Today I fly to the Netherlands, returning Wednesday night. I'll be giving a co-keynote speech, at a gathering of Dutch classical music people, focusing on Dutch orchestras. My co-speaker is Magnus Still, a very savvy Swedish marketer, now living in Finland. He and I should make a fine one-two punch, with me giving the larger picture of why classical music is having trouble, and him giving some practical advice about what to do right now. After that, we'll both take part in a debate for a smaller audience, again focused on Dutch orchestras. I … [Read more...]

After reading my last post -- the one about the pigeon -- Matt Westfall posted a comment, very reasonably asking what classical music might share the pigeon's aesthetic world. It was fun thinking about that. Here are a few thoughts. I'd be happy to hear more. Mine seem fairly obvious, at least to me. No need to stick to pieces as famous as most of these.Steve Reich, Clapping MusicJohn Adams, Chamber Symphony (plus many others)John Cage, Sonatas and Interludes for Prepared Piano, 4'33"Debussy, Afternoon of a Faun, Petite Suite, moreBoulez, Sur … [Read more...]

Here's the title character (and friend), from The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog!, a terrific children's book by Mo Willems.  There's a series of these books: The Pigeon Wants a Puppy! Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! And more.As anyone can see, the pigeon and his friend owe a lot to modern art. They're completely at home with the visual styles of our time, as are their readers, adults and children alike. So here's another disconnect between classical music and the outside world. Families love these pigeon books. But if the pigeon looked like a … [Read more...]