Re: Baseball-A Music Related Commentary


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Posted by Mark Wiseman on August 31, 2002 at 10:52:53:

In Reply to: Baseball-A Music Related Commentary posted by Kevin Miller on August 30, 2002 at 18:55:01:

Enjoyment and appreciation of the symphony, opera, and ballet requires intellect and introspection, which sadly is beyond the capacities of a great majority of Americans.

This kind of attitude is real reason orchestras are suffering. This attitude that classical music is too intellectual and too good for the common man. That's why concert goers are viewed as snobs and elites by the common man and why the common man doesn't bother going to concerts.

This attitude carries over to the selection of music for a program. Many orchestras seem to believe the more esoteric the better. They believe that anything the general public might enjoy couldn't possibly be worth playing.

Why is it that the best attended symphony concerts are always the pop concerts? And, why is it that many members of this board openly show their distaste for playing pop music? Why is it that the Canadian brass is by far the most successful brass quintet? And, why is it that many member of this board only have derisive comments about them?

Why is it that John Williams is one of the most successful composers of all time? And, why is it that many members of this board have only vitriolic criticism of him?

It's this self-destructive attitude that classical music is too good for the common man.

I also find it interesting that a music educator in Texas has this attitude. Texas schools have some of the best music programs in the country. They are well funded and have tremendous parental and community support. Why? Because they field the marching bands that support the football team. I'll bet that really burns a lot of elitists on this board.

Mark "Likes good music (including classical) and good sports" Wiseman



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