music geek musings

[johncomic]

When it comes to classical musicians, I have something of a gender bias.

Today's political truism is that "there is no gender distinction among musicians", so I'm very likely talking through my hat here. Be that as it may... when I hear a musician whose work particularly appeals to me, it almost invariably turns out to be a woman.

There are those who create a smooth beautiful sound, whose work says "Listen, I am creating splendrous art that I hope will move you," who are communicating and reaching me through their music. And then there are those with a harsh, edgy, aggressive sound, whose work says "Listen to what I can do!", who are putting themselves on display through their music.

Guess which kind I prefer. And guess which gender corresponds to which kind.

I notice it most with string players, I think... men generally have this scratchy, stringy sound that almost attacks you, where women generally create such a smooth round tone that you might never guess it was created with strings. When I hear an unidentified violinist or cellist, I can usually pick out their gender within a few seconds. A couple of times I've been tripped up by a man who almost sounds like a woman, because it's a man renowned for the loveliness of his sound [e.g., James Ehnes, Mischa Elman].

BTW, this isn't a challenge for people to send me samples and try to trip me up, I'm not trying to brag about my Kreskin-like paranormal abilities ;P ... I'm just saying that I've noticed a pretty strong correspondence here, and it's funny how that happens, considering that there "should" be no audible difference, y'know?