I have always found it odd that with Edward Elgar’s affair it is often dressed up as cute (“snowflake”) and a necessary part of his artistic pursuit of inspiration, but when Alma Mahler did the same it was an act of devastation for her poor husband. I don’t mean to moralise about people’s lives or marriages, it’s just the inconsistency that I find disturbing. Composers seem to get away with a lot in the name of genius.
It seems the same is true of Brand, who when he was talking revolutionary politics was able to get away with his hiding-in-plain-sight abusive behaviour and demeanour, and is clearly the top of a huge iceberg that people would rather sink than deal with. I liked Marina Hyde’s piece but notice The Guardian - my go-to paper - are not remotely acknowledging the extent to which they enabled Brand. I hope something is changing for the better, but if it is it appears to be moving at a glacial pace.
The headline in slipped disc that broke the story made me furious, referring to a 'singer incident'. Another critic complicit in the problematic power structures.
This is a really, really important and well-written article - I am very thankful to you for it and have passed it on to a number of people - in particular music journalists I know here in Germany.
Thank you Leah - I certainly wouldn’t have the stomach to read Musk’s biography. Is there any reference to a cultural life? Does he have a favourite novel, a favourite symphony? A favourite poet? Does he go to the theatre?
This is a brilliant read and very topical.
I have always found it odd that with Edward Elgar’s affair it is often dressed up as cute (“snowflake”) and a necessary part of his artistic pursuit of inspiration, but when Alma Mahler did the same it was an act of devastation for her poor husband. I don’t mean to moralise about people’s lives or marriages, it’s just the inconsistency that I find disturbing. Composers seem to get away with a lot in the name of genius.
It seems the same is true of Brand, who when he was talking revolutionary politics was able to get away with his hiding-in-plain-sight abusive behaviour and demeanour, and is clearly the top of a huge iceberg that people would rather sink than deal with. I liked Marina Hyde’s piece but notice The Guardian - my go-to paper - are not remotely acknowledging the extent to which they enabled Brand. I hope something is changing for the better, but if it is it appears to be moving at a glacial pace.
The headline in slipped disc that broke the story made me furious, referring to a 'singer incident'. Another critic complicit in the problematic power structures.
Yes I didn't have time to mention them all...
Hello Leah,
This is a really, really important and well-written article - I am very thankful to you for it and have passed it on to a number of people - in particular music journalists I know here in Germany.
Best,
Mary Ellen Kitchens
Board Member, Archiv Frau und Musik, Frankfurt
Thank you so much - I'm both glad and sad that it resonated. L
This is an exceptionally insightful analysis, thank you for writing it!
Thank you for reading, I'm glad it was useful!
Thank you Leah - I certainly wouldn’t have the stomach to read Musk’s biography. Is there any reference to a cultural life? Does he have a favourite novel, a favourite symphony? A favourite poet? Does he go to the theatre?
The thing Isaacson discussed the most is that he plays an awful lot of computer games, but not much explored other than that