tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060605.post5721101654249405642..comments2024-03-26T15:57:13.443+00:00Comments on On An Overgrown Path: If that is what classical music is, it's really grimUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060605.post-16435404109277093462012-02-28T03:28:55.135+00:002012-02-28T03:28:55.135+00:00So, of course you've got me thinking further. ...So, of course you've got me thinking further. At the risk of taking up more than my share of the airwaves, here, may I add: I do have a bit the zeal of a convert. I'm not a musician, knew only a smattering of classical music, and next to nothing about today's classical music. Then, just by happenstance, I got hold of a piece of music I loved every time I heard it--Mapping Wales, by John Metcalf. I wrote to tell him how much I loved it, then, when we took a trip to Wales, he out of the blue invited us for a cup of tea. He was so welcoming; we sat there for two hours and had a conversation about music--he talking over our heads a good bit of the time, but never making us feel that way. I left wanting to find out everything I could, and the more I do, the more I find that's simply beautiful, so worthy of support, and so at risk. Rieu, it seems to me, has just come up with a great way of making money for himself--t'was ever thus, I know, but I just wish we would all try, be curious, discover! The In Harmony project you report on, working with the young people of Norwich, is a magical example of what can be accomplished.Susan Scheidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09250142489341777926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060605.post-90435932595037957522012-02-28T02:48:04.794+00:002012-02-28T02:48:04.794+00:00Well, interesting what Pliable pulled up from an e...Well, interesting what Pliable pulled up from an earlier post over here. I'll have to say I'm not persuaded, though, that Rieu offers something worthwhile for those for whom more sophisticated classical music stays out of reach. From my own experience, I'd say outstanding classical music is within everyone's reach. All that's needed is to reach out to it. I just went to another free concert last night, all young composers premiering new pieces. It was thrilling. To my mind, that's what we should all be encouraging. Rieu, on the other hand, is just another version of Marx's opiate, no substitute for the real thing.Susan Scheidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09250142489341777926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060605.post-3212902615112120322012-02-26T07:12:47.898+00:002012-02-26T07:12:47.898+00:00Email received:
Pekka Kuusisto performed unforge...<i>Email received:</i> <br /><br />Pekka Kuusisto performed unforgettably in our drafty local community hall in the Blue Mountains in New South Wales. As well as accompanying a young student, he played with a Sydney quartet, Aulis Sallinen's "Some Aspects of Peltoniemi Hintrik's Funeral March." <br /><br />His generosity to the student musician and the eye opening selection and vivacious reading of the Sallinen piece will be remembered.<br /><br />Do please return him promptly to Australia!<br /><br />Regards and thanks for your blog.<br /><br />Ross Chambers<br />Blue Mountains<br />New South WalesPliablehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10616598845886342325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060605.post-36478930017510139522012-02-25T22:04:54.385+00:002012-02-25T22:04:54.385+00:00Susan, many thanks for that and it is great to hea...Susan, many thanks for that and it is great to hear from someone who was at the Britten Sinfonia's New York concert. But.... http://www.overgrownpath.com/2010/08/may-i-say-word-about-andre-rieu.htmlPliablehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10616598845886342325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060605.post-17617838353663435432012-02-25T18:17:41.134+00:002012-02-25T18:17:41.134+00:00May I add the horrendous Andre Rieu to Kuusisto...May I add the horrendous Andre Rieu to Kuusisto's list? I do think there are truly worthy cross-fertilization ventures (the Ecstatic Music Festival is one), but it's refreshing to see Kuusisto's comment. I was lucky enough to hear and see the Britten Sinfonia concert here in New York. A thrilling event, and Kuusisto was sublime.Susan Scheidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09250142489341777926noreply@blogger.com