Since our discussion on Friday, I've been reflecting on the insurmountable task of reversing the cultural shift away from classical music. It seems to me in addition to the general degradation of culture over the years, musicians have also facilitated this problem. Unfortunately, an attitude of superiority has been pervasive in western music for years. Whether it's a social darwinistic attitude that the only true kind of music is of the European tradition or the actual cost of attending concerts (which probably doesn't affect those who can pay DePauw's tuition but is too steep for many) music has been elitist for too long. How about the accessibility of the actual music? I for one would have a hard time maintaining attention to piece if I couldn't follow sonata form, analyze the changes in texture, recognize recurring motifs, ect.
For so many people, classical music is simply uninteresting. I believe a more inclusive and open attitude in years past could have improved our current struggle to keep the music relevant but regardless, we now find ourselves facing quite a challenge. Unless our generation starts getting revolutionary soon, I'm not optimistic that our music will survive. We need to strip down the bureaucracy that classical music has become and get back to what we love about the music and find ways to bring it to everyone. More than anything, we need to start getting self-critical enough to figure out what we, as musicians, are doing wrong.
Start brainstorming... this is our Capstone project.
I totally agree Burke. We are loosing our audience more and more as time goes on. I was made fun of in high school for liking classical music instead of rap or country music. It is like we are shifting from music that makes us think and being engaged to understand it to music that is just noise and we can move to or is profane, etc.
ReplyDeleteIt says a lot for our culture and society. It really worries me that musicians that are skillful and talented may not have jobs or be successful because the general public wants to listen to someone or something that has been processed through auto-tunes and not even their real product of music. It is distressing.
A large problem with the population and classical music is the instant gratification stigma. iPods are clickable, you don't like the song? Switch it. ONE classical piece can take upwards of two hours to perform or listen to and in this day and age, for many that is too much time. I think that people find time especially for things like meditation or exercise, so if we could link that to classical music we already have an "ally" if you will. I like what you wrote about the accessibility of music. I had never really thought about it, but dressing up and going out in the evening to an event may be intimidating for some.
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