Hi James, I really enjoyed your performance and found it both beautifully AND majestically played. I wonder if that commenter was merely joking?
This exchange reminded me of something a professor once told me, which I will here paraphrase: "The composer knew what he was doing when he composed this piece. The majesty is built into the work. Simply perform the work and let the composition itself do the rest."
It also reminds me of something I heard just a few days ago. "If someone is being unkind to you, always remember that no one will say anything to you that doesn't reflect how they feel about themselves at that moment."
You made a great point (well, two great points) in particular in this post. First, when one shares one's recorded/livestreamed, etc., performance, it is a contribution. In the case of the organ, it is a contribution to a great tradition. There's no need to reinvent the wheel, as they say, and each person's "take" is completely unique. Performers should feel proud of their work and of the musical thread they weave into the tapestry of a great tradition by means of contributing to the continuation of that great tradition.
The other great point you made is that a few extra dollars in one's pocket never hurts, so if one can monetize, why not do so? This is likely a sentiment to which every musician will say "Amen!" :v)
Thanks for your feedback. Good to hear your point of view also.
Interesting!