[NewMusic] Braxton on FOX

[Matt J. Ingalls]

> So, it is Cage's 4'33", and it is being exposed to a large audience via
> BBC television -- but is that really good enough? In this case, it's
> not given even remotely the same respect as a performance of Mozart or
> what have you -- notice the conductor mopping his brow and the
> resultant chuckles at the 3 minute mark.
>
> Is it really doing the music a service simply by having it pass through
> a larger number of eyes and ears, regardless of the context and
> execution?

i often think about that for any "new music" performed by orchestras. but
i am actually surprised how well this group performed.  no chuckles or 
rolling of eyes. even audience seemed into it.  way  better than most 
performance of any new music by an orchestra!  maybe the TV cameras 
helped..

i think the page turns 
between movements was their arrangement (last time i saw the score it was 
all on one page) . the only thing offensive to me was the sports
commentary afterwards..

===

as for exposing kids to new things - it obviously doesn't hurt, but i also 
think the ones that get into it are going to find out about that stuff 
eventually anyway.  what's really needed is more general arts education 
for the non-arts students -- get braxton to play on FOX, not some crappy 
(but entertaining) highschool band.  but maybe it's already too late -
  money & audience is long gone and not coming back

-m