AW.: Re: AW.: Something got done

In einer Nachricht vom 12/12/99 2:41:17 AM (MEZ) Mitteleurop�ische
Zeitschreibt Afmmjr@aol.com:

<< There is nothing classical about the word microtone for it was always said
in
derision. >>

I've never heard anything derisive about the Greek enharmonic genera.

But using a word wrongly -- for example the current demonization in the US of
the word '"liberal" (especially by persons who are themselves economic
liberals) -- can be a real source of derision. As long as "microtonal" is so
inflated as to include anything, it will itself be a term of derision rather
than of distinction.

I will have to respectfully disagree with my esteemed colleague, Daniel Wolf.
The "enharmonic genus" of ancient Greece did become an object of derision.
There is the story of how Euripides, a self-admitted proponent of the "old"
enharmonic was banished from Athens.

Euripides, a historical microtonalist, moved to a cave on the island of
Salamis. His cave was recently rediscovered. It seems that when he died,
islanders were quick to label his remaining possessions.

Another story involves the Thracian Timotheous who was a kithara virtuoso
(small k to distinguish from the giant Kithara of Partch). Timotheous was
banished from Sparta for adding extra strings to the kithara (a hybrid
instrument that was built as a harp with the bottoms of the strings brought
close together for strumming capability).

Timotheous, who by every reputation was a monster with technique, sought
council from none other than Euripides' cave on Salamis. Wouldn't I love to
be the proverbial fly on the wall, or would it all be just Greek to me?

Johnny Reinhard
AFMM