium than, perhaps, it actually merits. You will please—you will be asked to renew your efforts. People will not be afraid of cadenzas five minutes long, or of bravuras, every note of which makes one hope it may be the last.

It is true that, to a person who loves music, the performance of one of the incomparable songs of Bellini, Rosini, Flotow, or Mozart, is an actual delight—but; when attempted by a young amateur, it should be, like many other delights, confined to the private circle, and not visited upon society in general."

Good advice I think written in a time when accomplished women took the place of CD players.

[j_menz]

Good advice I think written in a time when accomplished women took the place of CD players.

Good advice indeed, and ignored at one's peril.

[outin]

It is true that, to a person who loves music, the performance of one of the incomparable songs of Bellini, Rosini, Flotow, or Mozart, is an actual delight—but; when attempted by a young amateur, it should be, like many other delights, confined to the private circle, and not visited upon society in general."

I think many young people consider their YT account as a private circle 

[j_menz]

I think many young people consider their YT account as a private circle 

If you get the settings right, they more or less are. But even without that, it is possible to get out of listening to some drivel on YT quite easily, whereas in the context of a social gathering, rather more awkward.  One can't claim some dire medical condition has flared up whenever little Jason or Julia is called upon to perform more than twice without risking giving serious offence.

[chopin2015]

If you get the settings right, they more or less are. But even without that, it is possible to get out of listening to some drivel on YT quite easily, whereas in the context of a social gathering, rather more awkward.  One can't claim some dire medical condition has flared up whenever little Jason or Julia is called upon to perform more than twice without risking giving serious offence.

lol

huh? I offend people with my playing? I'm THAT terrible? (Glad I have that reason to give up on life, now.)

[outin]

If you get the settings right, they more or less are. But even without that, it is possible to get out of listening to some drivel on YT quite easily, whereas in the context of a social gathering, rather more awkward.  One can't claim some dire medical condition has flared up whenever little Jason or Julia is called upon to perform more than twice without risking giving serious offence.

As a precaution I do not attend to such gatherings...

[j_menz]

lol

huh? I offend people with my playing? I'm THAT terrible? (Glad I have that reason to give up on life, now.)

I meant Julia generically. 

As a precaution I do not attend to such gatherings...

I take earplugs and a hip flask. 

[slane]

One could always follow Mr Bennett's example and try
"That will do extremely well, child. You have delighted us long enough. Let the other young ladies have time to exhibit."

[chopin2015]

I meant Julia generically. 

I take earplugs and a hip flask. 

oh. my ego taking me on a roller coaster ride, again.