Laying down the Law

Performing musicians have something in common with judges. Each receives a traditionary text from an earlier time, and each is obliged to interpret the text in their present circumstances. The Judge and the Musician must immerse themselves in historical research to uncover the original intention of the text. However, no matter how deeply one searchs, the ground has shifted since the original was conceived, and one must interpret the text in the context of ones own time. In both disciplines there is a long history of other interpretations that must be consulted in order to understand the text in question. These interpretive traditions are extremely deep, and require a lifetime of study, there is no quick way to this sort of knowledge! Furthermore, there is no way to go back to a legitimate "original", for it can not exist in Music or in Law. An attempt to recreate the original version results in something like a facsimile of a facsimile, etc. These facsimiles are like the mass produced copies of famous works of art. The fact that time doesn't stand still further complicates the task, as the interpreter must be constantly changing to remain current.