My philosophy about recording

There are two categories of “Recordings”:
1. Creative
2. Documentary

For 1, the recording itself is the work of art. True of especially electro-acoustic works – Orange Planet, Dancing bears, etc.. Also true of works created over a period of time – Rumbango, Crock Pop…. These can be re-created in a live setting with more or less fidelity to the original, but the original creation was formed in the studio over time, and is the ultimate source.

For 2, the recording is merely a document – a literally a “record” – of a concert work, that is, a work meant to be performed live with an audience of keen listeners. Example: Odd Beethoven. The recording, which can be (and hopefully is) pleasurable to listen to,  is merely a gateway into the actual. It also serves as a reference of how the work SHOULD sound, in case anyone wonders – or the composer is not around to set the record straight.