If We Change It, They Will Come

12. February 2005 · Comments Off on If We Change It, They Will Come · Categories: imported, Ramble

Or at least that’s the belief of some.

I’ve written about this before. Our symphony audiences are aging. Orchestras are trying various gimmicks to lasso the younger set. Somehow it doesn’t seem to be working for a good number of orchestras.

Norman Lebrecht has some thoughts on this, and has written about it here.

I like a lot of what he has to say. I do wonder about doing later concerts, and think it might be an interesting thing to try. Trouble is, not only has the audience aged … I have as well! Hmmm. I wonder if I could stay awake for a late night performance! I don’t care much for a one hour concert; the limitations of repertoire bug me. (But I’m easily bugged!) I definitely like the fact that he didn’t suggest we play videos on a big screen and use the music as accompaniment. That was nice of him!
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Music Quote

12. February 2005 · Comments Off on Music Quote · Categories: imported, Quotes

Sunshine can burn you, food can poison you, words can condemn you, pictures can insult you; music cannot punish — only bless.

-Artur Schnabel, Austrian pianist and teacher (from Music and the Line of Most Resistance)

(Note: I put this up with a bit of a smile — I’ve been “burned” by music. I’ve suffered “poisonous” music. I’ve been insulted. And, when I’ve played poorly, I’ve felt condemned. Go figure.)
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