[Doc On The Bay]

Classical Music--especially, "CLASSICAL MUSIC,"--carries with it the assumption that the "Audience" is familiar with the music; Thus the "Audience" "Fills-in" the " Unintelligible Parts" by Knowing the "Libretto!"

I've always felt that this "assumption of Knowlege & Sophistication" has been a Detriment to the Rightful Enjoyment of the "Great Works" by us "regular People!"

AT Their BEST, the "Great Musical Works of Art" are able to evoke emotions in us BEYOND those we encounter in our ordinary lives.

Through these "Works," we glimpse a "Grander View" of our lives.

In past Years, we were Trained to understand the "Power & the Message" of the "Great Works" in School; but our generation has neglected to "educate" our Children, so that they could understand the Language of Music & Poetry.

Our "Public Schools" have--once again--Failed Us.

If we are Ignorant of the rich heritage of our Race, HOW can we expect our Citizens to choose Wisely when asked to Determine Our Destiny??

There are NUMEROUS "GREAT WORKS OF MUSIC" which CANOT be "Understood" without "Translation!"

YET, if we CANNOT UNDERSTAND these VERY SPECIAL & UNIQUE expressions of the "Human Condition," HOW can we decide "Where We Should Go??"

Past Generations took Special Pains to educate our Children in the "Special Language" of Classical Music--we have FAILED to continue that "Education."

I Fear that for This Reason--& Others--we may need GENERATIONS to re-establish the level of "Civilization" we have enjoyed!

Doc

[Hon]

Classical Music--especially, "CLASSICAL MUSIC,"

You sure make fine distinctions!

[Hon]

Kidding aside, you're quite right. Do you realize that there is only ONE full-time 24/7 classical music radio station west of the Mississippi? In Santa Barbara, CA.

[moodyskeptic]

You are asking bigger questions than the thread implied. and that is why I love FR. "regular people and the Grander View"

indeed

For me, I maintain that unless a friend has Kind of Blue in his collection, we should not discuss anything deeper than the weather. Okay, I stole that from Leonard Feather.

A musical foundation used to be a given in a well rounded education.

As I age, I find that I have less and less patience with peers that have no idea of music beyond the obvious hits of their teen years. It's almost like meeting someone who doesn't know -or care- who Babe Ruth was because he was from another era.

I'm no snob, just a guy who had some good teachers over the years, who would drop strong hints to those who cared.