state of classical music

[falconscry]

I got lucky. I ended up in a magnet school for the arts in Norfolk, VA that has a classical music program that runs the gamet from putting on Full opera performances to choruses from every age of classical music. I was lucky to find such a program, but I fear that because of cuts is school funding the the arts in all aspects, will stop the future generations from knowing different forms of art and learining how wonderful all music can be. It's everwhere from ads on tv to the radio to the movies. IT affects our emotions , allows us to express ourselves above and beyond what speak alone can do and teaches us more acute communication skills, etc. where would we be without it?

[watcher]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ReedMan:<BR><B>When my children were born, I started exposing them to classical recordings at home. Over the past 6 months I have watched my 10 year old son progress in his piano lessons to the point that he is playing some classical pieces and learning more on his own. He even plays them for friends - all who tend to prefer BackStreet Boys and other pop music groups.<P>Best of all, his achievements in music are self-satisfying and seem to balance his school and sports activities. It's exciting to see another person discover the value of classical music and music education.<P>That's the way to keep classical music alive - educate others and let them pass on their knowledge. Schools need to keep their band, orchestra, choral programs alive - even if it takes Parent funding to make it happen. </B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>

[watcher]

Reedman, let me just say that the bottom part of your posting I whole heartedly agree with, I believe through education, we can keep classical music alive. In this age of hip-hop, britney, christina, all the others out there today, I think it is important to educate today's children about beethoven and the composers in order to keep them alive.

[shostakovich]

I, too, am upset at the lamentable state of musical taste in our society. In the middle of the 18th C. music was written primarily for the nobility, most of whom played music, or even composed. This musical intelligentsia was small in number. "Average musical taste" was refined. In the middle of the 19th C. music was written primarily to satisfy the desires of the wealthy, many of whom played or had music played in their homes, so there was still a cogniscenti to appreciate what the composers had to offer. The listening public had expanded, but it still consisted of a relatively small, educated class. "Average musical taste", by virtue of the larger numbers, would have lowered a bit, but relatively high quality music was still expected. In the middle of the 20th C. came the LP record making music accessible to nearly all. In addition, radio and TV have much to do with forming "average musical taste" for an extraordinarily LARGE group of listeners. This "average musical taste" has been dropped on its head in this century.<BR>I've gone on long enough, but for your consideration: <BR>1) Compare the creators of music 2 centuries ago, 1 century ago, and now.<BR>2) Is it the creators or the audiences that determine the progress of music?<BR>3) Will the best of music survive simply because it is the best, or is it necessary to re-educate people to quality in music before the classics become extinct?

[JasonK]

Lamentable state of music today??? Music for the nobility??? And now why do classical musical lovers get a undeserved rep as being inaccessible and elitest?? Refresh my memory please?<P>I know I may be condemed as a classical heretic and termed the "Incubus" of culture. However, I have some rational behind that. Here it goes:<P>True, Classical music is indeed some of the most inspiring, provactive and enobling works that the human condition has ever produced. It is the embodiment of a talent which makes us all beautiful. Anyone that can create or interpret some of the complicated pieces we hear today on this station truly possess a gift. That is undeniable and I applaud them.<P>However, some of that same beauty can be found in other forms of music as well. Rock, Pop, Jazz, Classical, they are worthy art forms in there own right and can be appreciated in their entirity and complimentary to eachother.<P>I am, as I know you are too, a person who can passionately love Beethoven, Bach, Handel and Mozart. But I still enjoy McCartney, Lennon, Sarah Vaughn, or dare I say, the Cure and Depeche Mode.<P>Granted, their works may be less complicated, but not necessarily less inspiring, just different. <P>Classical and other forms of music are not mutually exclusive...Beauty can be found in all....<P>Being a bass player that does not have the talent to be able to play complicated pieces, I am content in appreciating those that can....and play simple covers of Sting while nobody is listening.<P>People will only come to appreciate the art form when they are not intimidated by it or feel excluded, show them the beauty of classical music and the "unclean masses" will embrace it. For lovers of culture, that cannot be a bad thing. It will bring support and vigor to that which we love.<P>"In My Life, I Have Loved Them All"<P><BR>That being said....I will admit, "The Thong Song" is a cultural travesty....I have no rebuttal there...you got me.<P><BR>

[~Leslie]

Buy recordings often. Attend live performances often. Help to keep the art fresh and alive. Don't let the lowest common denominators and the greedy recording industry take over true art,<BR>and call all the shots.<P>WE STAND FIRMLY ON THE FOUNDATION OF THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US!~<P><p>[This message has been edited by ~Leslie (edited 01-03-2001).]

[JasonK]

Hello again and greetings from the societal gadfly and the musical Incubus.<P>In today's musings, I reply to Leslie, who I see value in her points...but also propose...<P>I agree with the sentiment that we should support those artists that we admire, respect and love....it is only through the support of its patrons that art will flurish.<P>But I believe if music and the arts are to endure, they must be made accessible. Not all will join, not all will appreciate, and that is ok. There are other venues and art forms provided for them to enjoy.<P>However, if the love and passion for classics are to germinate, then children and people of all ways and means have to be brought into the fold and cultivated. They have to be shown the beauty and richness of the motif. Made to feel a contributory and necessary part of it. Classical music deserves, or more so, requires individual inspiration and passion to grow. Once the divine spark for music appreciation is kindled, the love affair will last for a life time. <P>However, that spark will not take hold if people are made to feel excluded from "the club". Talk of music for the nobility and the elite, while degrading other musical forms only serves to isolate others. Instead of being encouraged, new people (i.e. Children, i.e. the future) will shun and neglect the art form....and that is a true loss to us all.<P>Afterall, is not one of the most requested pieces on this station Copeland's, "Fanfare for the Common Man"?<P>So that is why I champion the cause of musical tolerance and rail against elitist and pompous posing. Love of the maestros knows no income levels or societal status. It is something that can be found in us all.<P>As Dylan Thomas wrote, "Rage, rage against the dying of the light! I will not go quietly into that good night!"<P>Yours truly,<P>I gladly encourage other opinions. Inspiring and intellectual conversations are such good sport.<P>

[barfle]

I'm not certain that "Classical" music is all that healthy, but it's possible that a new superstar will appear who has enough sex appeal to GenX and GenY that more interest will be generated in those age groups than exists right now. I'm a season ticket holder to our local symphony orchestra, and they seem to be doing well, with room to improve. The audience seems to be mostly graying baby boomers like myself, or over-the-hill gang retired gentry. One disturbing fact is that the audience is almost universally WASP. The appeal of central and southern European composers does not seem to travel well across racial lines. I have no explanation for this, but I'm admittedly living in a neighborhood where almost everyone looks like me, too. It seems to take a Duke Ellington piece to bring black faces to the audience. (If you get the chance, "Three Black Kings" will knock your socks off!)<P>When our symphony hall opened about 15 years ago, the response in the community was so overwhelming that they had to schedule a second night for all performances in a 3000 seat hall. These days, I figure the hall is maybe half full, although they keep the two nights. They are building a smaller hall, about 2000 seats, for the orchestra so they can use the larger hall for touring Broadway shows without having to dismantle the sets for two days so the orchestra can perform.

[shostakovich]

Hi JasonK, <BR> The talk of music for the nobility was about the 18th C. The educated elite was 19th C. Today's music is for mass audience. Today's classic fans are a definite minority. Elite??? I think so, but that's open to wide debate.<P>Hi Barfle, <BR> Glad you brought up Ellington. Slowly, but surely, he is becoming known as a "serious" composer as well as the popular band leader who wrote a few gems. As black composers go, I'd recommend William Grant Still as the most consistently satisfying "serious" black composer. The English Samuel Coleridge-Taylor is also worth listening to. The list doesn't stop there, but this note does.<BR>Shos

[JasonK]

ohh, not to take your point out of turn. I realize that classical music in the 18th was predominately patroned by the elite....and there was plenty of "baudy" art for the masses...however, given what I know of art and art history...I can not believe that appreciation of the upper crust music was not more prevelant throughout the citizenry....There has always been an element of "us" versus "them" in the music world...one attitude, I personally feel, hurts more than helps. Nobility is not preordained with a right to taste (remember the classic line, too many notes, just take some out)....that attitude pervades the history passed down to us.<BR>History, unfortunately, can be told from only a certain perspective - 25% truth, 50% bias, 25% truth....I am sure that plenty of other people of less than noble origins would have and did appreciate the art given the opportunity to enjoy it....(any way, sometimes I like a spirited conversation

[ReedMan]

Over the past two years, I have noticed that certain retail sources (Best Buy, Media Play) are reducing their classical music space in Colorado Springs. So I have to travel out of town to places like Tower Records (not very convenient) or buy mail order (not as much fun due to the ship time). I used to buy a recording per week when the local selection was good. Now it's more like 6-8 in a year. I recall hearing that classical music sales are 10% of the market and have not changed in quite a while.<BR>Not high growth, but not declining either...

[dreamwarrior]

Just thought I'd toss my two cents in.<P>I would like to say that I'm glad, actually that classical music is so widely used in movies and yes, even cartoons. While I too hope they do not become our only source to hear c.m. They (cartoons)were in fact my first exposure to classical music. I was raised in a small farming community of 500 people. Music in my school system was virtually non-existant. Any medium that can introduce a child to the joy of classical music has to be applauded in my book.<P>I am lucky in the fact that the small community I grew up in is located about 70 miles east of St. Louis, MO. St. Louis (where I now live) has a wonderfull classical music station that I listened to after I discovered the beauty of cm. <P>Even in a city like St. Louis that has a wonderful symphony (one of the top five in the country)the enjoyment of cm has it's share of obsticals. The sympony is currently desperately trying to raise enough money to continue to survive. In a city where we throw millions upon millions at our sports teams (don't get me started) the voters continue to reject supporting the symphony with tax dollars. It is extremely frustrating!!!<P>Jeffrey<BR>