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James Beaman's avatar

THANK YOU GLENN AND JOHN FOR THE SHOUT OUT! The experience of talking with you and speaking truth inspired me to start my Substack, The Cornfield. And...as a classically trained actor I have always advocated for learning from the classics as a foundation. Certainly every kind of dancer benefits from ballet training; and musicians who've mastered classical techniques can play anything. See: Wynton Marsalis and countless others...how about Misty Copeland? I doubt she feels that the ballet form she has perfected needs watering down for POC.

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Lorna Salzman's avatar

I believe there are "higher" and "lower" categories of music, and these differ not just in choice of

rhythms or melodies but in the complexity and development of the composition. How many people appreciate, listen to and attempt to understand classical music depends on their exposure to it when growing up. The fact that there are different audiences for pop, jazz, musical comedies and classical music (instrumental, vocal, opera) is partly due to exposure, partly due to peer groups, and other factors, maybe refusal or failure to actually listen to classical music of any genre. The fact is that most classical music IS more complex and more crafted and organized than pop music, the only possible exception being opera, because operas were written for popular consumption. not expensive elitist opera houses like the Met but the local opera house with affordable prices. Audiences may listen primarily or solely to the singers rather than the orchestra, because it was easier to access. But there is no doubt that early childhood exposure to classical music (even

relatively simple compositions, not Brahms symphonies) is decisive. It can start with exposure to musical comedy too, the relative of opera. But anyone who doesn't think a late Beethoven quartet is more demanding than a pop song or musical comedy probably has never heard one. There must be legions of people who tried to listen to one of Beethoven's late quartets and got bored or confused and gave up. I doubt I would have appreciated it when I was 12 and hung up on Chopin

and Grieg and Rodgers and Hammerstein. It takes years of listening for one's brain to store and

remember the patterns, voices and relationships in a symphony or quartet. You have to start with the easier, more accessible works, which your brain will store and which will be drawn on later in life after you have listened to LOTS of classical music! Listening is the key. You won't "get it" at the first performance of a Brahms symphony. You WILL get it after years of listening to all kinds of classical music. Those who grow up with out it will probably have a hard time later in life because their brain wasnt primed to hear the complexities and structure. So if you have a baby or young child, just keep your radio or CD running all the time on classical music!

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