classical music comes to smalls

[alocispepraluger102]

"

We had an interesting event last week -we had our first classical music salon. It's something that Mitch and I have thought a lot about doing and finally had the opportunity to. The musicians were excellent (thanks to Carlos Avila, Rebekah Durham & Amy Kang). What I was really curious about was how a jazz audience in a jazz club would react to a classical concert. The answer is that is was really successful and in an unusual way. Our audience connected with the musicians as if they were jazz musicians. That is to say, the audience, not being aware of the conventions of normal classical recitals, applauded in-between movements, cheered loudly, said "yeah, man" and otherwise engaged the artists. The "third wall" was broken down and the warm informality of the jazz club took over. The musicians were amused and, I think, delighted. People would ask questions and the musicians answered. It was a wonderful way to hear a classical concert. It was nice to have a cocktail and listen to Mendelssohn. It made me think a lot about how special a jazz room can be - not so informal that the music is ignored and no so formal that the audience is left in the cold. Another classical musician who was in the audience mentioned to me that this was how salons of the 18th and 19th century used to be - informal and fun. How can we take this paradigm of presenting music, that is to say the love and warmth of the jazz audience and utilize it to present other music, particularly classical which is so misunderstood and even feared? It was a wonderful afternoon and we will continue to present a salon each month."

[paul secor]

Seems like a good way to change the presentation of classical music and perhaps introduce the music to a new audience.

Kudos to Smalls.

[A Lark Ascending]

I've read of places in London where they do small scale concerts in nightclubs late at night. Music is played but the audience can drift in and out as they might in a club.

I think I'd find it pretty distracting; but seems like a good way of appealing to a different audience.

I recall all sorts of experiments over the years - lighting, amplification etc - yet the same old rituals seem to survive. I like the quiet and attentiveness of that format; but could happily lose the rituals, the penguin suits. And wouldn't it be nice if the conductor talked to you?