MOG

I wonder about jazz sometimes as well.  I don't make classical records, but I still listen, and jazz roots find their ways into a lot of what I do.

As far as your questions:

1.  several other producer and musician friends of mine that are under 60 love classical music after a long day of rock recording and concerts.  it feels more quiet than silence.

2.  i know "the hits", but i'm never sure who wrote which one.

3.  yes, and jazz even more so.

4.  it would take a neat trick.  he's been dead since 1827.

5.  people just keep moving.  do things like electronic, hip-hop and rap count as "rock and roll"?  i think it will always have fans though.

as usual, good to "hear" from you. 

Classical music is rooted in Europe in that most of the composers' names are European. Since they are long dead, so is the assertion that Europe is "more Classical" than anywhere else. Classical music is World music, and not just Old World.

True, the United States is enamored with Pop, with our own musical birthright of Jazz and Blues and Rock playing a supporting role. But I wouldn't say that Beethoven went away. All of our music is informed by Classical strains. Our brains were synthesizing music long before Moog. Whether from incidental exposure through animation soundtracks or studied at school or passed on the radio, the seed is sown; the sound lives on.

As a whole, the Germans don't listen to Wagner or the Italians don't listen to Verdi any more than we do. But it is telling when the Powers That Be align themselves with one art over another. I was in Prague recording with the Philharmonic (an ad gig) and saw a quote that was chiseled into the facade of a museum that basically stated that, as long as a country remembered its culture, the country would never perish. Our music culture is a mish-mash of all styles - they all must be played, and they are. (Here's to the revitalized Met Opera and their live broadcasts on oversized video screens!)

Thanks for asking a "big" question - the kind that gets us questioning.

And Happy Bastille Day!

Pixie, you should know not to get on the wrongside of a French waiter...

(Although if you really want to annoy a Frenchman, point out the storming of the bastille only freed four forgers, two "lunatics" and one "deviant" aristocrat, making it the most over-romanticised event in history) 

I agree with Chuck Guest, although there was a lot more awareness of classical music in the general population 30 years ago than there is today. In that sense, classical music, in the U.S. at least, has faded farther into the background. And notice how pop music has taken over the role in movie soundtracks that used to be the provenance of classically-trained composers. European classical music is blossoming in China, oddly enough, and that is where it may end up thriving.

The institutions that teach "classical" music or art have remained relatively unchanged in their form for over 200 years, where as "popular" music has evolved and remains vibrant in the way inwhich it chooses to presents itself.  Look at what has happened in how rock and roll has changed in form from Bill Haley to Jay Z. 

Most american symphonies regurgitate the same dull tired format of classics that the radio does, and ignore some of the more progressive or "newer classical" music of Schopenhauer, Parcht, or Cage in favor of the "greatest hits" of Classical Music that is churned out again and again.

I still listen to classical music but only on my CD player. You don't want a 25 minute piano concerto popping up on your mp3 player when you have it on shuffle...or do you? (I don't)

So stuff I listen to;

Wagner, Elgar, Nyman and the modern classical composer with the closest links to rock with it's repeated riffs; Philip Glass.

.

How many people under 60 in the United States do you know listens to classical music?

Mostly those who are forced to hear it

Who can name the composers of the songs below?

I now maybe 2 people, ashamedly not including myself.

But what a voice and sucha a haunting melody!

Do you think it's fair to say Classical music is more rooted in European Society than American?

Absolutely

Can we bring back Beethoven?

um....maybe if the younger generation rebels and someday slowdown their minds to actually listen to music for more than 2 minutes

Or Did Rock & Roll Crush our classical music palettes for good

I thin the artists and corporations you mentioned above may have even crushed rock & roll

My close friend Alpin Hong is the most Rock & Roll classical pianist out there.  I've had this discussion with him many times.  Like many things he believes the classical world has become a factory, cookie cutting out "prodigies" who take minimal creative risks in interpreting the music. (metioned also in the 2nd article posted in your blog) I mean thats what brings it alive right, an interpretation.  He decided to become the long haired rebel of the world who actually puts some soul into his playing.  He tours all over and plays to kids a lot but says his "groupies" are mostly 65+ grey haired white women.  He's trying to lure in the kids by playing them video songs that segue into classical peices.  Anyway while writing this I looked at his site to see what he's up to.  Looks like he added an interactive section for kids with the same incentive.  I hope he succeeds with such a challenging mission. www.alpinhong.com

per contraband's comments- i think it's true that much of the classical institutions are mired in tradition- esp in the US. That's sad bc compositionally there's so much space for experimentation in classical music.....

I would have loved to be in France for this, but I would have been positioned somewhere along the route for the Tour De France. For the record, America has spoken and they chose N'Sync and not the Backstreet boys.

I would also like to add that Classical music becomes a tool of ambience.  I have been in gas stations and train stations in "the hood" where it is used, at loud volumes, to keep "ne'er do wells" from causing havok.  That and it is also cheap filler for NPR or public radio.  With all these combinations, of course we've chosen American roots music (or at least music that derives from some form of roots music) over Classical.

I'm personally glad that the US no longer tries to appeal to what the European Aristocracy thought was worthy, as it did for most of the first 200 years.  It's about time we lost our infatuation or idea with what they believe is high culture.  Nothing against a whole continent, I love Europe, but America has always been a red headed step child in terms of "culture" and I think we need to embrace our "no culture" as our own culture that comes from every culture.

gershwin - summertime.

mozart - ein madchen oder weibchen from the magic flute

we are losing classical music in our schools, which is marginalizing its importance further... plus, it takes a large investment of time, effort and money to learn how to play an instrument, or to attend a concert. not to mention....

i was a classical percussionist - played carnegie hall.. got no chicks.

impreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessive! Was waiting for someone to correctly name them. I loved the summertime opera version. I need some of your tutellage evidently :)