"Worshiping Graven Images"

       Thinking of recordings, thinking of recordings of readings of poetry, or performances of music.  I remember believing that there was one best recording of a work of music, say a symphony, knowing in your heart and experience and understanding that THIS was the top...the definitive recording of this work.  No one, no one else, need try, SHOULD try.

       And then I heard Michael Tilson Thomas, now long serving the San Francisco Symphony as its conductor, when posed with this idea about definitive performances, say, "Anybody who thinks there's only one best recording of a work is worshiping graven images!"

       That put thoughts to the contrary I may have had, including about performances of literature or drama, to REST.   PERIOD.