As musicians, we often hear about striving for authenticity in our performances. "Authenticity" usually means staying true to a piece's historical or cultural context. This can involve using period instruments, following old manuscripts, or playing in the style of the composer’s era. But what about being genuine—playing from the heart, with personal expression, even if it means bending the “rules?”

I would argue that while authenticity has its place, a genuine performance reaches more people. Music, after all, is about connection. It’s about moving listeners and making them feel something. So, how do we balance the two? Let’s explore the difference between these concepts and why being genuine often makes a more significant impact.

What Does It Mean to Be Authentic?

An authentic performance attempts to recreate the music as closely as possible to how it would have sounded when it was written. For example:

• Using a harpsichord instead of a modern piano for Baroque music.
• Avoiding vibrato in Renaissance vocal pieces because vibrato (as we know it) was not used widely then.
• Choosing tempos based on historical documents or markings from the composer.

Authenticity can also extend to style and interpretation. This includes phrasing, articulation, and dynamics that align with the norms of the composer’s time. It’s like stepping into a musical time machine to honor the composer’s original intentions.

This approach provides a deep sense of satisfaction. You feel like you’re paying tribute to the composer and the traditions of their time. However, authenticity also has limitations.

The Limits of Authenticity

While authentic performances can be fascinating, they might not always connect with modern audiences. Historical practices can sound unusual to today’s ears, and a smaller Baroque ensemble might feel thin or unfamiliar if an audience is used to lush orchestral sounds.

Another challenge is that we can never truly know what a piece sounded like when it was first performed. Instruments have changed, performance spaces have evolved, and music notation doesn’t capture everything. In the end, authenticity is an interpretation—a well-researched guess.

More importantly, strict authenticity can sometimes put the performer in a box. It might discourage personal expression and creativity, turning music into a history lesson rather than a living, breathing art form. Of course, this is not always the case.

What Does It Mean to Be Genuine?

A genuine performance is all about honesty and heart. It’s about playing the music in a way that feels true to you and your audience. It might not stick to every historical detail, but it’s sincere.

For example, a genuine performance might:

• Add vibrato to a piece where it’s not historically accurate because it feels more expressive.
• Use a modern instrument or tuning if it helps create a sound you love.
• Take liberties with tempo or dynamics to make a phrase more emotional.

Being genuine doesn’t mean ignoring the composer’s intentions or the historical context. It means bringing your own voice into the mix. A genuine performer asks, “How does this piece speak to me, and how can I communicate that to my audience?”

Why Genuine Performances Resonate

A genuine performance has the power to connect because it prioritizes communication and emotion. When you play with sincerity, audiences can sense it. They might not know the historical rules you’ve broken, but they’ll know if your performance moved them.

Music is, at its core, a shared experience. People don’t come to concerts for a history lecture—they come to feel something. They want to be transported, comforted, or inspired. A genuine performance taps into these universal emotions.

Even composers themselves often prioritized emotional impact over strict rules. Beethoven broke conventions all the time to say what he wanted musically. Why shouldn’t we?

Can You Be Both Authentic and Genuine?

The good news is that authenticity and genuineness aren’t mutually exclusive. You can strive for a historically informed performance while also making it your own. The key is balance.

For example:

• If you’re playing Bach, you might use historically informed bowings but interpret the phrasing in a way that feels natural to you.
• If you’re performing a Mozart concerto, you might adhere to classical stylistic norms but add cadenzas that are outside those norms.

Think of authenticity as a foundation. It gives you tools and knowledge to respect the composer’s world. But don’t let it stifle your creativity. Use that foundation to build a performance that is personal and heartfelt.

Why Genuine Performances Matter More

At the end of the day, audiences remember how you made them feel. A flawless, authentic performance that lacks emotion might not leave much of an impression. But a genuine performance—even if it breaks a few historical “rules”—can leave people inspired, moved, and changed.

So, should your performance be authentic or genuine? I believe genuineness wins every time. Be true to the music, but also be true to yourself and your audience. After all, music is a living art. It’s meant to be felt, not just studied.