John G. Deacon wrote of Decca hiring a prostitute to record some
classical piano music, and the desperate straits that are inducing that and
other companies to lower their standards.  I don't know anything of the
prostitute's musical abilities, but she likely is very good with her hands.

I think that the situations John described are primarily one-shot deals to
make some fast money; I don't see a major problem with that approach, and
it can put some additional funds in the classical accounts.

I also don't think that these one-shot attempts have anything to do with
the long-term goal of redefining classcial music to increase the audience.
Companies have short-term and long-term goals; the only requirement is that
the two types do not play against one another.

John also mentioned the well-known Vanessa-Mae who has garnered much press
through her cross-over violin playing and exuberant stage presence.  She is
being used as part of the plan to redefine classical music(she uses as
well), and her success should tell us something.

Don Satz
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