Ganging up on Sumi Hahn

A critical brouhaha is developing over Sumi Hahn’s review of Lang Lang and the Seattle Symphony.  In the classical music world that means five comments or so.  Sumi and I have different opinions of the concert; she didn’t like Lang Lang’s performance, while I did.  Nevertheless, what seems to be bothering folks the most is her style and the way she describes music and the performances she heard.  I actually like Sumi’s style quite a bit.  Sometimes it is a little over the top.  Maybe she is too descriptive too often.  But, I can tell you from my own experience that writing about music is one of the hardest things anyone can do.  I blankly stared at my computer monitor on more than one occasion trying to find the right words to describe a piece of music or a performance. I wish I could write with as much color as Sumi does.  Give Sumi a break.  Disagree with her opinion of the performance, but don’t fault her style.  That goes for what is published on TGN as well.  Comments are always welcome, especially if you are challenging our authority as classical music opinion shapers.   

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