KillingClassicalMusic

As an extension of the discussion on using something like scoreboard that one would find at a sporting even as a way to help guide uninitiated listeners through a concert, Caitlin Rowley hones in a bit more precisely on what she sees as the problem: the program(me) notes.

She writes:

My reading of this is that because the programme notes are pointing out all this stuff, [the uninitiated listener] feels he ought to be looking out for it, so his concert experience is actually ruined by desperately trying to keep track of what he’s been told is important, rather than sitting back, listening and (hopefully) enjoying himself.

The big concern I feel…is of how intimidating these sorts of programme notes must be for novice concertgoers. How much of a dunce must a non-musician feel when they’re told to look out for this icy interlude doing something they have no clue how to interpret? No wonder classical music is termed ‘elitist’ by some! I don’t agree that a concert scoreboard, visible to all, is the way to go – listening to live music is a very personal experience and while it may work for some, there are many (me included) who would be so distracted by such a thing in a concert that it would ruin the whole experience. However, I do agree that something needs to be done to not alienate audience members, and especially audience members who are being brave and giving something a go that they don’t fully understand.

So to me, revising this traditional approach to the programme note seems an excellent place to start.

I love how she points to the intellectual elitism of the concert hall.  (That’s something too many confuse with economic elitism which doesn’t really exist.)

You should read all of the post here an see how Caitlin thinks program(me) notes might evolve.