In an article posted on Tuesday (10/1) on Bloomberg Newsweek, Chris Farrell discusses recent turmoil at classical music organizations, then writes: “Classical music shares a problem afflicting all entertainment these days: fierce competition for eyes, seats, and dollars.… On Sunday, Americans could choose to spend their evening at a concert, a book reading, a lecture, or watching the much-anticipated final episode of Breaking Bad.… By this light, the take-away is how healthy an historic art form is in the 21st century. Classical music isn’t in trouble because it’s a dying industry destined to join the buggy-whip in the dustbin of history. No, the state of classical music is troubled because it’s a creative industry caught in the upheaval of an emerging digital economy. The traditional classical music business model, less than half a century old, is a failing economy, even as new, more entrepreneurial experimentation is underway. Classical music is being pushed into an uncertain future by the digital maelstrom sweeping popular music, journalism, book publishing and, increasingly, the lecture halls of colleges and universities. In many respects, the consumption of popular music, media, books, and classical music has never been more widespread and democratic, even while profits elude organizations and wages remain under pressure for skilled professionals.”
Posted October 3, 2013
