Subject: | |
From: | |
Date: | Fri, 6 Oct 2000 22:15:38 -0500 |
Content-Type: | text/plain |
Parts/Attachments: |
|
|
Bill Pirkle wrote:
>Could someone enlighten me as to what public service music critics perform.
>How is life better with them here?
As the artistic director of a young and struggling (financially)
professional chamber choir, I can say that I am delighted to have critics
come to my concerts. For good or bad, people take stock in what they say.
If we get a positive review, then the chances of someone who has never
heard us risking the ticket price for our next concert jumps tenfold.
Where live music is concerned, the critics help to spread the word that
a new group or a specific concert or production is worth investigating.
Furthermore, a copy of a good review from a respected critic tucked into
a fund raising letter does a world of good in helping people decide on the
yes vote to send a check. The Dallas Morning News critic, Scott Cantrell,
has done wonders for us and I for one am delighted he is around.
>What kind of music world would it be if there were no music critics?
A far less informed one, resulting in much fine music making going unheard.
>Are music critics certified or accredited?
Most are, some aren't. The two that I know well (John Ardoin and Scott
Cantrell) are both degreed musicians and degreed journalists.
>Should they be taken seriously or is it just another amusement item in the
>paper like the cartoons and the horoscope.
If they prove to be knowledgeable, then yes they are. They are also
entertaining. They also help folk decide how and where to spend their
entertainment dollars.
>Is there any politics involved?
Certainly, and certainly not. It depends on where you are and who
is involved. Harold C. Schonberg took every shot he could at Leonard
Bernstein. (Bernstein, in turn, loathed and feared him.) John Ardoin did
not care for the late Eduardo Mata when he was at the helm of the Dallas
Symphony Orchestra. Personalities and politics certainly play a role.
Just look at Fanfare magazine where ad dollars = positive reviews without
fail!
>Seriously, I want to know - how would the music world be different if there
>were none.
See above!
Kevin Sutton
|
|
|