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RE: thoughtful answer

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Todd Krieger

In Reply to: RE: thoughtful answer posted by docw on March 12, 2008 at 13:25:11

"Classical music will die if we remain unappealing to the masses."
The problem is the masses have been conditioned into choosing their entertainment based on what the media feeds them, and the accompanying peer pressure. We could play Horowitz in front of their noses, but they'd have no idea what they're listening to, and since it doesn't have any semblance whatsoever to Linkin Park or Madonna, they'll just brush it aside......
The root of the problem in my opinion is network media. NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX, Time, Newsweek, etc. ..... The core component of our plastic society. The chances of music in any form surviving as we know it is breaking down this monolith like the old Ma Bell, and the new media thinks more-individually...... Which maybe will force those making entertainment choices to think more on their own..... But this idealistic view has just about zero chance of becoming reality. (I'd also disband all network-TV-run "awards" shows, save for the Oscars.)

Edits: 03/12/08 03/12/08

Follow Ups:

RE: thoughtful answer - docw 11:46:56 03/13/08 (3)
thanks, Todd Krieger.

Unfortunately, when I posted something fun, people here got upset. And dared to attack Vivaldi's and Sarah Chang's work.
- I think you got it wrong, big time� - David Aiken 16:40:54 03/13/08 (2)
  I've seen no attacks on Vivaldi, nor any criticism of Sarah Chang.
  
  What has been criticised is classical music marketing, too many versions of the 4 Seasons, and my comments that YouTube doesn't so much promote interest in music as serve as a vehicle for marketing artists.
  
  David Aiken
  - Sir... - docw 21:08:25 03/13/08 (1)
    that is more accurate, but we're typing past each other. Hope you're well in Australia.
    
    I still feel the same, and I will post other stuff (fluff) occasionally. That's what this forum is for. I told you already, we as a family unit love Sarah.
    
    I concede, yes, you have a point. I agree completely with you about marketing and lack of focus on the music and art form, as opposed to the artist, etc. That's why we have young superstars that are yet unproven, and critical acclaim for many I really don't like.
    - RE: Sir... - David Aiken 23:37:40 03/13/08 (0)
      I think it's sad that music, and artists, have become commodities and, worse, that this is true for the other arts as well. There's an old saying about knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing and I think that's what we're coming to.
      
      I actually think Vivaldi was a great composer, after all anyone Bach thought enough of to steal from shamelessly had to be reasonably damn good. It's also worth considering that the willingness of Bach and other great composers of the nineteenth century and earlier to "steal shamelessly" and therefore honestly espouse the view that plagiarism is the sincerest form of flattery make a real and amusing mockery of digital rights and the current situation with music being treated as a commodity in every sense of the word. I'm all for seeing artists and composers get their "fair share" but I also wonder whether they didn't somehow do better at that a couple of centuries ago when copyright law and courts didn't exist, and someone like Bach could expropriate and re-arrange the work of someone like Vivaldi and we all benefited.
      
      And, yes, I do own a copy of the 4 Seasons in my collection but I do think one is enough. I think great works like it lose their freshness when they become 'flavour of the day' and treated the way they are in a world in which they have become commodities. I think we do need to listen to new music as well if the old is to retain any sort of freshness, and I also think that listening to new music helps us to listen to old music with fresh ears. I genuinely feel that we certainly do need fresh ears for old works if they are to continue to bring us joy. We also need open ears for new works so that we don't make the mistake of judging them in terms of older works and instead can come to see and appreciate them for what they offer rather than simply criticising them for how they differ from what we're familiar with.
      
      David Aiken

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