The NY Times recently ran a piece about the realities of modern classical music. I was really impressed with how evolved the working philosophies of both the composers and performers of new music has become.
For the performers, many acknowledge that most modern music is “not very good”, but nonetheless there is a responsibility to perform new works in order to discover that hidden classic. Even the music of J.S. Bach did not become popular until many years after his death.
As for the composers, they’ve come to understand that the process of vetting out timeless musical works that will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Mozart and Beethoven will likely exceed their lifetime.
Therefore they mostly focus on having fun and incorporating elements form pop, rap and electronica in ways that excite them personally. Wisely, they “let history take care of itself”.
I love that.
Mike Bielenberg
www.musicrevolution.com