Posted by Volker on May 12, 2003 at 13:30:47:
In Reply to: Re: Bad News List posted by Mary Ann on May 12, 2003 at 12:20:09:
Mary Ann, I think you can't compare that era with our modern situation with all the hi-tech music conservation equipment. They didn't have a dolby surround in those old days, so people were depending on live concerts to enjoy a great sound, since the early gramophones just offended ears. Today you can stay at home and take your CD, if you can't afford the tickets.
Also, pro musicians were more modest at relatively low salaries (as almost everybody) by that time, when people had no weight problems because of a balanced or even negative calories status (scarce on food vs. lots of physical motion).
A similar development is proceeding with actors: With the modern motion pics technology
you can digitalize actors for a conserve, from what you can create movies or parts of them later. So, in some cases insurance companies require such conserves for top actors already now in order to secure the completion of movies in cases of actors' accidents etc.
This is even possible with actors/actresses who passed away long before. This could lead to even a brand new movie with an actor who passed away already 20 years before.
Ergo: We need less and less human work and arts power - in ALL sections of modern society. Musicians are no exception.
As for the future, I wonder how the now teenies and twens will develop their individual taste. This generation in it's vast majority is just listening to more or less monotone
and consistently loud rhythmical "noise" rather than to any kind of melody and harmony music - this fact might additionally cause shrinkage on valuable orchestras.
Right now, the economics are reinforcing the symptoms, but the reasons for the sad orchestral development are more complex.