“It is a conundrum that has long puzzled the grandees of the art world: how to enthuse younger generations about the joys of classical music,” writes Camilla Turner in Wednesday’s (3/21) Daily Telegraph (U.K.). “Now, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s (RPO) managing director believes he has found a solution. Classical music must ditch its name and refer instead to ‘orchestral music,’ he has suggested. There is a certain ‘stigma’ attached to classical music which is off-putting for youngsters who see it as old fashioned, according to James Williams. He said that orchestras must ‘recognise the need to change with the times’ and ‘think more broadly’ if they want to widen their appeal. ‘Classical music has a certain stigma attached to it in certain people’s minds … There is a perception that classical music is for older people.’ He said that research commissioned by the RPO shows that they need to diversify their range of concerts in order to appeal to new audiences…. He said that young people will find the term ‘orchestral music’ far more relatable since it is an art form which they come across incidentally in popular culture.”
Posted March 23, 2018
