Elliott Carter Doesn't Get The Love In Beverly Hills, Michigan; Mozart Disperses Crowds Of Drunken New Zealanders

Related or unrelated phenomena?

An anti-modernist Michigan lady writes to the Wall Street Journal:

I serve on the board of a small local chamber music ensemble and we confront this issue every year. For example, the musicians want to play Elliot Carter, the audience doesn't enjoy Elliot Carter's music, and the board is told by musicians that if we only would learn more about what Mr. Carter is trying to do and the theories behind his music, we would enjoy it. I respond: Why is this material unenjoyable to anyone not primed by a professional musicologist?

It's actually "Elliott" with two t's, whatevs!

But, Mozart -- who, one assumes, is a big crowd-pleaser in Beverly Hills, MI, wherever that might be -- actually makes drunken New Zealanders cower in fear:

The Hamilton City Council has deemed its latest scheme to reduce alcohol-related crime in the CBD as a resounding success. Nightclubs are playing classical music like Mozart and Andy Williams around closing time as a way of dispersing the crowds. Inner city streets have also been closed as a way of preventing cars hitting pedestrians. Hamilton Mayor Bob Simcock says the behaviour has improved greatly since the trial started.

Mozart and Andy Williams?

Opera Chic reports, you decide.

Comments

[Joe Barron]

I saw the anti-modernist lady's letter, too. So, apparently, musicians in Michigan really want to perform Carter, and she has been thwarting their wishes for years. And she's blind to the frustration she's causing. One wonders how they put up with it.

I attended the Tanglewood Music Festival this year, devoted entirely to Mr. Carter's music, and believe me, no explanations were necessary. There were a few panel discussion to provide useful background information, but believe me, the music spoke for itself.

With so much good feeling going around the Berkshires, it's a shock and a letdown to come back to the real world and find people are still writing letters like that one.

[Paolo M.]

Who is Andy Williams?

[Cristina]

Paolo, get the Andy Williams CD, "Lonely Street." It's one big heart massage.

[ICTUS TACTUS]

Ditto on the Berkshires comment-- he's hot at Tanglewood year-after-year.

[inter mezzo]

Yes, Michigan lady, Beethoven DID "require rigorous preconcert education sessions so the audience could tolerate the music and attempt to enjoy it?" Only he didn't get them, so his music was undervalued and even opposed for many years, until people finally cottoned on to its greatness.

Everything was new once. Appreciating it just takes an open mind and rather more mental effort than some people seem equipped for.

Inter Schmezzo Mezzo, Dry Prong, Arizona