Some people don't know what they're missing

[Joe Barron]

I know, I know, it's a losing game to lament the small attendance and classical concerts, but I'm going to do it anyway. Last night I attended an unexpectedly wonderful concert: I say unexpectedly because it was a fundraiser, held in a church hall, with a volunteer pickup orchestra and two local pianists. The program consisted of a short Schubert overture and two, count 'em, of Beethoven's piano concertos -- the Third and the Fifth. The soloist in the the Third was fine, but Marje Kaisla, the soloist in the Fifth, was astonishing, and while the orchestra was small and didn't have much rehearsal time, it was nearly flawless, especially in the Emperor, and  the sound was more than big enough to  fill the modest performance space. (Winds and brass were up on the stage, strings and soloists down on the floor.) It was a night to remember, a night to write home about, if you were away from home, but the attendance was only about 75, and I recognized most of the people there. They were the same ones who always come to these fundraisers.

I understand it was a Sunday night, and the Eagles were playing the Redskins, but I'm going to be up from this concert for the next couple of days. I just wish other music lovers in the area could understand what they missed.

[snyprrr]

the Third and the Fifth.

VS.

the Eagles were playing the Redskins

You have answered the riddle of the ages!

Diversion at any cost!

[Mirror Image]

I know, I know, it's a losing game to lament the small attendance and classical concerts, but I'm going to do it anyway. Last night I attended an unexpectedly wonderful concert: I say unexpectedly because it was a fundraiser, held in a church hall, with a volunteer pickup orchestra and two local pianists. The program consisted of a short Schubert overture and two, count 'em, of Beethoven's piano concertos -- the Third and the Fifth. The soloist in the the Third was fine, but Marje Kaisla, the soloist in the Fifth, was astonishing, and while the orchestra was small and didn't have much rehearsal time, it was nearly flawless, especially in the Emperor, and  the sound was more than big enough to  fill the modest performance space. (Winds and brass were up on the stage, strings and soloists down on the floor.) It was a night to remember, a night to write home about, if you were away from home, but the attendance was only about 75, and I recognized most of the people there. They were the same ones who always come to these fundraisers.

I understand it was a Sunday night, and the Eagles were playing the Redskins, but I'm going to be up from this concert for the next couple of days. I just wish other music lovers in the area could understand what they missed.

Some people have other priorities and interests than you do. Some people like football, while others enjoy going to an art gallery. Some people enjoy cars while others enjoy sail boats. Some people enjoy swimming while others enjoy mountain biking.

Believe it or not there are thousands of people who don't get into music and never will. This isn't a hard concept to accept as we all see it everyday of our lives.

My suggestion is to move on. You will never convince anyone to enjoy what you enjoy. The best thing to do is find some common ground somehow.

[Joe Barron]

Believe it or not there are thousands of people who don't get into music and never will. This isn't a hard concept to accept as we all see it everyday of our lives.

You're right, or course, and I knew this before I posted, but I think there might have been some music lovers in the would have enjoyed the concert, if only they had known about it. I have moved on, believe me. Anyway, it was a terrific event.  Wish y'all could have been there, by cracky.

[Mirror Image]

You're right, or course, and I knew this before I posted, but I think there might have been some music lovers in the would have enjoyed the concert, if only they had known about it. I have moved on, believe me. Anyway, it was a terrific event.  Wish y'all could have been there, by cracky.

I would have gone had they played piano concerti from Prokofiev, Bartok, or something that's seldom played like the RVW. That would have been a show more to my liking.

[Joe Barron]

I would have gone had they played piano concerti from Prokofiev, Bartok, or something that's seldom played like the RVW. That would have been a show more to my liking.

I never get tired of Beethoven.

[CD]

That does sound like a fun concert. With something like that you know they're doing it purely for the love of the music.

[MN Dave]

I never get tired of Beethoven.

0:)

[Brian]

I never get tired of Beethoven.

0:)

[karlhenning]

One can tire, however, of paying top dollar to hear Beethoven : )

[DavidRoss]

Sounds like a great concert.  Perhaps it would have been better attended were it publicized as well as the football game.

[karlhenning]

Oh, I forgot about that aspect of it. I'd sure pay more to hear Beethoven than to go to a football game.

In fact, I just ain't goin' to the football game : )

[DavidRoss]

Me, too.  In fact, I like Beethoven.

[karlhenning]

I should be grieved to think that the ease of my fiscal discipline where this great composer is concerned is at all indicative of musical disapproval of Beethoven!

[karlhenning]

why, I've even got Beethoven loaded onto my Sansa Fuze player . . . .

[Brahmsian]

Beethoven is great at any time, although I admit that I do not listen as often as I do to Beethoven as I use to.  I have had the wonderful opportunity to listen to all of the symphonies live (the 7th and 9th twice), and I don't feel I need to hear them live again for a long time (although the 9th is always invigorating to hear in live performance).  I absolutely love concert programs that have both classical or romantic era works paired up with more modern works (20th Century or current works).  I always think this is the way to go.

BTW, when I post, I don't have the option of bolding fonts or attaching images, etc.  Anyone else experiencing this?  I could yesterday, but not this morning.

[karlhenning]

BTW, when I post, I don't have the option of bolding fonts or attaching images, etc.  Anyone else experiencing this?  I could yesterday, but not this morning.

Odd! That page (at least) is behaving more or less normally for me . . . .

[DavidRoss]

Some may recall the pompous former member who used to sneer at folks for listening to anyone but the half-dozen 18th & 19th Century German & Austrian composers he admired.  We've also enjoyed other buffoons who claim that anyone more traditional or tuneful than Stockhausen appeals only to mental midgets too unsophisticated to appreciate "modern" music.

Fortunately, none of those would-be Stalins has attained hegemony over our musical tastes, so there's room for most of us to enjoy everything from medieval chants to sonatas for laptop PC and chainsaw...including Beethoven.  (And let's be truthful: anyone who doesn't appreciate Beethoven should probably be dancing in a meat dress while lip-synching advertising jingles equating no-interest home loans with orgasmic ecstasy.)

[Cato]

The rise in crudity - examples abound from pop kulcher - over the years is part of the rise of a very egocentric society, where I refuse to sacrifice anything in my behavior, because to do so represents a stifling of my self-expression.

Therefore I will not speak politely and avoid foul-mouthedness, and I will not drive courteously, and I will not follow even basic etiquette, because all of those unofficial rules of society are used  by people in power to oppress me.

On the other hand:

Amateurs playing Beethoven for an audience of 75: that indeed could be a sign that Sodom and Gomorrah might be spared!

[Philoctetes]

Well on a personal note, there really is no classical music that I desire to hear live (save for something like Bruckner's Ninth), but I do wish I could find more performances of world music.