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'Marcuse has shown how mass culture tends to be anticulture - to stifle creative work by the sheer volume of what is "produced," or reproduced. In which case poetry, for example, must start with an awareness of this contradiction and use it - as anti-poetry - which freely draws on the material of superabundant nonsense at its disposal. One no longer has to parody, it is enough to quote - and feed back quotations into the mass consumption of pseudoculture' - The Asian Journal of Thomas Merton (New Directions ISBN 0811205703)
More Thomas Merton here.
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After the fiasco of Kismet and Carmen today's Guardian reports on the triumphal farce of English National Opera's new Aida:
Imported from Houston, it's directed by Jo Davies, while sets and costumes are the work of fashion designer Zandra Rhodes. Such is the palaver surrounding Rhodes's contribution - you can even get an e-card with a doll (see above) of one of the characters you can dress up - that the uninitiated might reach the conclusion that Aida is about frocks and bling rather than an examination of how political and religious authority can rot the lives of those who are close to the seats of temporal power yet unable to wield it. Neither director Jo Davies nor Rhodes has taken the piece seriously, and what we are presented with is a gaudy, insubstantial spectacle, and a messy one at that.
What next from ENO? - 'Classical Star the Opera' as a co-production with BBC TV?
Any copyrighted material on these pages is included as "fair use", for the purpose of study, review or critical analysis only, and will be removed at the request of copyright owner(s). Report broken links, missing images and other errors to - overgrownpath at hotmail dot co dot uk
'A society that revels in others' public distress or humiliation, filmed in intrusive close-up, is a pretty sick society. Classical Star harks back to the worst excesses of the Roman arena. The children are exhibits in a human circus. The judges use the thumbs up/thumbs down technique of the Roman emperor; they offer us pretension, patronage and a deep sense of self-importance. We are all being coarsened by this continual diet of exploitation. '
That's just one paragraph from Hilary Davan Wetton's attack on BBC TV's Classical Star in today's Guardian. He hits the nail right on the head, he says it is bad for classical music. And Hilary isn't just a grumpy old blogger. He is a musician, teacher and conductor. And his new CD of Vaughan William's seasonal Hodie is out on Naxos this week.
Now, on the day of Ursula Vaughan William's memorial service let's remember a pilgrim's final progress.
Any copyrighted material on these pages is included as "fair use", for the purpose of study, review or critical analysis only, and will be removed at the request of copyright owner(s). Report broken links, missing images and other errors to - overgrownpath at hotmail dot co dot uk
Here is the blurb from the BBC website - 'The hunt for the UK's next classical music superstar is on and for one exceptional young musician the opportunity of a lifetime is within reach. The winner of Classical Star will win a top record deal and the chance to launch their dream career.
Acclaimed musician and Classical Star Musical Director Matthew Barley is searching for a top class performer who has the ability to broaden the appeal of classical music. The winner must have that extra special something to impress the prestigious judging panel of top conductor Charles Hazlewood, Double Bassist Chi-chi Nwanoku, conductor Jason Lai and music industry mogul Steve Abbott.
Through nationwide auditions 18 candidates have been short listed but only the best nine will attend the Music Academy, where Matthew has devised a rigorous and demanding three-week residential programme.
In the first of the five part series, the 18 candidates battle for a place in the Academy over two intensive days in London. This is a nerve-wracking journey as the young players are asked to improvise, complete demanding interviews and perform to the best of their ability under the scrutiny of the judges. At the end the nine successful Academy candidates are revealed.'
The first programme is on BBC2 TV on Tuesday 16 Oct, 9:00 pm - 10:00 pm UK time. But let's remember that the argument that this type of programme "broadens the appeal of classical music " often doesn't hold up. It is also worth noting that judge Steve Abbot's credits include "producing the music programme of Princess Diana's funeral service, and personally introducing Sir Elton John into the proceedings". So don't expect too much John Cage in that "top record deal".
Thank goodness for CDs and internet radio.
Any copyrighted material on these pages is included as "fair use", for the purpose of study, review or critical analysis only, and will be removed at the request of copyright owner(s). Report broken links, missing images and other errors to - overgrownpath at hotmail dot co dot uk
