Tim Dickinson wrote:

>>Arts organizations, including symphony orchestras, are struggling for
>>survival and yet some worry about people who applaud classical music.
>>This topic has reared its head in this thread by people who describe
>>the associated performances as "great" and "fine".  Hello?  *This* is
>>a problem?!?!?

AND Kevin Sutton replied:

>That art organizations are struggling is not reason to dumb them down
>to the level of sporting events.  Orchestras etc are struggling because
>of a culture that values the lowest common denominator over that which
>truly takes more than brute physicality to accomplish.

Dumbing down is a problem, but  is the standing O a significant
manifestation?  I do not think so.

It is after all, a stretch to characterize a standing ovation as a
manifestation of brute physicality, although a modest physical effort
is required- no denying it.  The comparision to a sporting event was
simply in terms of enthusiasm- nothing brutal or dumb about that.  We
need not worry until hot dogs and beer are sold by vendors during the
concert.  Come to think of it the Boston Pops is dangerously close to
that state of affairs, but the Boston Pops is not really a musical event.

My favorite dumbing down is the low state of classical music on public
radio, and particularly the ubiquitous and (I must admit) useful "All
Things Considered".  Often music is discussed- sometimes at great length
and in great detail; but NEVER is there serious consideration of classical
music- well, almost never.

Bernard Chasan