Music Space

Have you ever thought of what music does to a space you’re in? A dirty bar becomes an energized party. A stage becomes a living loudspeaker. A cathedral becomes a place of worship. An ascetic studio becomes a creative workshop. And so on…

Yes. I am sure you have thought of this. But have you thought of what a space does to the music being played?

Let’s start with an example and the wrong lesson learned from it.

More after the break...

This comes from a nice old article so let me give you a recap. Joshua Bell plays his Stradivarius in a subway. He plays classical music from the 18^th and 19^th centuries. He does this during rush hour traffic. People are trying to get to work. Very few people stop to listen. The Washington Post questions the general public’s level of culture. Gene Weingarten is awarded a Pulitzer (yes, awarded for this very article).

Without getting into how absolutely infuriating the article is in its presumptions, let’s get to the choice quote.

“If we can't take the time out of our lives to stay a moment and listen to one of the best musicians on Earth play some of the best music ever written; if the surge of modern life so overpowers us that we are deaf and blind to something like that -- then what else are we missing?” – (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR2007040401721.html)

NO. Wrong. No no no. Wrong lesson! Please try again.

Here’s what you should have learned: SPACE IS EVERYTHING.

The Post article even goes out of its way to quote philosophy and specifically Immanuel Kant. And Kant explained that in order to appreciate beauty, the “optimal” conditions needed to be met. Yet the Washington Post seemed to ignore this point.

At this point let’s all take a moment to click the link below and listen to some of the most beautiful music ever written. I’ll wait.

You’re continuing to read aren’t you? You actually aren’t focusing all your attention on this piece? You do know this is the work J.S. Bach himself made a regular pilgrimage to hear right? It’s also being performed by one of the greatest choirs in the world. Ok. Suit yourself. Back to the conversation on optimal listening conditions…

I don’t think anyone doubts that Joshua Bell is tip tops at playing Bach.

But consider the conditions under which Mr. Bell was ignored: music by 17^th c. German, subway station, preoccupied and frustrated 21^st c. American audience. Stepping back from the scenario, what would you expect to happen? Would you expect a subway station full of busy commuters to choose to be late for work, and instead listen to music that they probably feel no connection towards?

SPACE IS (almost) EVERYTHING

If Mr. Bell had instead played Bach in a concert hall, or in a church, or on any raised stage how would he have been perceived?

As musicians, if we extend a hand to the audience, we may reasonably expect them to take it, but we are not entitled to it. But if we extend nothing to them, no entry point into the music, then what can we possibly expect to happen?

Mr. Bell and Bach are not entitled to their connection.

And the same works with contemporary art music. And this is the important question. Is it fit for the stage? It is my opinion that not all of it fits into the staged tradition.

I think it’s time to consider what a stage does to music. For “classical” music, the audience is trained to revere what is on stage. Music on stage is “serious.” While music is on stage, the audience must be silent,.

That includes not moving around. That includes not eating or drinking or cheering on the performer. That includes refraining from telling who you’re sitting with how much you like the music. That includes not dancing.

It’s a shame the terrible things that the stage inflicts upon classical music especially when other genres get so much out of a good stage.

Instead the classical stage demands that the audience to not actively react to what they hear, lest one member of the audience ruins the music for the rest. So stifle the audience and hope for the best.

But what if we remove the stage and put music literally on the same level as the audience? What if we encourage the audience to get our of their seats? To move around? To drink and eat and dance? What if we turn the stage into an experience instead of just a presentation point?

What if we think of space as another element of the music?

What if we actually considered space at all? What kind of audiences could we attract? What kind of shows could we put on? What kind of experiences could we have? What kind of minds could we change? Who could we reach? Who would listen?

Think about it. We aren't the only ones. Check the link below for more from B'more.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/arts/bs-ae-classical-revolution-20121013,0,97903.story?page=1