Now that Bruce Carlson is here.....

[David Burgess]

Mauricio, I'll bet there's a good musical metaphor, but we might need to reach from both ends to arrive at it. (Mauricio is a pro violinist)

Bruce used, "He played every note, and in tune, but musically it was a

disaster."

I'll add that "too much care" can lose some humanity.

If you come back from your end , perhaps we can intersect.

[Mauricio]

Thanks, I asked because this description of style has been ascribed to some of the old masters, too. I personally like it, but agree that it takes skill to perform in such a way.

I think I got it, David, a serious case would be over embellishment in a performance. It can be sickening, like... Nope, not mentioning any names here!

[Dean_Lapinel]

I think that this speed thing is about confidence of execution and is something that can be recognised but is very hard to put into words! I might be kidding myself but I think I can spot it in other crafts, arts, dancing or sports and other of lifes aciivities that I never did...I think you can recognise it too Mauricio

I like the way Melvin frames this concept "other crafts" and I agree completely. It is hard to put into words and this promotes the general feeling by some that this is simply BS but it's not. I guess one could use the term artistic flair ... a term that suggests the artisan is in control and made a choice.

One of my favorite contemporary artists is Richard Schmid. When you watch him paint he is deliberate, fast, bold and masterful in his decision as to when to stop painting. I think the same applies to violin making though there is less room for artistic freedom (at least in competitions).

[bean_fidhleir]

David wrote:

Bruce used, "He played every note, and in tune, but musically it was a

disaster."

I'll add that "too much care" can lose some humanity.

As is said about the work of some graphic-type artists (painters and similar): "all technique, no heart". Or, more vaguely, "flawless, but it doesn't appeal".