Ghastly ad

I was in a

store, and heard an ad on a classical station for a Shostakovich festival put on

by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. “Celebrate Shostakovich,” said

the ad, “with spectacular performances.” Or something like that. “Celebrate” and

“spectacular” were certainly words the ad used. I pulled out my little notebook

and wrote them down.

This was

ridiculous, of course, and almost offensive. Shostakovich isn’t celebratory or

spectacular. He’s bitter, wry, and painful. Yes, he’s dramatic, but not in

spectacular ways.

This is yet

another way in which classical music is drained of all meaning. Who cares what

Shostakovich really is? It’s classical music! It’s a celebration! It’s

big, grand, and colorful! Can anyone imagine talking about any other serious art this way?

“Celebrate Spielberg, with his spectacular Schindler’s List.” That would

just about be obscene.