5.04: Stuffy, Boring, Old, Lame

Positive / Visible / Social (Organized): orchestras and the question of “public goods” Show Notes We talk about orchestras, ask whether financial viability is a guide to the health or importance of particular institutions (hint: Betteridge’s Law), and look at how orchestras and other such institutions can be real markers of cultural health even for the people they don’t directly affect. Links An article in The New York Times, in 1903, referenced in The Perilous Life of Symphony Orchestras, by Robert J. Flanagan: The permanent orchestra season has, as usual, been financially a bad one all over the country. With the end of April… come the bills for those who pay the piper…. There is always a deficit, which public-spirited guarantors are called upon to pay year after year. A permanent orchestra, it seems pretty welle stablished by American experience, is not at present a paying institution, and is not likely immediately to become so…. [Neverthless,] the prevailing note of the guarantors of the America Orchestras is one of hopefulness. Things are coming on; the public is being educated; it will support the orchestras in larger and larger numbers till they are finally… self-supporting. Stephen’s top three Dutch minimalist recommendations: “Canto Ostinato” by Simeon Ten Holt Joep Franssens, whose best known work is “Music of the Spheres” Jeroen van Veen Prog rock Chris likes: Explosions in the Sky Faunts (and especially their album M4) Other music mentioned on the show: Bach’s Mass in B Minor Lecrae Industrial music Stomp dance Mahler Symphony No. 2 “Resurrection” Blue Man Group Spoken word Poetry slam A few of Chris’ composed works Music “Generation Love” by Jon Reynolds – used by permission. “Winning Slowly Theme” by Chris Krycho. Composed along with hours of other music over the course of his teenage years and adult life. Maybe he’ll make a second career out of that. Sponsors Many thanks to the people who help us make this show possible by their financial support! This month’s sponsors: Andrew Fallows Kurt Klassen Jeremy Cherfas Jeremy W. Sherman If you’d like to support the show, you can make a pledge at Patreon or give directly via Square Cash. Respond We love to hear your thoughts. Hit us up via Twitter, Facebook, or email!