May 5, 2010

Stravinsky for the defense

[T]he [Wisconsin Tax Appeals] Commission stated, "There is no direct or concrete correlation between attending a concert and learning." This is an unreasonable statement that shows either a lack of knowledge about classical music or a misperception of what is meant by learning. To be educated in the appreciation of music is one of the pillars of a classical education. As Igor Stravinsky explained when speaking of the work of classical composer, Robert Schumann, "Schumann is the composer of childhood . . . because children learn some of their first music in his marvelous piano albums."
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Inc. v. Dept. of Revenue, 2010 WI 33, ¶158 (Roggensack, J., dissenting).

Justice Roggensack discovered, on balance, more educational than entertainment value in the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra's Youth Concert Series. It's hard to disagree with that, although Schumann is not as likely to be any kid's initial exposure to music nowadays.

Of course the Commission's statement is facially preposterous.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

so they owe bach taxes

Free Lunch said...

Anonymous, that is so bad. I love it.

Anonymous said...

if you liked that, see the "bizarro" comic from monday or tuesday of this week. by the way, mr. I.T. may remember an earlier comment i posted that managed to include an Offenbach reference.

illusory tenant said...

I do indeed.