ULTIMATE Beethoven concert needs help!
To all B. enthusiasts,
This is a call for help and advice on bringing to life a longtime dream of mine -- a gala-packed, pull-out-all-stops Beethoven concert.
My idea is simple -- to apply the "effects" normally used in Pop music to a Beethoven concert thus appealing to and winning over a whole new generation of fans, effectively ushering Ludwig into the 21st century. In the same vein that Hollywood modernized Shakespeare into films (ex. -- Romeo & Juliet, Richard III, Titus) that introduced the Bard to young people everywhere.
Personally I feel that ultra-conservative pedants have mired the potential growth and success of Classical Music. How long must we hold onto presumed notions of "tradition" and "exclusiveness" which only drives lay-people away? I want to create a concert that will be so visually intoxicating that even people who'd never bother to listen to B. will HAVE to listen. So many people bring misconceptions and prejudice to Classical Music (ex. -- it's "boring", it's "dead", etc.). I want to smash these stereotypes. I want to see Classical Music brought to the mainstream, to be given the universal acceptance it deserves.
For the sake of brevity, let me say that I see a concert that utilizes every bit of modernity available to us: smoke machines, podium dancers (a lot of passages in B symphonies could be easily choreographed to), strobe lights, computer-generated effects, a 40ft wall screen displaying closeups of players and conductor, lasers, and etc....
I'd also want to expand the size of the typical orchestra from 50 odd plays to more than 120. With today's high-level of musicianship and vastly improved instruments, there's no reason not go for more dynamic range (Berlioz was on to something there). After all, everything today is Bigger and Louder than it was in B's time. I'm sure he would have approved.
Let's not forget that B was all for reaching the "masses." Classical music as it is today is simply not reaching those "masses." It's a sham that pseudo-talents like Britney Spears & Marilyn Manson can get world-wide adulation while soul-enriching music is constantly passed over. There's no reason for it to HAVE to be this way.
I also see outfitting orchestral players with fashionably "mod" clothing plus a female conductor with the sex appeal to appeal. If it worked for so many bland pop talents than surely there's nothing wrong with a classically-trained femme fatale? Of course, there'd be no synthesizers or electronic instruments or amplifiers. The Integrity of the sound will remain, only the "effects" surrounding it will be enhanced.
I'd also like an emcee to announce the Italian markings of each movement and the English translation after it thereby "educating" the audience. Applause will be permitted after EVERY movement (just like in B's time!), and there'll be opportunities for individual improvisation and encores (again, just like in B's time!). It might also be great to do the Ninth symphony in ENGLISH.
Ultimately -- and this will no doubt shock "purists" -- I see "groupies" going wild and trying to rush the stage, women throwing lingerie, the whole nine yards! If pop music with all its hollowness can make fans swoon than I see nothing wrong with genuine talent -- like a violin virtuoso -- basking in the limelight. Why shouldn't they get theirs?
Here's a taste of what I envision -- a stunning shower of ethereal light, confetti strewn from the ceiling and an emcee urging the audience to hug one another at the conclusion of B's Ninth; all this while a 40 ft wall screen shows faces from around the world under the banner -- "We Are All One." Basically, it's going to be one Helluva Show.
Frankly, I don't know why nobody has ever thought of presenting classical music in this way, in a "dynamic, appeal to the masses" setting. Being young, I can tell you right now that many teenagers and young adults who'd never otherwise go to a Classical concert would definitely go to something staged in this way.
Why must Classical concert audiences resemble a retirement community? Why can't Classical Music be "dressed up" in the same way that pop music is in order to sell and appeal? Sure, there is also a need for the "austere, traditional" setting, but who will attract the millions of young people who deny themselves needlessly? What about the potential revenue and acceptance?
I've many more ideas on how such a thing could be staged and choreographed, and am currently trying to outline a feasible business plan. Of course I'm not going to kid myself, something like this will potentially cost into the millions. Not to mention the adverstising "blitzkeirg" that will be necessary to make it a success.
One thing that can cut costs is that such a "Beethoven Tour" could use the existing orchestras in each city it tours. Also, some overhead can be reduced by selling Beethoven-related paraphanalia, ex. -- caps, shirts, CDs, books, etc. at each concert.
Once such a concert tour gathers momentum I sincerely believe nothing can stop it. The time is ripe for such a happening. A growing number of people feel that pop music is beginning to burn itself out, rehashing the same tunes, copying one another over and over.
Utter disaffection will only take people so far -- can salvation really be in the form of gangsta rap and Sex Pistols? I think alot of people are secretly dying inside for truly challenging and uplifting music. Let's show them the way out!
To be honest, I've never tried my hand at such promotion so could use all the advise I can get -- how to get started, the practicals, the flat-out feasibility of it all.
I will say that I am not rich, I'm not even marginally well-off to tell you the truth, but this year my love for the maestro took me to Vienna and since visiting his tombstone I felt I should do all I can before calling it quits.
Should I just start writing letters to concert promotors or Philharmonic directors? How can such a thing materialize? Or is this really just a hopeless cause? Is anyone else out there interested in such a venture?
I think you all for your time and for hearing out this plea.
Very Sincerely,
A Beethoven Lover
This is a call for help and advice on bringing to life a longtime dream of mine -- a gala-packed, pull-out-all-stops Beethoven concert.
My idea is simple -- to apply the "effects" normally used in Pop music to a Beethoven concert thus appealing to and winning over a whole new generation of fans, effectively ushering Ludwig into the 21st century. In the same vein that Hollywood modernized Shakespeare into films (ex. -- Romeo & Juliet, Richard III, Titus) that introduced the Bard to young people everywhere.
Personally I feel that ultra-conservative pedants have mired the potential growth and success of Classical Music. How long must we hold onto presumed notions of "tradition" and "exclusiveness" which only drives lay-people away? I want to create a concert that will be so visually intoxicating that even people who'd never bother to listen to B. will HAVE to listen. So many people bring misconceptions and prejudice to Classical Music (ex. -- it's "boring", it's "dead", etc.). I want to smash these stereotypes. I want to see Classical Music brought to the mainstream, to be given the universal acceptance it deserves.
For the sake of brevity, let me say that I see a concert that utilizes every bit of modernity available to us: smoke machines, podium dancers (a lot of passages in B symphonies could be easily choreographed to), strobe lights, computer-generated effects, a 40ft wall screen displaying closeups of players and conductor, lasers, and etc....
I'd also want to expand the size of the typical orchestra from 50 odd plays to more than 120. With today's high-level of musicianship and vastly improved instruments, there's no reason not go for more dynamic range (Berlioz was on to something there). After all, everything today is Bigger and Louder than it was in B's time. I'm sure he would have approved.
Let's not forget that B was all for reaching the "masses." Classical music as it is today is simply not reaching those "masses." It's a sham that pseudo-talents like Britney Spears & Marilyn Manson can get world-wide adulation while soul-enriching music is constantly passed over. There's no reason for it to HAVE to be this way.
I also see outfitting orchestral players with fashionably "mod" clothing plus a female conductor with the sex appeal to appeal. If it worked for so many bland pop talents than surely there's nothing wrong with a classically-trained femme fatale? Of course, there'd be no synthesizers or electronic instruments or amplifiers. The Integrity of the sound will remain, only the "effects" surrounding it will be enhanced.
I'd also like an emcee to announce the Italian markings of each movement and the English translation after it thereby "educating" the audience. Applause will be permitted after EVERY movement (just like in B's time!), and there'll be opportunities for individual improvisation and encores (again, just like in B's time!). It might also be great to do the Ninth symphony in ENGLISH.
Ultimately -- and this will no doubt shock "purists" -- I see "groupies" going wild and trying to rush the stage, women throwing lingerie, the whole nine yards! If pop music with all its hollowness can make fans swoon than I see nothing wrong with genuine talent -- like a violin virtuoso -- basking in the limelight. Why shouldn't they get theirs?
Here's a taste of what I envision -- a stunning shower of ethereal light, confetti strewn from the ceiling and an emcee urging the audience to hug one another at the conclusion of B's Ninth; all this while a 40 ft wall screen shows faces from around the world under the banner -- "We Are All One." Basically, it's going to be one Helluva Show.
Frankly, I don't know why nobody has ever thought of presenting classical music in this way, in a "dynamic, appeal to the masses" setting. Being young, I can tell you right now that many teenagers and young adults who'd never otherwise go to a Classical concert would definitely go to something staged in this way.
Why must Classical concert audiences resemble a retirement community? Why can't Classical Music be "dressed up" in the same way that pop music is in order to sell and appeal? Sure, there is also a need for the "austere, traditional" setting, but who will attract the millions of young people who deny themselves needlessly? What about the potential revenue and acceptance?
I've many more ideas on how such a thing could be staged and choreographed, and am currently trying to outline a feasible business plan. Of course I'm not going to kid myself, something like this will potentially cost into the millions. Not to mention the adverstising "blitzkeirg" that will be necessary to make it a success.
One thing that can cut costs is that such a "Beethoven Tour" could use the existing orchestras in each city it tours. Also, some overhead can be reduced by selling Beethoven-related paraphanalia, ex. -- caps, shirts, CDs, books, etc. at each concert.
Once such a concert tour gathers momentum I sincerely believe nothing can stop it. The time is ripe for such a happening. A growing number of people feel that pop music is beginning to burn itself out, rehashing the same tunes, copying one another over and over.
Utter disaffection will only take people so far -- can salvation really be in the form of gangsta rap and Sex Pistols? I think alot of people are secretly dying inside for truly challenging and uplifting music. Let's show them the way out!
To be honest, I've never tried my hand at such promotion so could use all the advise I can get -- how to get started, the practicals, the flat-out feasibility of it all.
I will say that I am not rich, I'm not even marginally well-off to tell you the truth, but this year my love for the maestro took me to Vienna and since visiting his tombstone I felt I should do all I can before calling it quits.
Should I just start writing letters to concert promotors or Philharmonic directors? How can such a thing materialize? Or is this really just a hopeless cause? Is anyone else out there interested in such a venture?
I think you all for your time and for hearing out this plea.
Very Sincerely,
A Beethoven Lover
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