Is it true that musical sound takes on a life of its own in the mind of anyone or everyone who hears it?

How else account for the different versions of "The Saint James Infirm'ry" by so many music greats? How else account for the unmistakable touch of Artur Rubinstein playing Chopin or Glenn Gould's Bach? All question of taste aside there is a lot of room for play here--literally.

If that is so, why aren't we prepared to deal with a similar range of play in relation to our own playing, or that of our friends? Why are we (perhaps I mean specifically we piano teachers) so intent on all young learners sounding the same?

Why is deviation regarded as threatening in one part of town while warmly praised in another?