Aesthetic Realism and the Art of the Flute An Interview with Barbara Allen in Conversation with Edward Green, PhD

Abstract

In this interview, noted American flutist and music educator Barbara Allen speaks about music, education, and life, and shows how the three explain each other.  The interview centers on her use of the Aethetic Realism teaching method, which was oridinally developed by Eli Siegel, the great poet and philosopher.  Ms. Allen studied with him.  A core idea of Aesthetic Realism is this:  "The world, art, and self explain each other:  each is the aesthetic oneness of opposites."  How success in music, and specifically in the performance of the flute, depends on opposites being made one, is what emerges through conversation between Ms. Allen and Dr. Edward Green of Manhattan School of Music.  In the process, readers will see the relevance of Aesthetic Realism to education in general, and to the cultural understanding of how art and life reflect each other.