Classical gasses for the masses.

Classical gasses for the masses.

Last week NPR did a story about Igor Stravinsky's The Rite Of Spring that I thought was fabulous (it's the first story on a podcast you can download from iTunes here or you can listen on NPR here). I played cornet and trumpet in concert and jazz bands all through grade school on into most of high school, so I'm not exactly a moron when it comes to classical music, but I'm nowhere near being an expert either.

Basically the NPR piece has an acclaimed conductor sort of do a commentary track over the main points of the piece, and the end result is kind of akin to an aural Stravinsky For Dummies, and I have to admit I really enjoyed it. While much of what was discussed was on the simple end, it was enough information to allow a layperson to possibly enjoy the music of a deeper level, or even just simply get a handle on what is going on int the composition for someone that might have absolutely no reference point from which to begin.

I hear lots of moaning about how classical music is dying, and that the youth of today just aren't learning anything about it (and feel free to extrapolate this to any musical genre enjoyed by a primarily older crowd (i.e. (at this point) classic college rock, anyone?)), but perhaps the folks complaining should try to engage the people they complain "just don't get it anymore" utilizing means the "just don't get it folks" are receptive to.

Think of it; most folks are now really used to DVD commentary tracks, right? So how about commentary tracks played over or alongside particular pieces of music pinpointing what particular movements mean, and underscoring historical importance (and original reaction) , anecdotal tales, and general guidance on what to look for in order to personalize one's overall experience with a more unfamiliar art form.

I'm betting some tools like this already exist, they just need to be made more readily available and adapt to the online environment to ease their dispersal. And they have to be kind of fun and engaging. They have to draw people in. Think of it this way: You've already got a pretty awesome product in the form of music that has stood the test of centuries (or decades, depending on your target crowd and chosen musical genre), all you need to do is get it back in the hands of the people, and today that is so much easier and more possible than it has even been in the past.

Just a thought.