Live recordings are killing live music

A big deal is being made in the classical music world about Sir John Eliot Gardiner’s latest business enterprise. A scheme set up by his own record label is allowing concert-goers the opportunity to take away a cd of the concert they have just watched as they walk out of the concert hall. For £10, before the concert begins you buy a cardboard record sleeve, and as you leave that evening you are given a track-listing and cd of the first half of the evening’s performance. Sir John said:

“The way things were going it looked as if audiences were going to be dwindling and getting older and greyer. And this is a way of actually bringing it right into the technological present tense.”

Most of you will will probably remember the slogan “Home taping is killing music”, and many of you will probably subscribe to the Musicians’ Union slogan “Keep Music Live“. The suggestion appears to be that younger generations will be enticed in by the promise of technical wizardry behind the stage-door. As they listen to Mozart their minds are racing away with the thoughts of hundreds of men working whirring machines in the car-park producing cd’s to order. But, pray-tell, why would that concert-goer ever wish to see that piece of music live again? If it is the gimmick which entices them in as Sir John suggests, how many are going to still be attending in a year, 2 years, 5? 

More likely, it’s a brilliant advance in the world of the concert reviewer. Now a reviewer can attend half-a-dozen concerts in one evening. Just take along your complimentary ticket, pay for the cd’s using your expense account, then listen to them on the tube home. Where do I sign up?

I have to say, I think the tube are going to be doing more to promote classical music. The BBC are reporting that TFL are going to pipe classical music into the underground in order to reduce crime and vandalism. A trial scheme in Tyneside reduced crime by 20%. I wonder how many took in the music by osmosis, and then thought they’d pop along to a concert to see if this Mozart guy was any good live onstage?

BBC News “Tube Heeds Metro’s Classical Tune”
Gramophone “Mozart to Go”

Richard Thompson – Whilst my guitar gently weeps

Just wanted to mention singer-songwriter Richard Thompson. Last week he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Radio 2 Folk Awards. Far from the bearded, real ale swilling stereotype you would associate with English folk music, Thompson is a fine songsmith. His collection of solo performances at the New York ‘Bottom Line’ Club on the album “Small Town Romance” is never off my mp3 player. From Fairport Convention to his solo albums, other guitarists can only weep at his dexterity…

Official Richard Thompson Site

Time and Relative Dimension in my Street?

    

tardis

After what seems like an age of planning, Dr Who finally landed in my street. The preparations had taken a while – fake windows and doors were fitted, streetlights and telegraph poles disguised, and satelite dishes removed.

Depsite all this, I still have to admit to being surprised when I came home to find a street party taking place in my street in period costume. The stark contrast between the old-fashioned dress of the cast, and the DKNY costumes of the crowds who had gathered to watch. I couldn’t help but muse for a while on the age of the celebrity. How people will do anything to catch a glimpse of anyone who’s had a TV camera aimed at them.

Then I stopped and stared at Billy Piper and David Tennant dancing down my street…

…it’s afflicting me too.

PS – And yes, the Tardis does land in my street!

Lazy Sunday Afternoon…

So it’s Sunday.
I have the day off.
Not only do I have the day off, but I have a stack of things to do.

So I set about prioritising the day:
 First I must do work things; the string quartet emails need answering, there’s a little website maintenance to get done, I have some music to arrange for a future wedding.
Then I must do fun things; plan for the summer trip to Iceland, browse Play.com.

So I sit down at the computer, and whilst it’s sorting itself out, presumably prioritising its own tasks for the day, I’m left with a few seconds spare. Suddenly I start to tidy the cabinet next to me, then the bookcase, then the CD collection…

Suddenly it’s 9pm and nothing’s been done. Well, not exactly nothing. I have a clean house, a well-filed house. Now I just have a stack of work to do next week that should have been done today.