RE: My Opinions on the Decreasing Popularity of Classical Music
Apart from my earlier comment (via @classical-radio) that the concept of playing old music from past eras is an unusual phenomenon in history, I really think that we (the classical music community) have shot ourselves in the foot in the past century or so...
The concept of Classical Music was pitched as an elite, cultural thing. We placed the idea of high art above the idea of entertainment. The original intent of the music was as entertainment, and yet we put it up on a pedestal to viewed as art akin to a museum. The unspoken "rules" of the concert hall, where newcomers where humiliated for clapping in the "wrong" place was just downright hostile to those who were not in the clique.
More recently, after seeing the success of the pop and commercial music, you have the idea of "selling" classical music. So, you get packaged groups and soloists who are generally easy on the eye... despite the fact that music is supposed to engage the ear first! In fact, you now start to get music festival organisers who have no idea about music but will just pick out packages that have been put together by their promoter friends.
Then, as musicians, you see many (especially in orchestras) musicians who are just there for work. Their passion is gone... In addition, you see a spread of the "don't stick out, don't get fired" mentality which leads to brainless and uncommitted performances...
All of this translates to the idea of a hostile concert atmosphere where I think the audience can sense the lack of commitment and "realness".
I probably have more to add, but I'll stop ranting... Of course, this is all spoken in a general and stereotypical sense. Not every musican and group is like this, but there is a disturbing section of the community where this is unfortunately true....
PS: Thanks for the mention! and thanks for the your continued support of the @classical-radio account!
You have made a lot of great points in this comment. One which I had not considered is the business behind music. You are right that people may be selected based on more than talent due to the idea that records need to be sold. I have a feeling that this problem is going to go away as ideas like Steemit grow in the public's eye. Now there is a way to juke out the music industry and get our "product" straight to the public. So I have a feeling that we are both in the right place. I also feel like Steemit (or something like it) could solve the problem of musicians mindlessly looking for work. Steemit creates an incentive for creativity, and I feel like that will cause these people to be much more hopeful about the impact of their musical creativity. Anyway, thanks for the feedback! What you are doing with this community is incredible!