David Preiser wrote this comment on my post Response to Bill – part 2:
In the interests of bringing new audiences to the concert hall, what other types of music might entice them outside of Classical works played in films? Original film music is one obvious answer, but how many orchestras try film scores from the more modern, non-James Horner/John Williams world? The same goes for music from video games (not cutesy Nintendo fluff, but more like Halo or Metal Gear Solid, or similar genres). That music often shares more in common (in terms of instrumental sounds and musical language) with contemporary Classical music, and not even with works by those considered to be the “important” composers of our era.
We broadened it out a little, the 2 clips in response are below….
Clip 1: The Link if it doesn’t play
Clip 2: The Link if it doesn’t play
Again, let me know if you want us to engage in an arts issue, we will discuss it, and put it right here!
Ron-
Because of where the audio in the second piece ends, I don’t know how you continue. Do you go on to suggest that orchestra’s should play 5-10 minute snippets from upcoming performances? I don’t know if it is practical but as you spoke, I saw the whole thing unfolding in my mind’s eye.
Previews would happen before the conductor took the stage. Perhaps one of the musicians steps up to get things started or maybe it is a student from a local university program getting a little practical experience. It changes things up a little but also signals that what is being played isn’t the polished product.
It also amuses me to think of people subsequently coming to the next performance and complaining that they played all the best parts in the preview at the previous concert.
I am thinking specifically of a piece I heard during my first Take a Friend to the Orchestra foray where I was mostly bored until the musicians reached a section that just filled the hall and excited me. Had I chosen to return based on that being part of the preview, I might be a little disappointed having sat through all the boring parts.