Author: Craig Matovich
Date: 2006-12-23 21:14
Well, the path we all must take to promote classical orchestral and chamber music may not be ideal and certainly not pristine, but there are many ways to promote it. It can be kept and made healthy and vital.
I assume you intend a fairly wide definintion of 'classical' to include its predecessor and following periods, so not so constrained by a time period.
Bach, Mozart, Beethovan, St. Saens, Dvorack, Stravinski, Copeland... and others belong in the club.
Probably not the Rolling Stones, the Beach Boys, Ice T, Hammer, etc.
I've performed with symphony orchestras that occassionaly did pops concerts. ( Sarah Vaughn with the Richmond Symphony, and Elmer Berstein on tour.) People loved it, and we'd usually slip in some 'popular' classical and romantic lit.
We may not like it that Mozzart and Beethovan no longer stand alone, but times change.
Go back half a century and check this out:
http://www.oldies.com/artist-biography/Mitch-Miller.html
This approach from a former Philadelphia oboist ( I think he actually did the american premiere of the Strauss Ob. Concerto...)
de Lancie was 2nd at the time and not permitted to perform a concerto by rule, even though he commissioned/inspired it. Only prinicpal players did concertos with them.
Eventually, Mitch Miller could not play oboe after a heart attack and moved on.
I only knew him as the 'Sing along with Mitch' guy for a long time.
I met him at an IDRS convention where he gave an impassioned key-note address pleading for more classical music training and education of the population at large, and supported it with many good reasons.
This from the Sing Along with Mitch guy! Go figure. But it may go to show, we must do what we must to keep it alive and if a few pop songs are part of the price, these days I'm more OK with it than in years past.
Post Edited (2006-12-24 14:06)
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