Perhaps there is no such thing as a definitive performance.

That is a controversial view, since there's surely no such thing as a "definitive" performance of any major part.

Chet Baker's 1955 version is considered the definitive vocal performance.

And yet it's very elusive to try to determine a definitive performance, even a definitive moment, because they change all the time.

They defy casual listening and constitute perhaps the greatest single argument against the notion of a "definitive" performance.

This is the time of season for statement games, definitive performances.

Pennington has to have a definitive performances if the Jets are going to reach the playoffs and win when they get there.

Worse still: Fields's definitive performance in this vein, his Falstaff, never happened at all.

I agree, it was a definitive performance.

It may not be a definitive performance by anyone's standards - especially his own - but one thing it never can be is dull.