Playing, singing is not merely a matter of expertise [...] the industry wants you to think that’s the case [...] the real question is, “what do you have to say?” [...] Your job is to keep people up at night.

I can’t listen and still type well or I’d get more down here. (I think I’ll look for a transcript of the speech.) For now, though, go here and listen to pianist and scholar Robert Levin speak at the 2009 Curtis commencement. It’s worth your time, I promise you.

“You have to make our art new. Without that renewal, it dies.”