Too pretentious?

[The Sparrow]

hmmmm.....

See, I find if I don't practice EVERY day my strength and endurance falls RAPIDLY.

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by Philidor

It's worth remembering that young people embedded in Western youth culture can be tremendously snobby and conventional. Try announcing to a group in a trendy bar that you're keen on 18th century violin sonatas! I've done it often and the result is always amusing. They look at you like you've farted in church.

"What? You like that old stuff?"

"Sure. It's far more interesting than the pop music concert you've just been to. For a start they use more than three chords and modulate to different keys. Gosh! Why do you listen to that tripe?

"But.. but..."

"Plus classical musicians tend to be more open minded and the culture isn't impregnated with illegal drugs (except for the occasional betablocker to help with pre-performance nerves). Try it. Why be a musical conservative all your life?"

<odd honking noises>

As a 19 year old college student studying music, I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree. Everyone I am surrounded by outside of the music program (and even some in it) is highly conventional and snobby. I think classical music in youth has had an opposite snobbery as of late. For some reason, people look down to me and my group of musicians and friends because of our music education and tastes... I just thought I'd share this interesting point, that the young classical musicians are very far from conservative.. (At least here in the States)

[Florestan]

Hi Jeff,

Good to see you.

Have those little rascals arrived in the post yet?

[Florestan]

Originally Posted by Jeff

As a 19 year old college student studying music, I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree. Everyone I am surrounded by outside of the music program (and even some in it) is highly conventional and snobby. I think classical music in youth has had an opposite snobbery as of late. For some reason, people look down to me and my group of musicians and friends because of our music education and tastes... I just thought I'd share this interesting point, that the young classical musicians are very far from conservative.. (At least here in the States)

I am sure non-US music students here such as Herzeleide (UK) and Elle Sophocles (Australia) would wholeheartedly agree with you.

[maureen]

well my inner new england nun says-damn straight let's revere those things that deserve reverence and a sublime or superb passage in music, literature or painting is clear as a bell to the ear, aesthetic sense, or visual sense
and if you're too friggin lazy to dress up for it
there are plently of ditches to dig
get out of the 2nd chair and let that stunning broad in black silk with the ghostly pale complexion and the passionate expression take your seat
there's art to pay hommage to
and the greeks worked out the particulars, unity and golden mean and metre
so hit the coffee shop and leave the symphony hall to those who don't mind showing up in reverent garb and a reverent demeanor

just sayin

and here in the land of the philistines (california), football or baseball tickets cost more than the symphony and university ensembles are nearly free in any city of any size

my one complaint about the classical music snobs is confined to those stuuuuupid public radio announcers who take on that fake classical music announcer voice
and is there any reason they can't announce before or after the piece so i know what i'm hearing instead of once every 4 hours?

just a suggestion

[haydnguy]

I wholeheartidly agree with Maureen about the cost of tickets here in the U.S.
Classical concerts are not that expensive really. Certainly no more than some of the kids pay for some rock concerts.

Also, I don't really feel that it's that bad as far as being pretentious. I go to concerts with my wife. We dress decently. We're not in the "social elite" but we have fun anyway.

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by Florestan

Hi Jeff,

Good to see you.

Have those little rascals arrived in the post yet?

They sure have! I actually took a picture with them on my fingers, and have been meaning to post it... I've just yet to get around to it.

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by haydnguy

I wholeheartidly agree with Maureen about the cost of tickets here in the U.S.
Classical concerts are not that expensive really. Certainly no more than some of the kids pay for some rock concerts.

Also, I don't really feel that it's that bad as far as being pretentious. I go to concerts with my wife. We dress decently. We're not in the "social elite" but we have fun anyway.

Yes, its true. Arizona State University (in the Southwest U.S. where I live) is quite a decent school for music (although not the best for vocal musicians... I will attend a better vocal music school here in Arizona) and all their concerts are free, and their lyric operas are only $7 for students. Also, my Music History teacher has scored numerous free tickets for the Phoenix Symphony, which is really not half bad. The priciest thing I attend on a regular basis is the Arizona Opera company, and my 5 opera season tickets only cost $220 for students (granted I am in the balcony, but still).

And as far as being pretentious, I do enjoy it a little. Its almost a way of lashing back at the idiots that surround us daily... Maybe that sounds a little arrogant, and maybe I am arrogant... But it is tough when the world around you could care less about all the beautiful art around it. I also enjoy dressing nicely to attend these events. And by no means am I in the "socially elite." I will make a glorious salary of $40,000 a year AFTER 6-7 years of school obtaining a Masters degree teaching high school choir. (Just a hint of sarcasm ) And even when I hopefully reach teaching at the University, its not like its going to make me rich...

So basically, all I'm rambling I guess is that being pretentious is a little bit fun, and its a little bit fun partially because of spite... And that its not confined to the socially (or at least fiscally) elite.

[haydnguy]

Originally Posted by Jeff

And that its not confined to the socially (or at least fiscally) elite.

Agreed... thank goodness!!