I’ve had a jolly time pointing out the folly of others and could go on for a long time. Failure has bred failure in the world of classical music for a hundred years now so the material is almost unlimited. The eight posts I have completed don’t even begin to get their arms around the self-defeating behavior which the classical music world mistakes for normalcy.
But Reader Steve brought me up short. If you haven’t done so already I encourage you to read his comment for yourself beneath “Rating Points & Finger Pointing:”
http://klefworldheadquarters.wordpress.com/2010/06/28/finger-pointing-rating-points/#comments
He said, “Okay Rick, if you’re so much smarter than everyone else why are you just pointing out other people’s failings? Can’t you get on with something more constructive?”
Actually he was more diplomatic but that’s what it boils down to, which is an excellent illustration of why I like Steve so much. Yes, I am proud to say I know him and yes he’s built a highly successful career marketing products and services many people had long since written off as hopelessly out of sync with the times.
So, Reader Steve poses a fair challenge and I shall endeavor to meet it.
The only downside is that no less than fifteen articles about the state of classical music will go unwritten. I’ll list the titles at the bottom of this article since I really do intend that every one of them eventually gets written. I bow to no man in the joy of blaming others.
But for now it’s on to loftier things: Coming next to this blog, “Let’s Cook Up A Promotion – Part #1.” By all means please play along at home.
To begin, let’s set some reasonable goals for our promotion. How about these?
1) Worldwide impact.
2) A positive change in the public attitude towards classical music.
3) Self-supporting through the involvement of businesses who wish to participate so they can enjoy financial gains. We want to appeal to partners who are stakeholders not just donors; though donors are most certainly welcome and will always be needed in classical music.
Are these goals reasonable? Are they desireable?
As for the blog articles which must be set to the back of the stove, here are the titles which I share in the hope of whetting your appetite and to assure I’ll be able to remember them:
It’s All Beethoven’s Fault
Meet the Voice of the Devil — His Name is Greg Sandow
The Systematic Poisoning of the Musician’s Mind
“Music Ho!” and the Tragedy of Constant Lambert
What’s the Purpose of Music?
What’s the Purpose of Radio?
Commercialism: The World’s Seal of Approval
Bastard Children, Modern Music and Child Support
The Disingenuous Tyranny of Excellence
Football and The Three Tenors
Saving Classical Music: Women and Children First
Assign Blame and Then Promote the Uninvolved
Commercial vs. Public Radio as a Classical Music Forum
Lots of People Listen Until You Give Them Reason to Leave
The Music of Polonius
July 10, 2010 at 3:07 am |
I’m looking forward to “Commercialism: The World’s Seal of Approval.”
–Yes indeed, don’t we all : ) — Rick
July 1, 2010 at 10:21 pm |
Rick:
Ouch. I intended not only to be more diplomatic but also to commend you for doing such a good job with KLEF and all of the additional things you do for music and other performing arts in our community.
That said, if I caused you to change the timeline and go directly to some more active steps, I am happy. I am interested however in the “back burner” topics you listed and hope you get to them soon.
Best regards,
Steve
Steve,
I tease you only because you’re a good sport and I hold you and your accomplishments in such high regard. This will be a better blog by moving on to positive ground though I promise to the negative for my personal amusement at any time.
–Rick