Here's something you might be interested in.
A response to a previous article asserted that the idea of classical music being elitist is an old canard. I was confused but then I looked up canard. I think a further explanation is needed.
With 3 million people in the county, it's safe to say less than 0.3 percent are going to a classical music concert any given weekend.
That 0.3 percent would be about 10,000 people. If less than one half of one percent of the population is attending local classical music concerts how is that not elitist?
Perhaps elitist is the wrong word. "Not populist" might work better.
In classical music, a recording that sells 50,000 copies is a run away hit. How does that compare to, say, Flo Rida's Low and its 5 million paid downloads? Of course, Flo Rida blesses us with immeasurable lyrics such as,
"Shawty had them Apple Bottom jeans, jeans Boots with the fur, with the fur The whole club was lookin’ at her She hit the flo’, she hit the flo’ Next thing you know Shawty got low low low low, low low low low".
Flo Rida also uses e flat minor. Not the key of e flat minor, just that one triad. One chord.
How can Beethoven compete with that? Beethoven competes with that by sublimating the pain and frustrations of his life into the Ode to Joy.
Those subscribing to the Flo Rida school will continue to glorify the objects of the masculine masturbation reel. Given a choice between hearing Beethoven's Ninth or fantasizing about some fabulous club-booty? That's a tough choice for me and I love Beethoven. For many men it is no contest.
We can imagine the interviews.
"Excuse me sir, Beethoven or booty?"
"Booty please."
"...and you sir?"
"Booty for me too."
"How about you?"
"Do you have any Brahms?"
"Not until next weekend."
"Oh, then booty for me too."
Classical music appeals to us on all levels. I am a firm believer in classical music appealing to us below the waist as well but it's subtle and not obvious and that appeals to fewer people than the blatant and commercialized themes of popular music.
Instead of elitist, I'll go with not populist.
A response to a previous article asserted that the idea of classical music being elitist is an old canard. I was confused but then I looked up canard. I think a further explanation is needed.
With 3 million people in the county, it's safe to say less than 0.3 percent are going to a classical music concert any given weekend.
That 0.3 percent would be about 10,000 people. If less than one half of one percent of the population is attending local classical music concerts how is that not elitist?
Perhaps elitist is the wrong word. "Not populist" might work better.
In classical music, a recording that sells 50,000 copies is a run away hit. How does that compare to, say, Flo Rida's Low and its 5 million paid downloads? Of course, Flo Rida blesses us with immeasurable lyrics such as,
"Shawty had them Apple Bottom jeans, jeans Boots with the fur, with the fur The whole club was lookin’ at her She hit the flo’, she hit the flo’ Next thing you know Shawty got low low low low, low low low low".
Flo Rida also uses e flat minor. Not the key of e flat minor, just that one triad. One chord.
How can Beethoven compete with that? Beethoven competes with that by sublimating the pain and frustrations of his life into the Ode to Joy.
Those subscribing to the Flo Rida school will continue to glorify the objects of the masculine masturbation reel. Given a choice between hearing Beethoven's Ninth or fantasizing about some fabulous club-booty? That's a tough choice for me and I love Beethoven. For many men it is no contest.
We can imagine the interviews.
"Excuse me sir, Beethoven or booty?"
"Booty please."
"...and you sir?"
"Booty for me too."
"How about you?"
"Do you have any Brahms?"
"Not until next weekend."
"Oh, then booty for me too."
Classical music appeals to us on all levels. I am a firm believer in classical music appealing to us below the waist as well but it's subtle and not obvious and that appeals to fewer people than the blatant and commercialized themes of popular music.
Instead of elitist, I'll go with not populist.