Klarinet Archive - Posting 000912.txt from 1997/11

From: Josh-Boy <joshcole@-----.Edu>
Subj: Re: Classical Music Stations Disappearing
Date: Tue, 25 Nov 1997 00:08:05 -0500

Hello to all of you wonderful people who were SO intelligent in choosing
the clarinet!! You all deserve Nobel Peace Prizes for that very choice.
Anyway, I should introduce myself... my name is Joshua Coleman, I am a
clarinetist in attendance at New Mexico State University. I am very new
to the ML, so if I'm screwing up in anyway, tell me.

Okay, the reason I write this is in response to what Matt Walters
wrote... (sorry, since I'm new to this, I still don't know names...)... I
am very afraid for the sake of all classical music. Actually, I fear for
the lives of all ensemble-performed music. Recently, there has been a
decrease in Classical concerts attendance as well as a movement towards
the use of recordings instead of marching bands. Computers and other evil
technologies like this are taking over the wonderful world of live
performance. Now, I'm not one to completely discount recordings -- the
Lord knows I have my fair share of CD's and such with professional
recordings and all that. But how many of us that have been to a live
performance can honestly say that being there and listening to a CD are
the same?!? A great many people have this misconception that Classical
music is only for those geeks and all those other words that don't really
mean what they think they mean. Sorry... anyway, my point is that even
though we select few listen and live in the splendor of instrumental music
(as well as other forms) are small in number, we have to try and revive
the American culture that once was. Yeah, I know, easier typed than done.
We cannot allow computers to replace us... I know of no computer that can
create the same response while performing Weber's Concerto #2 that someone
like David Shifrin can.

We just have to make others realize that all kinds of music can be fun,
exciting, thought-provoking, etc.... I have found several Beethoven
pieces, believe it or not, that are mosh-able... call me Krazy if you
want, but music is what you make it out to be.

Okay, I'll shutup now...

Hasta and happy klarinette-ing!

Kramer

On Mon, 24 Nov 1997 JohnnyWall@-----.com wrote:

> < To conclude, if you want good music in your life buy tapes and CDs, attend
> < live concerts, better yet, make it yourself.
> < Vic Wyman
>
> This is great for classical enthusiasts, but what about those who are never
> exposed to classical music? How can people learn to appreciate classical
> music if it is never on the airwaves? How can America revive its passion for
> classical? Classical music is only 3.4 % of the recording industry, by the
> way. Obviously, megagiants like MTV and VH-1 do not help because there is no
> way classical can compete with such a widestream media of popular music. So
> the question is, what are we to do? I am 16, and only a few of my musician
> friends listen to classical. If this trend continues, what will happen in
> the future? Are we seeing the death of American culture?
>
> Matt Walter
> Chicago, IL
>