Over and over again, I run into blogs and articles on how Classical music needs to "change", that it is old fashioned. Everyone appears to have an opinion on the subject, and many times it is, we need to change the formula to win the kids back.
So how does one respond? By writing a blog on the subject of course! And, become annoyed at myself later for doing it.
What seems to be lacking, is what the concert experience is for people. Which is increasingly varied. Let's not worry about the wide variety of music styles, even in styles such as rock, which has many niche styles, that will never achieve wide spread acclaim. Let's just discuss what the concert experience is for people.
All around the world, people go to concerts for different reasons, in some parts, they are much more relaxed at classical concerts. Even in America, going to a concert, can be a different experience, by which part of the country you are in, who the typical audience members are. I know many people who enjoy getting to go to something "classy", getting to dress up, and go for a night on the town. They truly enjoy listening in silence to the music.
Some people, it is a more spiritual experience, classical music, can bring them closer to God. I am reminded of the times I have played at churches, and the reaction to the music being played. One church prided it's self on playing modern church music. Songs that were more akin to top 40 radio then spiritual works. I would sometimes play some classical during the time of communion, during a time of silence for the congregation to pray. Often, I was hit with the complete silence after I would play. It was louder then any applause I have ever received, and I rarely felt it, when non instrumental or classical works were played. At first, worried, that I had not done my job well, but what followed touched me. Many people, came up to me after the service, and complimented me, thanking me for playing that music, that it had reminded them of something important, memories, family members or close friends, and allowed themselves to open up emotionally.
My eyes were open after this, to the different uses, and needs of the music I played. Differences between a concert, a small intimate recital, or just a piece at church. I feel many, who claim there need to be change, want to pigeon whole the music. Classify it as easily as some pop music genres. Seeing the concerts of the big stars, and maybe, feeling a twinge of jealousy, wishing for something more like that. This is all purely opinion and guess work. It is important to consider our role as artists, we do not all have the same path, and more ticket sales are not always the end goal.
My own goals are simple...If even just one person walks away from a performance of mine, and was touched on an emotionally level, I have done my job. I feel, that when I play, that there is a sharing of intimate stories, melodramatic, exciting, sometimes tragic, but always uplifting.
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In part two, I would like to discuss, why I think many of the changes, that some call for, may have already happened.
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