Perception of Genius and Disability<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Western classical musicians and composers have received many forms of reviews and critiques from all sorts of musicians and musicologists alike. Some of the more famous ones including Mozart, Beethoven, Liszt, Haydn, and others have been put into a category of genius. This category is frozen in time, and their achievements as musical phenomenon\u2019s will never change. However, through the interpretation of these musicians and understanding their backgrounds, one can deduce the thought process that went into this label. Being a genius in the musical world, especially one of the previously mentioned artists, means that the individual has a complete mastery of his or her instrument, and that their virtuosity in their chosen field is so comprehensible that their technique and knowledge is without a doubt the characteristic of a genius. However, some of these composers had disabilities that they were born with or that developed during their careers. Three specific musical composers in the 20th<\/sup> century also showed similar praise of critics and fans alike and had physical disabilities that caught the attention of the general public. The topic of disability is very interesting, especially in this situation. Often times a musician\u2019s disability can cloud the eyes of society to the point where the ability to overcome their disability is what makes the musician a genius, not their actual music itself. Django Reinhardt, Ray Charles, and Stevie Wonder are three musicians who transformed jazz, rhythm, and blues genres for the entire world. The early 20th<\/sup> century was extremely developmental for music, and individuals such as these three musicians were at the forefront of this musical shift. These musicians all have physical disabilities, however that is not what made them geniuses. By looking at trendsetting and revolutionary artists such as Django Reinhardt, Ray Charles, and Stevie Wonder, it is possible to explain how public society might mistakenly label these individuals geniuses based on their ability to overcome their disability, rather than acknowledging their true musical talent and \u201cunorthodox\u201d playing styles.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In order to define \u201cgenius\u201d, one must examine a composer who is notorious for their virtuosity and known for their vigor and composition. Franz Liszt was a composer and performer, widely regarded as one of the most talented virtuosos of his time and a certified genius by many musical critics and musicians. For example, \u201cFirst and foremost, Liszt was a colossal pianist, the most awesome virtuoso of his era, who in his playing and his compositions for piano pushed the boundaries of technique, texture and sound.\u201d1<\/sup><\/a>Tommasini, Anthony. “For Liszt, Experimentation Was a Form of Greatness.” The New York Times. August 23, 2011. Accessed December 08, 2020.<\/span><\/span>