But not for me

Portland based critic Stephen Marc Beaudoin confirms my suspicion that if so-called educated people are generally not interested in seeing classical music, then who the hell is?  I addressed this very briefly in my NEA "think piece" in Terry Teachout's workshop.  And Alex Ross once touched on this trend a few years ago:

They follow all the other arts—they go to gallery shows, read new novels, see art films. Yet they have never paid money for a classical concert. They almost make a point of their ignorance. “I don’t know a thing about Beethoven,” they say, which is not what they would say if the subject were Henry James or Stanley Kubrick. This is one area where even sophisticates wrap themselves in the all-American anti-intellectual flag.

There is no answer, really.  But it always seemed to me the most devoted listeners were always a little off-center to begin with, and traditionally not raking in the dough.  Think of a Charles Bukowski type rather than a Marketing CEO.  And those types, I assure you, aren't dressing to the nines to go see a concert. OK, so maybe that's your answer after all.    

Comments

[Brian]

Hi Bryant,

I have a theory about this, I think it is just plain laziness. All music if intently listened to, evokes a response, be it a ritualistic drum circle around a camp fire, or Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" late at night. It requires the listener to pay attention and analyze. Music has been delegated to a background role in this society, and I think that is what people are comfortable with. I would guess if you forced someone to stare intently at a Monet(with no other distractions) for the amount of time the average classical piece lasts, most would not be supportive of that either.

I was in a high end audio store the other day, and asked if they even made just stereo amps or receivers anymore(as opposed to surround 5:1 or 7:1 sound). The salesman said to me, "Oh, so you listen to the music?" They only stocked one brand that still makes a 2 channel amp or receiver. The whole surround sound thing delegates the music to a background status.

In these days of Carrie Underwood, Justin Timberlake, etc, classical music, (even some classic rock bands) have the monumental task of taking something that was originally written with meaning and purpose, and make it appeal to people who do not require meaning or purpose from their music.

Okay, down off the soap box for now. Keep searching for ways to allow classical music to appeal to a wider audience, without losing it's original purpose and intensity.

It may well be more of an issue in America too. I studied with Dr Francis Pyle, when in college. He was virtually unknown in America, but was Egypt's favorite composer at that time. He used to let me play a lute presented to him by the King of Egypt, that was very very old and valuable. He lived here in Des Moines, but hardly anyone local knew him or his works. Quite a shame really.

Brian

[Bryant]

Hi Brian,

You're exactly right. It is laziness, and I can even kind of sympathize. I find traditional classical concertgoing stressful because it is sometimes not the most welcoming environment. A concertgoing friend of mine got on me pretty hard for wearing jeans, for instance.

I then went to a new music concert featuring young composers a few days ago and everything was so much more laid back and fun.

I love live music, but the rock/pop shows are just inherently more easygoing. Even jazz doesn't take itself so seriously. I don't like the fostered sense of a cocktail party when I go to listen to music. And why young, prospective listeners would either is beyond me.

[Suzi]

Hey Bryant,
You know what's funny is that summer concerts, free and outdoors, might not be that "Wagnerian" experience (quiet, hushed, indoors, all honor and glory to the musicians, everyone dressed up) we heard so much about at the NEA (and that you're talking about here), but people REALLY like those summer concerts. Sometimes the music might not be as "challenging" (i.e. not as unfamiliar to listeners though I wonder if we can really describe Beethoven as "not challenging") as that played during the subscription season, but still, people go in droves. And take their children.

I know the Eugene Symphony encourages people to come dressed however they feel is appropriate (I have gone in jeans; I have gone in spendy skirts; somehow, the music didn't change), but that's so West Coast anyway. Lord knows when I come to Chicago, I'll probably dress up more.

I would really like it if the MUSICIANS didn't have to dress up so much. Really, it's ridiculous. Honoring the music lies in playing it well, not in dressing in black-and-white for it. That's so 19th-century rise-of-the-banker-class, and here we are in the 21st trying desperately to invite younger people to the dance ... something needs to change. -- Suzi

[Bryant]

"Honoring the music lies in playing it well, not in dressing in black-and-white for it."

Amen, Suzi!

Also, I just reviewed the young violinist Julia Fischer and she was wowing everyone with her soloing, particularly at the end of the first movement of the Beethoven concerto. So many people wanted to clap after that movement, but alas held back for fear of being ridiculed.

TALK ABOUT A REPRESSED ATMOSPHERE. Something does need to change, indeed.