{mp3: wnyc audio}
When it comes to certain kinds of performing arts, I am sometimes subject to the condition known as N.Y.E. In common parlance, that’s New York Envy.
I recently read reviews in both the New York Times and The New Yorker of a concert at Columbia University’s Miller Theater by the Flux Quartet in which all the string quartets of Giacinto Scelsi were performed. Who is that? I had no idea until I read the reviews. Here was a dillitante Italian composer of noble birth who chose to write music based on single notes or tones. It sounds like either a stunt or a pointless exercise, but according to the reviews of this concert, his music has an uncanny ability to get under the skin of a sympathetic listener, something akin to the chanting of Tibetan monks. It also has the feel of something that would be more effective in the ambiance of a concert hall rather than a recording.
Will we ever program it on our Fresh Ink series in Kimmel Center Presents? It certainly fits the mission of that series to present cutting edge classical music unlikely to be presented by any of the Kimmel Center’s resident companies. But then I look around at the audience last week at our first Fresh Ink concert of the season by Wu Man. She’s a part of Yo Yo Ma’s very popular Silk Road Ensemble and the music she performs on the pipa, an ancient Chinese lute, is very accessible if unfamiliar to an average listener. No avante garde, single tone music here on which to grit your teeth. The audience at her concert appeared quite taken with both the music and her virtuosic performance of it, but it was a small number of people. How many of them would show up for an all-Scelsi concert?
I’ve developed a strong curiousity when it comes to new, unfamiliar styles and performances of classical music. It’s no particular credit to me; it’s just who I’ve become in recent years. And as a marketer, I’m trying to find other people like me to attend these Fresh Ink concerts. I know where to advertise in the rest of Philadelphia’s new music scene. A ticket costs as little as $26, so I know that most college kids and young professionals can afford it. But I can’t always seem to entice enough people. At least not enough to have an all-Scelsi performance.
It you’re interested in testing your boundaries with music that’s different, but not terribly difficult, then I’d advise you to stop by on January 21st for Mozart: Reloaded. Check it out on kimmelcenter.org. I promise there’s more than one tone to this music.
http://wnyc.vo.llnwd.net/o1/soundcheck/soundcheck110305c.mp3
http://www.newyorker.com/critics/music/articles/051121crmu_music