Our readers have shown resistance to pop music as a means to attract an audience. With this weekends electrifying performance of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, it seems that the Boston Pops have thrown caution to the wind. It’s really no surprise, given they even call themselves the Pops, but what if the symphony or our very own Philharmonic gave it a whirl?
Before everyone gets in a tizzy – no, the Boston Philharmonic will not perform pop music in the 2011-2012 season. I just wonder if this is a gimmick that other orchestras have found successful. The New York Philharmonic has done this from time to time, as have plenty of smaller orchestras across the country. If it opens or closes an otherwise traditionally classical show, does that make it more appealing to a classical audience? Does it make it more acceptable?
Yesterday, I was skimming through our twitter account and I stumbled upon For Ochestra, with Walt Ribeiro. The title comes from his work, “pop songs FOR ORCHESTRA,” something that I’ve made no secret of adoring (check out: Hip-Hop Music is Profound, Sir). Some of the songs lend themselves to the concept a little easier (like Oh Land’s “Son of a Gun”) than others (like Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way”), but I enjoy the element of surprise. Admit it, there’s something brave about a guy who will arrange Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the U.S.A.” for an orchestra.
Ribeiro helped me realize that the problem with many classical interpretations of pop tunes is that the arrangements aren’t brave enough. For it to work, the artist needs to let the music take them somewhere they wouldn’t normally travel and allow for the song to maintain it’s pop essence. Many kids aren’t willing to give classical music a chance. Like all great art forms, it takes time. Similarly, many classical fans are quick to dismiss the power of pop music. Ribeiro gives both camps something to celebrate.
Thoughts? Do you think I’m silly and persistent or are you warming up to the idea? Do you think that this will help kids become more exposed to classical music or does it simply cater to their interest in pop music?
We’re a small company on the Cape making classical music CDs for kids, and while many of our titles are classics, such as Swan Lake, Peter and the Wolf and the Sorcerer’s Apprentice, several of our titles (the Tortoise and the Hare, Casey at the Bat) are brand new compositions by our Maestro, Stephen Simon.
We find it interesting when grandparents comment “oh I had hoped to see more classic titles for my grandchildren” and yet, to kids any symphonic music is “classical music”, and they seem to enjoy all of it equally.
I think that orchestras doing pop covers is actually a wonderful way to reach out to “grown” kids like teenagers and young adults who may not have been as exposed to symphonic music, to make it accessible, and from there a true love of more classic works can emerge, or an interest in playing an instrument – but if they were never introduced to it in the first place, they’d probably never arrive there. (it’s like starting out with cucumber sushi, progressing to California Rolls and then to spicy tuna rolls)
The Hip Hop Music link is broken. You need to add the colon like this:
http://www.bostonphil.org/BPOBlog/2011/03/22/hip-hop-music-is-profound-sir/
Thanks for the mention Jeff. I agree, more kids need to give classical music a chance – but they only will if you interest them with some repertoire that pulls them in. I’m not saying it has to be today’s pop music, but it should be today’s composers.
Thanks for the comments/support. Your comment on Hip Hop Music is Profound lead to a debate between my coworker Pamela and I. Her perspective on why modern works aren’t performed as often and whether or not they should be a part of our schedule will go up on the blog next week.
Seriously looking forward to this.