I feel like mass media and the internet in general is killing so many aspects of real life. Community spaces are disappearing, because more people feel comfortable staying indoors. Film industry is struggling because people would rather wait for it to come on streaming so they could watch it at home. Live performances dwindling because people would rather use spotify or youtube. Traditional (and responsible) journalism is dying because people would rather get their news from social media, and hilariously enough propaganda is easier through social media than it is through traditional media. It's paradoxically an age of immense progress and regression at the same time. It's confusing, angering, and amazing to witness.
Thanks a lot for sharing. I share your concerns about communities as I see that more and more people wish to control the circumstances and environment as much as possible for various reasons (that I can partly understand) and are afraid to `feel`. Music can be a strong medium to encourage people to feel again. Do you have any ideas on how to bring live music to the foreground again? How can we educate people back to this? Music helps people to `dig in there` and get their humanity back. Then, the need for a real community is natural and everyone would seek it. In many ways, I noticed that we are pressured and encouraged to get cut off of our bodies and our feelings. When there is `no one home` we are no longer really `alive`... Extensive amounts of screen time is a very dangerous thing, and many studies now provide scientific evidence for that. It affects the brain significantly (one can easily find many official papers proving solidly that this is a fact-). Especially for Gen Z who grew up with mobile phones and social media at their `hand`, it is very temptacious to get lost in there... But at the same time, they have some kind of unforeseen maturity that comes to me as a positive surprise. That gives me hope! Technology is an amazing tool to use for good or for harm. Amazingly, we have all this information available if we can critically sort things out. And look at me now, we can communicate from the other sides of the world and know I am not the only one having those worries. Thanks a lot! Take care
I believe the way to go is new repertoire. There's more of an insentive to go hear premiers and new works. Especially if the performer works directly with a composer to have something written for them specifically. There's nothing (at least to me) more exciting than knowing that what one is about to hear is something new and unique to the performer, in that, being a piece that's being played now by the person on stage, and one will not get the chance to hear that piece for a while, and that it will be a while 'till a "definitive recording" will be availiable. That being said, mixing old and new is to me a happy medium to attract the most people possible. I like it a lot when there's programmes that aren't just the same old pieces heard for years, once in a while it's good to mix things up, especially now that the situation within classical music kind of demands it. With older generations being the people who grew up in the height of the 20th century, with some of the wildest music up to that era, and younger generations feeling stuck playing the same stuff. I still believe that there's coming an era where close collaboration between performers and composers will bring new and fresh ideas and repertoire to audiences. That to me will "save" the classical music recital. EDIT: I'm speaking a) from the standpoint of a composer/musicology student and b) from personal experiences concerning the musical life in Greece, which are admitedly a bit more riggid and stuck into more conservative frameworks.
Thank you so much for sharing these ideas with us here! Some of the topics you mentioned reminded me of my thoughts a couple of months ago. I noticed that we get stagnant with the `same old` amazing classical music masterpieces. At the same time when I look at the music around me, I also turn back happily to the old works. The question is: Is classical music (music till the 20th century) the highest form of musical experience and nothing will ever outdo it? It must be some evolution! I have hope, although I just do not see proof of this yet. Atonal music feels very foreign and invasive to me. I see not much hope there personally because this music does not make me feel something. That is only my personal experience of it. Sometimes it moved me but that was a very rare occurrence. What do you think about that as a composer? Your remark about composers writing for performers sounds great! I have seen before that this indeed can bring a fresh new breeze to the field of music. I happened to see a concert at the Opera here in Frankfurt where that was the focus of the whole concert, and it was a very strong experience for all of us in the audience. Goosebumps! Any suggestions on how performers and composers can find and tune into each other for creating together? I finished my studies a long time ago and moved to a few countries already. I could contact certain composers I know (mainly from the places I studied, Greece and Belgium) and I am sure we would be happy to work together. But It would be nice if there was a way to connect with composers from all the places in the world easily somehow! Any ideas? Suggestions? Maybe to you, this is trivial, but not for me. Have a nice weekend!
@@IoannaMoudanioti My syggestion is to find someone who you like their composition style, something you not only like listening to, but something that you'd like to eventually play. The easiest way to work with composers is to work with people you've met in the past, as you said, conctacting people you know from your years of study. That's a great way to start because you already know them and you have a basis for growing a collaboration. After that one can slowly grow their contacts with composers through new music cyrcles, as the word spreads that theres a person interested in this music, and more you'll meet new people in the field. Another way to go about this is with the aid of youtube. Try to find new pieces in here, maybe some of them not even performed by humans, but by MIDI, and if you like them try to contact the person who wrote them, especially if it's going to be their channel, their contact information will be provided by youtube.
@@aayyiss Thank you! I ll try with youtube! I ll just have to think about what keywords would be appropriate. The other idea is also a nice way (the traditional path), but a bit limited.
@@IoannaMoudanioti yeah, also, there's lots of channels that specialise in new music, like Score follower and incipify, look into those for a start, and then the algorithm will surely suggest similar stuff. It's truly an endless well of marvels if one is willing to look around. I hope your search is fruitful
I think music - not just in a recital setting but live music is something we are losing touch with. But my own experience of say being at a party and a friend had got a string quartet to play informally - even just rehearsing while people enjoy the company and the food and wine (and of course the music) it was a fantastic experience. I think a lot of young people are not comfortable with the formality of the recital today... maybe people playing music in an informal manner is a way forward? A way to entice a new audience?
Thank you so much for sharing your idea and perspective on this! Indeed I notice that younger people find recitals too formal. I love your idea!!! I will have to sit on it because I feel you are `right on` here! Very inspiring! Thanks again.
You need classical clubs like jazz clubs where people go hear music in a more intimate, less formal manner. Jazz audiences clap during a performance especially if the musician plays a very good solo. The audience participates in the performance. And, in between sets, the audience gets to talk and interact with performers. Classical musicians need to build a more direct relationship with their audience. They need to share their emotions they have with the music with their audience. The problem with classical music is the "perfection" of the performance. It's not about music anymore.
Thank you so much! I have the same feeling. It would make a huge difference if classical musicians would have a more direct relationship with our audiences on stage by focusing back on the essence of `it` --the emotional part, community, and sharing -not getting lost in the loop of unhealthy perfectionism instead. Any ideas on how to make the communication with the audience happen? Encouraging them to talk with us and exchange ideas on stage? Could you please specify a bit more about what would be the ideal setting for you? I am afraid that this could end up being a lecture, or something very mentally focused as well. I am looking forward to your response! Many thanks!
@@IoannaMoudanioti No, you don't want it to be a performance lecture. Musicology is for nerds like us whereas music is much more profound; it connects abstract concepts with emotions. There is reallly nothing like it in all human experience. For context, I'd like to preface the following by saying I play mostly jazz piano but I have 10 years of classical training and still play my classics like Bach and Beethoven. Music is not all serious. Bach wrote sacred music, secular dance music, parodies (eg, coffee cantata), etc. An informal performance in an intimate club or setting should program a variety. It should be exciting, melacholic, comedic. The musicians should show themselves having fun, enjoying the music, should show themselves moved by the music. By sharing the emotiions they feel about the music they are playing, they connect with the audience since all humans (at least those in your audience) will understand emotion instinctively. Some other ideas are to include improvisation if the musicians can improvise. Another is to play music by modern composers. Right at this moment, I am listening to XiaoYa Liu's recording of Carl Vine's piano sonatas. Another idea is to play arrangements of pop culture music. This satirizes classical music. By making fun of yourself and what you do, your audience will laugh along with you. Despite the satire, I think it somehow validates the classical form. Do you know Josep Castanyer Alonso's channel on youtube? He's a professional cellist in an orchestra (I think in Sweden) but he has written a 3-voice fugue of "Angry Birds" , "I'm a Barbie girl", etc., and posted videos of him playing his arrangments on youtube. Finally, if this is something you would like to pursue, you will also need some business skills. Or, have a non-musician friend who help you make this a reality. Ok, this is long enough. I wish you the best of luck in making the performance of classical music more widespread. As a jazz musician, I would love to attend club where I can drink wine and listen to a piano trio, a string quartet, SATB choir perform classical music.
@@longhaulblue Thanks a lot! Yes, I agree that music is about emotions- That is what I find important in a performance too. Also, music is not serious, as you said! Music is music, it has all things in it. Even Bach improvised (PS: I bet you know Jacques Loussier), and Beethoven too! (There are findings of posters of his concerts where he was supposed to improvise... how interesting!) Sharing feelings in between the pieces of the performance sounds great! Thank you! Music parody- there are some brilliant people posting reels on Instagram that crack me up! But that is another field, and I do not feel like this is my thing where I can flourish right now. But thank you for suggesting an idea! I appreciate all your sharing here. The more I talk and write about it, the more clear I become on the idea. Take care!
The medias available through TV, TH-cam, etc does not reveal the full experience of a live performance. Even high quality recordings cannot capture the full beauty. Personally, I love many of the pieces that some complain are too overplayed.
Thank you for your message. I too like the `same old` works. It remains exciting depending on who plays the music. I agree that live music is irreplaceable. Good quality recordings are great but still, this is a different experience than live music as you said. It makes a difference when one cannot control the environment and all the parameters. The interaction with the audience and what new inspiration can be created at the moment is magical. I wonder how could we bring live classical music back to our lives in an organic way. Any ideas? Back then every bar and every home had a piano... Then they replaced it with a pickup, and now it has become a mobile phone...
@@IoannaMoudanioti perhaps as you say, the home is the place to start. Exposing children to the classics and encouraging their exploration of music. Perhaps reverse exposure such as present "Because" by the Beatles and if they are interested, show the inspiration of the piece coming from Beethoven's Op 27-2 first movement "Moonlight"
I agree with your goals. Today I don’t believe it’s possible to lift the public any longer. Wherever you go today you’re bombarded with cheap garbage noise in the guise of “music”. Combine this with throwaway attitudes in society regarding health, life, marriage and morals, the appetite for truly beautiful things such as music dissolves.
Thank you for sharing here! I know today the situation is challenging in many ways but I disagree with you. I believe people always feel naturally pulled to true beauty and a sense of feeling good. They just need the right exposure to `get things going` in this direction again (as you said the apps are very addictive... one needs some detox from that for sure). I feel so happy to see these days how many people care and want to change things! We can use social media for good as well. I believe people need music and classical music in particular, back in their lives. We, the musicians are also part of the problem, unfortunately. I have to think of Mahatma Gandhi who said `Be the change you want to see in the world`. Take care!
I agree that attention spans of the average people is declining so it is hard for people to sit silently for even a relatively short symphony or concert. It would be good if there were more outdoors concerts with sound system where people were allowed to talk with eachother and clap between movements etc
Thank you so much for sharing! I like the outdoor concert idea a lot! This could be great for the few warm months here in Germany. For other countries, it could be easier. But I do not think people should talk in between. That would distract the musicians and the other people who want to enter undisturbed to the magic of it all. But yes! There should be frequent breaks for people to talk. Happy Sunday!
The thing is, I got so unused to going to classical concerts after all those lockdowns that took place in the past years. I always loved going to concerts, but nowadays I find it difficult to concentrate for more than 50 mins. And that's not only with classical concerts
Thanks so much for sharing that. I believe the times with Covid have impacted both our bodies and our brains. At some level, many of us are still recovering. Staying at home for so long and absorbing all the input from screens has changed something for the worse. The question is, what can we do to change that now? Some ideas: -Classical music concerts with shorter pieces (I tried that, it is nice but not great...)? Or a progression from shorter to longer pieces on purpose? -Or a concert with little breaks where the performer discusses with the audience about the piece? About the vibe of the piece for example? -or a concert where one has little tasks to do? Observe where the theme appears or when the mood changes. How many times does it change etc? Like a Quiz... ? -Music and dance is another idea. But I do not think this necessarily helps deepening one's concentration. The objective here is for the audience to relearn listening and appreciating classical music again and not to get distracted by something else (as beautiful as it is)... -have some form of meditation with the audience and then the concert starts? Any ideas? How would it be ideal for you?
Κάπου εδώ θα το γυρίσω στα ελληνικά! Λοιπόν, σίγουρα αυτό με το quiz ισως βοηθάει. Αυτό όμως προϋποθέτει πιο πολλή δουλειά για τον καλλιτέχνη γτ εγώ το έχω στο μυαλό μου ισως και με Graphische Notation (λογικά καταλαβαίνεις Γερμανικά) και επίσης έχω παρατηρήσει ότι το κοινό είναι πολύ πιο focused όταν αυτό που βλέπει είναι interdisciplinary, άρα και η ιδέα για χορό πχ σίγουρα είναι καλή. Ίσως ενας συνδυασμός όλων να βγάζει νόημα. Μικρό κομμάτι στην αρχή, λίγο μακρύτερο μετά, μετά χορός, μετά πιο μεγάλο με quiz μέσα, μετα κάτι πιο γνωστό για το κοινό και τελος κατι πιο ανάλαφρο. Κατάλαβες πως το λέω? Έτσι κ αλλιώς τα interdisciplinary projects είναι και ψιλο "in" στην παρούσα φάση και ίσως και στο μέλλον. Δεν ξέρω για την επιλογή με τις επεξηγήσεις. Πολλοί το βρίσκουν βαρετό νομίζω. Συνήθως αυτό που δεν βαριέται ο κόσμος είναι το ξαφνικό, το απρόβλεπτο. Να μην ξέρει τι τον περιμένει! Αυτά τα ολίγα από εμένα! Πολυ ωραίες οι ιδέες σου! Φιλάκια απο Detmold!
@@Jilref S´euxaristw polu! Mou akougetai kalos o sundoiasmos, alla akougetai para polu douleia opws eipes. Thelei polu organwsi kai management apo oles tis apopseis. Den eimai akoma sigouri... Skeftomai oti isws prepei na vroume pws na entharunoume ton kosmo na bei se ena suggekrimeno mood prin țin sunaulia (isws xoros, isws kinisi oloi mazi...), wste na einai i mousiki epikoinwnia eukoli kai gia ton koino kai gia ton kalitexni.... Sigoura pali tha exei douleia kai auto, alla mou akougetai pio apto stin parousa fasi... Polla xairetismata kai filia apo Frankfourti!!!
I am not too keen on streaming and cds . It's OK for works you know but not so good for softer and louder passages (eg Arvo Pärt OR John Adams . I am spoilt because my favourite concerthall is 20 minutes away by car. It's purpose-built for chamber music and I can hear so much more than on recordings heard Paul Lewis do all the Schubert Sonatas Voces 8 , Jordi Savall , Australian Chamber Orchestra ... .
Thank you for sharing about streaming. I think it is great but not a substitute. The depth of sound cannot be reflected fully through technology yet. How is the classical music concert going in your country? Over here it is only happening in the few big halls and almost nowhere else in a consistent and professional way. Happy Sunday!
Good point on records and radio (and TH-cam). When we can hear (and see on TH-cam) the pieces anytime played by the best pianists from the 1940s on.. well, not a lot of incentive to go to a recital. And there's also the chance you get a seat on the blind side of the hands! One (maybe) bad thing about records and radio and TH-cam is I sense that interpretations are becoming almost standardized - not a lot of individual input in what really is just notes on a page with a few musical indicators here and there. There should be room for more personal expression there. I wonder if it is teachers teaching the "correct" interpretations? Can you imagine doing that with a Shakespeare speech? Finally, I play only pieces I love. I might work on a piece for years and then decide, no, it's nice, but lets find something else. My play-list that I go through every night is 20 pieces in 4 sets. It takes 3 hours or more (if I stop to work on a passage or two in some of the pieces). All that is to say, I cannot imagine having to select pieces based on anything other than the music itself. BTW, when I was a kid my mom told me I'd hate the piano because the teachers don't let you play what you want, but what's next on the list. I have always selected what I play. If I hate a piece, I am not doing it. Take care!
Thank you so much for sharing with us here. You are touching on a topic that has been going in my head for a long time. Luckily there are some new famous pianists out there, like V.Olafsson, who focus on the depth of the piece and get creative. But they are not the majority. I just miss the old recordings of the messy though wonderful playing of A. Schnabel which `traveled` me places. Not to miss mentioning here the greatness of my favorite V. Horowitz and A. Rubinstein... Those pianists were so unique and different from each other. Listening to their pieces or recordings from different ages of their life was always a nice surprise. I also feel, like you, that nowadays the interpretations lack creativity and that the focus has become more and more technical perfection. Of course, a professional pianist should have mastered their technique, but only that alone leaves the performance empty. I think that is a general issue that is going on in society and is intensified through social media (a great tool to use to do good or harm...). We all tend to forget that when we emphasize only the practicalities we forget what makes us truly special. Who we are, just by nature. It is a complicated matter to write about here, just in a few lines. What you wrote motivated me to reach out to music students out there (as well as the audience) and share about what makes music reach and powerful for me! Thank you!!! I am sure that others here would have new things to share about that! So that we get some fresh new inspiration for the future and how to welcome our audiences into a different kind of experience than what it tends to become these days... Cheers to music concerts that feel alive and creative :) Take care!
@@IoannaMoudanioti More than 50-55 years ago, when I was young, my mom's doctor had an extra ticket to see Rubenstein in his 80th birthday tour. My parents were working class and we could never have had such an opportunity on our own. I got to see Rubenstein from the "hands" side. As an encore he played "To a Wild Rose" which all the kids have to play. He PLAYED it. I'll never forget it. At the time I played wind instruments. I took up piano. Thank you for your very kind reception of my thoughts.
I see this as an opportunity. I personally believe that we should "un-institutionalize" classical music, and detach it from the upper class. We should dress it down, and get rid of the suit boys, or even the black shirt boys. We should give concerts like Schubert did in his day, and focus on making music in our communities. The only problem with that which I face in West Virginia, United States is the lack of very good pianos. We shouldnt sacrifice the quality of our instruments as we step away from great halls being the only option. If I want to hear Aimard, I will go to New York City... but I wish there were people of all levels doing it all over the place, without pretense, and not as an opportunity to dress up or show that you are a member of the 'class' of classical music.
Thank you for sharing here! In my opinion, Classical music is objectively no longer a privilege of the upper class. How amazing is that! Back then Kings could have access to this, but now anyone can afford the cheap (yet decent) seats at the Opera. Not to mention streaming and all the recordings that are now available for free. About the dress code: It has changed here in Germany. Only a few people are dressed pompously to go to the concert. Many people show up with sneakers and casual outfits. In my opinion, each person should enjoy their freedom to express their happiness to go to the opera in any way they please. With clothes, or with a smile. Classical music is open to all social classes. But as I see people are not interested much. Happy Sunday!
Yes ok. υπαρχει ομως κοσμος που θα ηθελε να ακουει εργα πιο πρωτοποριακα ή εργα που εκτελουνται σπανια , αναφερω πχ τον Skalkota , Ioannou , Phillip Glass etc . Ακομα και εργα νεων αγνωστων δημιουργων , I very like from you the composed "Its OK"!!!
I disagree. I think the potential of live streaming a classical concert to the entire world is a massive potential. Imagine Glenn Gould playing a live stream Bach recital now, like you're in the studio with him. The potential to reach a global audience is huge.
Thank you for sharing! I did not say the opposite. (When I spoke of music Videos, I thought of pre-recorded nonlive videos). Live streaming is great! But that should not replace the real thing in my opinion. But, what if a musician is not financially successful enough to get support for high-quality streaming? There are tons of amazingly talented unknown geniuses out there. And even if they did - The commitment of a person going to a concert is different if they have to go somewhere else to experience it, rather than listening from their sofa. Unfortunatelly! Also, the interaction with the others in the audience is missing. Of course, it remains there at some level. But still... Any ideas on how to make high-quality live streaming easily accessible for all Artists? Because most of us know only how to practice and perform, we need support about the technical part...
I feel like mass media and the internet in general is killing so many aspects of real life. Community spaces are disappearing, because more people feel comfortable staying indoors. Film industry is struggling because people would rather wait for it to come on streaming so they could watch it at home. Live performances dwindling because people would rather use spotify or youtube. Traditional (and responsible) journalism is dying because people would rather get their news from social media, and hilariously enough propaganda is easier through social media than it is through traditional media.
It's paradoxically an age of immense progress and regression at the same time. It's confusing, angering, and amazing to witness.
Thanks a lot for sharing. I share your concerns about communities as I see that more and more people wish to control the circumstances and environment as much as possible for various reasons (that I can partly understand) and are afraid to `feel`.
Music can be a strong medium to encourage people to feel again. Do you have any ideas on how to bring live music to the foreground again? How can we educate people back to this? Music helps people to `dig in there` and get their humanity back. Then, the need for a real community is natural and everyone would seek it. In many ways, I noticed that we are pressured and encouraged to get cut off of our bodies and our feelings. When there is `no one home` we are no longer really `alive`...
Extensive amounts of screen time is a very dangerous thing, and many studies now provide scientific evidence for that. It affects the brain significantly (one can easily find many official papers proving solidly that this is a fact-). Especially for Gen Z who grew up with mobile phones and social media at their `hand`, it is very temptacious to get lost in there... But at the same time, they have some kind of unforeseen maturity that comes to me as a positive surprise. That gives me hope!
Technology is an amazing tool to use for good or for harm. Amazingly, we have all this information available if we can critically sort things out. And look at me now, we can communicate from the other sides of the world and know I am not the only one having those worries.
Thanks a lot!
Take care
I believe the way to go is new repertoire. There's more of an insentive to go hear premiers and new works. Especially if the performer works directly with a composer to have something written for them specifically. There's nothing (at least to me) more exciting than knowing that what one is about to hear is something new and unique to the performer, in that, being a piece that's being played now by the person on stage, and one will not get the chance to hear that piece for a while, and that it will be a while 'till a "definitive recording" will be availiable. That being said, mixing old and new is to me a happy medium to attract the most people possible. I like it a lot when there's programmes that aren't just the same old pieces heard for years, once in a while it's good to mix things up, especially now that the situation within classical music kind of demands it. With older generations being the people who grew up in the height of the 20th century, with some of the wildest music up to that era, and younger generations feeling stuck playing the same stuff. I still believe that there's coming an era where close collaboration between performers and composers will bring new and fresh ideas and repertoire to audiences. That to me will "save" the classical music recital.
EDIT: I'm speaking a) from the standpoint of a composer/musicology student and b) from personal experiences concerning the musical life in Greece, which are admitedly a bit more riggid and stuck into more conservative frameworks.
Thank you so much for sharing these ideas with us here! Some of the topics you mentioned reminded me of my thoughts a couple of months ago.
I noticed that we get stagnant with the `same old` amazing classical music masterpieces. At the same time when I look at the music around me, I also turn back happily to the old works.
The question is: Is classical music (music till the 20th century) the highest form of musical experience and nothing will ever outdo it?
It must be some evolution! I have hope, although I just do not see proof of this yet.
Atonal music feels very foreign and invasive to me. I see not much hope there personally because this music does not make me feel something. That is only my personal experience of it. Sometimes it moved me but that was a very rare occurrence. What do you think about that as a composer?
Your remark about composers writing for performers sounds great! I have seen before that this indeed can bring a fresh new breeze to the field of music. I happened to see a concert at the Opera here in Frankfurt where that was the focus of the whole concert, and it was a very strong experience for all of us in the audience. Goosebumps!
Any suggestions on how performers and composers can find and tune into each other for creating together? I finished my studies a long time ago and moved to a few countries already. I could contact certain composers I know (mainly from the places I studied, Greece and Belgium) and I am sure we would be happy to work together. But It would be nice if there was a way to connect with composers from all the places in the world easily somehow!
Any ideas? Suggestions? Maybe to you, this is trivial, but not for me.
Have a nice weekend!
@@IoannaMoudanioti My syggestion is to find someone who you like their composition style, something you not only like listening to, but something that you'd like to eventually play. The easiest way to work with composers is to work with people you've met in the past, as you said, conctacting people you know from your years of study. That's a great way to start because you already know them and you have a basis for growing a collaboration. After that one can slowly grow their contacts with composers through new music cyrcles, as the word spreads that theres a person interested in this music, and more you'll meet new people in the field. Another way to go about this is with the aid of youtube. Try to find new pieces in here, maybe some of them not even performed by humans, but by MIDI, and if you like them try to contact the person who wrote them, especially if it's going to be their channel, their contact information will be provided by youtube.
@@aayyiss Thank you! I ll try with youtube! I ll just have to think about what keywords would be appropriate. The other idea is also a nice way (the traditional path), but a bit limited.
@@IoannaMoudanioti yeah, also, there's lots of channels that specialise in new music, like Score follower and incipify, look into those for a start, and then the algorithm will surely suggest similar stuff. It's truly an endless well of marvels if one is willing to look around. I hope your search is fruitful
@@aayyiss I just followed them and will give these a try. I never though of this before. I am curious! Many thanks!
I think music - not just in a recital setting but live music is something we are losing touch with. But my own experience of say being at a party and a friend had got a string quartet to play informally - even just rehearsing while people enjoy the company and the food and wine (and of course the music) it was a fantastic experience. I think a lot of young people are not comfortable with the formality of the recital today... maybe people playing music in an informal manner is a way forward? A way to entice a new audience?
Thank you so much for sharing your idea and perspective on this! Indeed I notice that younger people find recitals too formal. I love your idea!!! I will have to sit on it because I feel you are `right on` here! Very inspiring! Thanks again.
You need classical clubs like jazz clubs where people go hear music in a more intimate, less formal manner. Jazz audiences clap during a performance especially if the musician plays a very good solo. The audience participates in the performance. And, in between sets, the audience gets to talk and interact with performers. Classical musicians need to build a more direct relationship with their audience. They need to share their emotions they have with the music with their audience. The problem with classical music is the "perfection" of the performance. It's not about music anymore.
Thank you so much! I have the same feeling. It would make a huge difference if classical musicians would have a more direct relationship with our audiences on stage by focusing back on the essence of `it` --the emotional part, community, and sharing -not getting lost in the loop of unhealthy perfectionism instead.
Any ideas on how to make the communication with the audience happen? Encouraging them to talk with us and exchange ideas on stage? Could you please specify a bit more about what would be the ideal setting for you?
I am afraid that this could end up being a lecture, or something very mentally focused as well.
I am looking forward to your response!
Many thanks!
@@IoannaMoudanioti No, you don't want it to be a performance lecture. Musicology is for nerds like us whereas music is much more profound; it connects abstract concepts with emotions. There is reallly nothing like it in all human experience.
For context, I'd like to preface the following by saying I play mostly jazz piano but I have 10 years of classical training and still play my classics like Bach and Beethoven.
Music is not all serious. Bach wrote sacred music, secular dance music, parodies (eg, coffee cantata), etc. An informal performance in an intimate club or setting should program a variety. It should be exciting, melacholic, comedic. The musicians should show themselves having fun, enjoying the music, should show themselves moved by the music. By sharing the emotiions they feel about the music they are playing, they connect with the audience since all humans (at least those in your audience) will understand emotion instinctively.
Some other ideas are to include improvisation if the musicians can improvise. Another is to play music by modern composers. Right at this moment, I am listening to XiaoYa Liu's recording of Carl Vine's piano sonatas.
Another idea is to play arrangements of pop culture music. This satirizes classical music. By making fun of yourself and what you do, your audience will laugh along with you. Despite the satire, I think it somehow validates the classical form. Do you know Josep Castanyer Alonso's channel on youtube? He's a professional cellist in an orchestra (I think in Sweden) but he has written a 3-voice fugue of "Angry Birds" , "I'm a Barbie girl", etc., and posted videos of him playing his arrangments on youtube.
Finally, if this is something you would like to pursue, you will also need some business skills. Or, have a non-musician friend who help you make this a reality.
Ok, this is long enough. I wish you the best of luck in making the performance of classical music more widespread. As a jazz musician, I would love to attend club where I can drink wine and listen to a piano trio, a string quartet, SATB choir perform classical music.
@@longhaulblue Thanks a lot! Yes, I agree that music is about emotions- That is what I find important in a performance too. Also, music is not serious, as you said! Music is music, it has all things in it. Even Bach improvised (PS: I bet you know Jacques Loussier), and Beethoven too! (There are findings of posters of his concerts where he was supposed to improvise... how interesting!)
Sharing feelings in between the pieces of the performance sounds great! Thank you!
Music parody- there are some brilliant people posting reels on Instagram that crack me up! But that is another field, and I do not feel like this is my thing where I can flourish right now. But thank you for suggesting an idea!
I appreciate all your sharing here. The more I talk and write about it, the more clear I become on the idea.
Take care!
The medias available through TV, TH-cam, etc does not reveal the full experience of a live performance. Even high quality recordings cannot capture the full beauty. Personally, I love many of the pieces that some complain are too overplayed.
Thank you for your message. I too like the `same old` works. It remains exciting depending on who plays the music.
I agree that live music is irreplaceable. Good quality recordings are great but still, this is a different experience than live music as you said. It makes a difference when one cannot control the environment and all the parameters. The interaction with the audience and what new inspiration can be created at the moment is magical.
I wonder how could we bring live classical music back to our lives in an organic way. Any ideas? Back then every bar and every home had a piano... Then they replaced it with a pickup, and now it has become a mobile phone...
@@IoannaMoudanioti perhaps as you say, the home is the place to start. Exposing children to the classics and encouraging their exploration of music. Perhaps reverse exposure such as present "Because" by the Beatles and if they are interested, show the inspiration of the piece coming from Beethoven's Op 27-2 first movement "Moonlight"
I agree with your goals. Today I don’t believe it’s possible to lift the public any longer. Wherever you go today you’re bombarded with cheap garbage noise in the guise of “music”. Combine this with throwaway attitudes in society regarding health, life, marriage and morals, the appetite for truly beautiful things such as music dissolves.
Thank you for sharing here! I know today the situation is challenging in many ways but I disagree with you. I believe people always feel naturally pulled to true beauty and a sense of feeling good. They just need the right exposure to `get things going` in this direction again (as you said the apps are very addictive... one needs some detox from that for sure).
I feel so happy to see these days how many people care and want to change things! We can use social media for good as well. I believe people need music and classical music in particular, back in their lives.
We, the musicians are also part of the problem, unfortunately. I have to think of Mahatma Gandhi who said `Be the change you want to see in the world`.
Take care!
I agree that attention spans of the average people is declining so it is hard for people to sit silently for even a relatively short symphony or concert.
It would be good if there were more outdoors concerts with sound system where people were allowed to talk with eachother and clap between movements etc
Thank you so much for sharing! I like the outdoor concert idea a lot! This could be great for the few warm months here in Germany. For other countries, it could be easier.
But I do not think people should talk in between. That would distract the musicians and the other people who want to enter undisturbed to the magic of it all. But yes! There should be frequent breaks for people to talk.
Happy Sunday!
The thing is, I got so unused to going to classical concerts after all those lockdowns that took place in the past years. I always loved going to concerts, but nowadays I find it difficult to concentrate for more than 50 mins. And that's not only with classical concerts
Thanks so much for sharing that. I believe the times with Covid have impacted both our bodies and our brains. At some level, many of us are still recovering. Staying at home for so long and absorbing all the input from screens has changed something for the worse.
The question is, what can we do to change that now?
Some ideas:
-Classical music concerts with shorter pieces (I tried that, it is nice but not great...)? Or a progression from shorter to longer pieces on purpose?
-Or a concert with little breaks where the performer discusses with the audience about the piece? About the vibe of the piece for example?
-or a concert where one has little tasks to do? Observe where the theme appears or when the mood changes. How many times does it change etc? Like a Quiz... ?
-Music and dance is another idea. But I do not think this necessarily helps deepening one's concentration. The objective here is for the audience to relearn listening and appreciating classical music again and not to get distracted by something else (as beautiful as it is)...
-have some form of meditation with the audience and then the concert starts?
Any ideas? How would it be ideal for you?
Κάπου εδώ θα το γυρίσω στα ελληνικά! Λοιπόν, σίγουρα αυτό με το quiz ισως βοηθάει. Αυτό όμως προϋποθέτει πιο πολλή δουλειά για τον καλλιτέχνη γτ εγώ το έχω στο μυαλό μου ισως και με Graphische Notation (λογικά καταλαβαίνεις Γερμανικά) και επίσης έχω παρατηρήσει ότι το κοινό είναι πολύ πιο focused όταν αυτό που βλέπει είναι interdisciplinary, άρα και η ιδέα για χορό πχ σίγουρα είναι καλή. Ίσως ενας συνδυασμός όλων να βγάζει νόημα. Μικρό κομμάτι στην αρχή, λίγο μακρύτερο μετά, μετά χορός, μετά πιο μεγάλο με quiz μέσα, μετα κάτι πιο γνωστό για το κοινό και τελος κατι πιο ανάλαφρο. Κατάλαβες πως το λέω? Έτσι κ αλλιώς τα interdisciplinary projects είναι και ψιλο "in" στην παρούσα φάση και ίσως και στο μέλλον. Δεν ξέρω για την επιλογή με τις επεξηγήσεις. Πολλοί το βρίσκουν βαρετό νομίζω. Συνήθως αυτό που δεν βαριέται ο κόσμος είναι το ξαφνικό, το απρόβλεπτο. Να μην ξέρει τι τον περιμένει! Αυτά τα ολίγα από εμένα! Πολυ ωραίες οι ιδέες σου! Φιλάκια απο Detmold!
@@Jilref S´euxaristw polu! Mou akougetai kalos o sundoiasmos, alla akougetai para polu douleia opws eipes. Thelei polu organwsi kai management apo oles tis apopseis. Den eimai akoma sigouri... Skeftomai oti isws prepei na vroume pws na entharunoume ton kosmo na bei se ena suggekrimeno mood prin țin sunaulia (isws xoros, isws kinisi oloi mazi...), wste na einai i mousiki epikoinwnia eukoli kai gia ton koino kai gia ton kalitexni.... Sigoura pali tha exei douleia kai auto, alla mou akougetai pio apto stin parousa fasi... Polla xairetismata kai filia apo Frankfourti!!!
I am not too keen on streaming and cds . It's OK for works you know but not so good for softer and louder passages (eg Arvo Pärt OR John Adams . I am spoilt because my favourite concerthall is 20 minutes away by car. It's purpose-built for chamber music and I can hear so much more than on recordings heard Paul Lewis do all the Schubert Sonatas Voces 8 , Jordi Savall , Australian Chamber Orchestra ...
.
Thank you for sharing about streaming. I think it is great but not a substitute. The depth of sound cannot be reflected fully through technology yet.
How is the classical music concert going in your country? Over here it is only happening in the few big halls and almost nowhere else in a consistent and professional way.
Happy Sunday!
Good point on records and radio (and TH-cam). When we can hear (and see on TH-cam) the pieces anytime played by the best pianists from the 1940s on.. well, not a lot of incentive to go to a recital. And there's also the chance you get a seat on the blind side of the hands!
One (maybe) bad thing about records and radio and TH-cam is I sense that interpretations are becoming almost standardized - not a lot of individual input in what really is just notes on a page with a few musical indicators here and there. There should be room for more personal expression there. I wonder if it is teachers teaching the "correct" interpretations? Can you imagine doing that with a Shakespeare speech?
Finally, I play only pieces I love. I might work on a piece for years and then decide, no, it's nice, but lets find something else. My play-list that I go through every night is 20 pieces in 4 sets. It takes 3 hours or more (if I stop to work on a passage or two in some of the pieces). All that is to say, I cannot imagine having to select pieces based on anything other than the music itself. BTW, when I was a kid my mom told me I'd hate the piano because the teachers don't let you play what you want, but what's next on the list. I have always selected what I play. If I hate a piece, I am not doing it. Take care!
Thank you so much for sharing with us here. You are touching on a topic that has been going in my head for a long time.
Luckily there are some new famous pianists out there, like V.Olafsson, who focus on the depth of the piece and get creative. But they are not the majority. I just miss the old recordings of the messy though wonderful playing of A. Schnabel which `traveled` me places. Not to miss mentioning here the greatness of my favorite V. Horowitz and A. Rubinstein... Those pianists were so unique and different from each other. Listening to their pieces or recordings from different ages of their life was always a nice surprise.
I also feel, like you, that nowadays the interpretations lack creativity and that the focus has become more and more technical perfection. Of course, a professional pianist should have mastered their technique, but only that alone leaves the performance empty.
I think that is a general issue that is going on in society and is intensified through social media (a great tool to use to do good or harm...). We all tend to forget that when we emphasize only the practicalities we forget what makes us truly special. Who we are, just by nature. It is a complicated matter to write about here, just in a few lines.
What you wrote motivated me to reach out to music students out there (as well as the audience) and share about what makes music reach and powerful for me! Thank you!!! I am sure that others here would have new things to share about that! So that we get some fresh new inspiration for the future and how to welcome our audiences into a different kind of experience than what it tends to become these days...
Cheers to music concerts that feel alive and creative :)
Take care!
@@IoannaMoudanioti More than 50-55 years ago, when I was young, my mom's doctor had an extra ticket to see Rubenstein in his 80th birthday tour. My parents were working class and we could never have had such an opportunity on our own. I got to see Rubenstein from the "hands" side. As an encore he played "To a Wild Rose" which all the kids have to play. He PLAYED it. I'll never forget it. At the time I played wind instruments. I took up piano. Thank you for your very kind reception of my thoughts.
@@weissrw1 You are very welcome. Wow! That concert must have been great. Lucky you! Hopefully we ll have more of those experiences in the future.
I see this as an opportunity. I personally believe that we should "un-institutionalize" classical music, and detach it from the upper class. We should dress it down, and get rid of the suit boys, or even the black shirt boys. We should give concerts like Schubert did in his day, and focus on making music in our communities. The only problem with that which I face in West Virginia, United States is the lack of very good pianos. We shouldnt sacrifice the quality of our instruments as we step away from great halls being the only option. If I want to hear Aimard, I will go to New York City... but I wish there were people of all levels doing it all over the place, without pretense, and not as an opportunity to dress up or show that you are a member of the 'class' of classical music.
Thank you for sharing here! In my opinion, Classical music is objectively no longer a privilege of the upper class. How amazing is that! Back then Kings could have access to this, but now anyone can afford the cheap (yet decent) seats at the Opera. Not to mention streaming and all the recordings that are now available for free.
About the dress code: It has changed here in Germany. Only a few people are dressed pompously to go to the concert. Many people show up with sneakers and casual outfits. In my opinion, each person should enjoy their freedom to express their happiness to go to the opera in any way they please. With clothes, or with a smile.
Classical music is open to all social classes. But as I see people are not interested much.
Happy Sunday!
Yes ok. υπαρχει ομως κοσμος που θα ηθελε να ακουει εργα πιο πρωτοποριακα ή εργα που εκτελουνται σπανια , αναφερω πχ τον Skalkota , Ioannou , Phillip Glass etc . Ακομα και εργα νεων αγνωστων δημιουργων , I very like from you the composed "Its OK"!!!
euxaristw polu. Auto idi ginetai kai den voithaei dustuxws...
🦋
I disagree. I think the potential of live streaming a classical concert to the entire world is a massive potential. Imagine Glenn Gould playing a live stream Bach recital now, like you're in the studio with him.
The potential to reach a global audience is huge.
Thank you for sharing! I did not say the opposite. (When I spoke of music Videos, I thought of pre-recorded nonlive videos). Live streaming is great! But that should not replace the real thing in my opinion.
But, what if a musician is not financially successful enough to get support for high-quality streaming? There are tons of amazingly talented unknown geniuses out there. And even if they did - The commitment of a person going to a concert is different if they have to go somewhere else to experience it, rather than listening from their sofa. Unfortunatelly!
Also, the interaction with the others in the audience is missing. Of course, it remains there at some level. But still...
Any ideas on how to make high-quality live streaming easily accessible for all Artists? Because most of us know only how to practice and perform, we need support about the technical part...
The problem is music teachers allowed garage band boys to take over music education.
Thank you for sharing! Could you please elaborate?