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Is it necessary to give Classical Music a facelift? (part 1)April 7th, 2009
Today, in order to attract young audiences (or maybe quite simply an audience) all efforts are oriented in the same direction: to show you that classical music is not boring nor rigid, and that you, too, are likely to appreciate it. Shortened concerts, lunchtime concerts (a little bit of Beethoven between sandwich and office), concert programs with two doses of film music for one of classical, standardization of programs so the audience does not feel “lost” (It has often been proved that the public comes to see what they already know), and so on. Well, I’m telling you, this is all wrong: classical music is not cool.
I will devote some posts to review the attempts at a makeover administered to our old friend. My objective: to show you that all this is useless and does more harm than good. Today, in this first part, I will focus on the dress code issue.
The concert ritual is often considered as being too strict, notably concerning the dress code. The public must feel comfortable, I agree with it, but one should not forget what clothing as a social code represents.
Imagine one moment you are in the artist’s shoes. You enter the stage and find the concert hall with most of the spectators wearing torn jeans, jogging suits and mini-skirts. Horreur! It would certainly make you wonder what’s happening here and why are you wearing a tuxedo. We could reverse the roles: you are in the audience and the artist enters the stage in a sloppy dress, almost in pajamas, what would be your reaction? And yes, you cannot deny it, you would be shocked (there has been precedents).
Indeed, as a pianist, I like people dressed “like penguins”. It is not bourgeois folklore, but simply a mark of respect to the artist. One cannot either deny the aesthetic side: a well-dressed public is much nicer from the stage.
The dress, be it the artist or the public, is a way to communicate. Both communicate their mutual respect to each other through the sartorial code. When one knows how easy it is to slip into a dress or a suit, it would be a shame not to do so.
In the next episode of Is it necessary to give Classical Music a facelift? We will talk about programming. See you soon!
04/7/09 - 13:54
Pierre-Arnaud, I love your line “When when knows how easy it is to slip into a dress or a suit, it would be a shame not to do so.” I agree! This “making classical music cool” business is all we hear about over here and it is driving me crazy. I look forward to hearing more of your thoughts on this!
04/7/09 - 20:06
Interesting, argument. While I agree that the notion of “making classical music cool” is ludicrous, I do feel that the audience should feel a certain level of comfort. I will agree that from the stage (I’m a mezzo ) a well groomed audience is infinitely more appealing to look at than a rag tag assortment of barely clothed people; the best crowds in my experience have included a broad mix. My most rewarding concert experiences have been in unconventional spaces with a motley crowd. Besides any audience is better than no audience. I can’t wait to read your thoughts on programming.
04/8/09 - 12:41
Mary, Chantelle : Don’t put too much pressure on me
I’m glad you appreciate my writings !
04/16/10 - 16:33
Well – you asked me on Twitter to comment so here goes: I am in complete disagreement with your argument but then it seems I have always naturally been unconventional my entire life. It’s just how I am, period.
For me personally, dress has nothing to do with “making a statement” or “making classical music cool”. If I’m to give of my best, I want to feel comfortable, relaxed and “me”. I agree with Chantelle in that my most rewarding musical experiences have been in front of a non-trad audience.
But just as I wouldn’t go to a BBQ in my pyjamas, neither would I deliver a concert in torn jeans and a dirty blouse – now that’s a lack of respect, not the fact I choose not to wear a full length dress.
In the end, why can’t the audience and performers wear whatever they like? Do we have to have rules? I went to a New Years Concert in an opera house a couple of years back and along with the jeans and jumpers brigade (myself included!), the audience was a complete mix of ladies with tiaras, smart casual and dinner jackets.
Live and let live, say I. It’s the music that counts. Just don’t ever ask me to wear a penguin suit
04/16/10 - 20:36
Oh dear, I had to re-read what I wrote, I couldn’t remember
Well, first something funny : I rarely wear a tuxedo on stage. And I totally agree with you when you say you want to feel comfortable, relaxed and “you” while playing. But I feel really comfortable, relaxed and “me” in a suit (Lucky me!). I just feel weird when dressed casual on stage. I feel like I’m rehearsing, not playing. Maybe my mistake is to completely forget people feeling uncomfortable while wearing a suit (or a long dress).
I’m not an integrist of the suit-or-dress, everybody can wear what he wants in order to feel comfortable and enjoy the concert. “Do we have to have rules?” I guess it’s a consequence of living in society, ideally we shouldn’t need them but it’s only an ideal… Ideally also, only the music should count. But “live and let live” should be possible !
04/17/10 - 16:41
Being that I have shared my life with one of your French compatriots for the last 13 years, I had to smile when I read that you feel relaxed in a suit as I feel totally the opposite!
It has to be said that the French have always had a certain “je ne said quois” in so many things when it comes to matters of style. Whilst I do admire that, it is something that is natural and, like true Spanish Flamenco, cannot be imitated.
As for society and rules – well, I certainly draw the line at delivering a performance naked – lol!