All in the mind

An interesting article about performing from memory.

I agree that it often has as many disadvantages (maybe more) as it has advantages. This article also offers a brief history of the custom of memorization

As a percussionist who usually plays without accompaniment, I face the problem of having my hands full with no rests available to turn pages. In pieces like Mackey's See Ya Thursday (rests for page turns are built in to the piece) or Druckman's Reflections on the Nature of Water (separate movements that require no turns) it is possible to read the score, but in a piece like Ewazen's Northern Lights there is nowhere to turn a page without breaking the mood of the piece.

Flat panel displays may soon change this for all of us. They offer the ability to scroll music by or to do page turns with a foot pedal. They can even be designed to "listen" to what you are playing and turn the pages at a predetermined spot.

All in the mind | Classical and opera | Guardian Unlimited Music