As an audience member, I am always looking for ways to learn more about music and deepen my concertgoing experiences. As an arts administrator, I am always thinking about ways to further engage the audience and to attract new audiences.
I recently read an article in The Guardian (UK) about The Royal Philharmonic Society and Classic FM in Britain partnering to launch a project in January called "Hear Here", a year-long initiative with a mission of getting the British public to "refocus attention on the ear, in a society increasingly dominated by the eye" by listening to classical music.
A classical work will be featured each month, starting with Dvorak's Cello Concerto. Each work will be explored through concerts in four locations across England, discussions, broadcasts and talks.
The organizers want to introduce people to classical music and deepen the understanding of people familiar with the music by explaining in a simple, clear way how to actively listen to it.
In the article, Graham Sheffield, chairman of the Royal Philharmonic Society, said: "I don't want us to be saying there's a right way and a wrong way to listen - we're not going to be prescriptive. But a lot of us, and I'm as guilty as anyone, allow music to be a background to what we do and because of that we forget that listening is an active challenge to the brain. There's so much auditory material in the background of our lives and it has made us lazy."
Hmmm...auditory laziness. I'm sometimes guilty of this- even at a live performances- and I can imagine some of you are too. I think it's fine if an audience member wants to passively listen and decompress after a long day. This is entertainment, after all. But it's wonderful if an audience member wants to dig in and explore music.
I'm interested to see how the "Hear Here" project turns out.
I know that ChicagoClassicalMusic.org has organized online discussion and listening sessions in the past. I wonder how much interest there is in doing a mini-version of "Hear Here" on this site? Would you be interested in exploring a piece of music from one of this site's sponsor organization's concert programs each month through blog/forum posts, audio file downloads and online discussions culminating in attending a live performance of the work, maybe with a "Hot Deal" on tickets? Let us know- please comment below.
And before I go, happy holidays to you from all of us at the Rembrandt Chamber Players.
Posted in
Jeff_Turk | Tue, 12/18/2007 - 1:30pm
I have a real love/hate relationship with my iPod - I love the fact that I can take the full Ring cycle with me wherever I go, but hate the fact that this little device is fast becoming the primary way most people will listen to there music.
Right now, I am listening to the Barber Toccata Festiva - on my iPod, on my lunch hour - and I am enjoying it very much. But I think one of the reasons I am enjoying it so much is due to the fact that I know what it should sound like after first experiencing it via SACD multi-channel surround in my music room.
I would argue that in most cases one is unable to devote full attention to listening via the iPod. If you are working out, working at your computer, driving, biking, etc. etc., you are doing something else that requires your attention, and the music serves as background accompaniment. I don't think that is a bad thing in and of itself - but how many people stop there, and thus only experience the accompaniment?
Why has music in general moved to the background? I know we are a society of multi-taskers, and maybe we are unable to make time to devote strictly to listening to music. I would like to think we are not at that point - because we are not listening to the music the way it should be heard... I for one would be interested in some sort of variation of "Hear Hear" on the site - I can always use more practice!
Like I said - I love my iPod! But as a companion vehicle - and not my main tool for listening to the great works that deserve full attention.
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