I was very happy to read Kyle Macmillan's recent article in the Denver Post, "Classical music's wild turn." In it, he describes some of the new genre-defying groups -- Alarm Will Sound, Ethel, Osso -- who are attracting 20- and 30-somethings to chamber-ish music. These are classically-trained, casually-dressed artists who have created a unique sound, followed their inner musical voices, and are changing the definition of traditional chamber music.
A great pullquote: "All art forms need to be revitalized to survive, and too often classical music has been more concerned with preserving its past than defining its future."
Amen, Kyle. My hope is that decision-makers at classical music organizations spend more time contemplating how classical music is evolving and how current and prospective audiences want to experience this art...on their terms. Not just following tradition because that's the way it has always been done.
"Tradition is the illusion of permanence." ~Woody Allen
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