If the idea of reading is to get to the point, it becomes more and more evident to me that the point in music has to have something to do with spontaneity. The best way to evoke that is to cultivate listening for spontaneity, and the best way to do that is to listen to new music by young composers (some of whom are more involved with spontaneity than others, but it is interesting to taste the difference in music that is being performed for the first time).
There is not just the spontaneity of the composer, but also of the performer--many of whom, let's face it, are terrified at the prospect. Nothing in their training prepares them for what might happen if they let go.... I have performed with musicians who would never let anything really happen while in the midst of a huge uplift by Dvorak, say, or Beethoven. Everything would stay measurable and safe, impervious either to criticism or judgment. Who cares?
I say let it rip.
