Programming – Sticks and Drones

Actually only ONE thing needs to change about Classical Music Concerts

December 4, 2015December 24, 2014 by Ron Spigelman

Baldur Brönnimann made waves with his 10 things he would change about concerts post, but he didn’t bring up the most important thing! So in October Baldur’s blog post went viral and not that this discussion shouldn’t take place, or that several of his ideas aren’t valid, however his list is mostly about current tastes and aesthetics and not structural change. I will give my brief take on his 10 Things and then introduce my ONE thing that I believe really will make a difference. It has very little to do with … Continue Reading

Context versus Urtext – Part 3 – Thinking Inside the Box

June 3, 2014June 2, 2014 by Ron Spigelman

To many Bach, Beethoven and Mozart IS new music. We can’t abandon the classics that got us here in the first place!

Context versus Urtext – Part 2 – The First Time We met

March 6, 2014 by Ron Spigelman

So you have become a Music Director, bravo! Time to work on that repertoire bucket list…well yes, but not yours!..

Context versus Urtext – Part 1 – It should be about not caring what we play!

January 9, 2014 by Ron Spigelman

The wringing of hands over programming might as well be the wringing of necks because it can literally put a stranglehold on the success of an organization. Warning pop culture reference and cliche dead ahead!

Classical Music is….Undead?

November 12, 2011 by Ron Spigelman

One of my pet peeves is the insane and fruitless pursuit of new audiences with marketing techniques that are so insincere and gimmicky, that we end up losing audiences! From Guitar Hero contests to DJ’s at an Opera house to $50,000 being spent on a cupcake program, it seems we try to do anything we can to pretend we don’t play concerts but just have big classical raves. However a student brought to my class something that is on the surface a gimmick, but actually is a sincere link between pop culture and the classical era….

Build a Bridge, NOT a Lighthouse!

September 5, 2011September 5, 2011 by Ron Spigelman

It occurs to me that the state of the economy seems to shift only incrementally either way, yet orchestras continue to hope that innovation and drastic action will let the good times roll. We may be stuck with the current economic conditions for years to come, and unless we have a multi billion dollar angel of mercy, we have to deal and invest with REALITY and not throw money away on hope….

Harlem In Italy – with apologies to Signor Berlioz

May 22, 2011 by Bill Eddins

I’m back. What, you didn’t miss me? For the past five days I was in the lovely city of Torino, Italy, home of the 2006 Olympic Winter Games. But really I was in New York City, north of the Upper West Side, deep in the heart of Harlem.

Dissing the Dissonance…a shout out to Alex Ross!

December 1, 2010 by Ron Spigelman

Alex Ross wrote a great article regarding the challenge modern Classical Music faces in being accepted. It is in the middle of the article that he highlights a great point that cannot be overlooked in my view. I believe the hatred he talks about is more directed to those who present new music. As presenters we too like the composers must be creative because it is hardly fair to complain that audiences wont accept something new, when we present it as if it is a premiere happening in 1865!…..