All the best in 2012!
Is January 3 too late to make New Year’s Resolutions? I don’t think so – especially not if they’re being made for the benefit of other people. Here’s my helpful list of resolutions to make the classical music world a better place
For Orchestras
If there were any contemporary pieces that you played in recent years that were successful and well received, resolve to play them again. Doing this will not drive you into bankruptcy (and if you’re in bankruptcy already, it’s for other reasons).
For Orchestras
If there were any contemporary pieces that you played in recent years that were successful and well received, resolve to play them again. Doing this will not drive you into bankruptcy (and if you’re in bankruptcy already, it’s for other reasons).
For Conductors
Decline at least one invitation to guest-conduct in 2012. You’re overworked, and it’s starting to show.
For Composers
In 2012, compose something that your mother would like. If she already likes the music you write, then compose something she doesn’t.
For Opera Stars
Please make a note of 2012 as the year you will not team up with some aging rocker to produce a crossover disc of pop songs and operatic highlights.
For Pianists
Practice less and listen more in 2012. Also, learn a new piece – something that’s unusual and rarely played – and perform it on a recital.
For String Quartets
In 2012, try to love each other unconditionally.
For Music Critics
Solemnly resolve to stop calling classical music just “music,” as though there were no other kind. It looks pretentious, and confirms all the crazy ideas some people have about classical music being elitist. Let’s call it “classical music.”
For Hollywood Film Producers
For a welcome change of pace in 2012, promise not to make every evil genius on the screen a fan of classical music. How’s about country, polka or calypso?
And here are two just for Canadians.
For the Canadian Opera Company
The current administration of Toronto’s Canadian Opera Company was installed four years ago. In those years many worthwhile things have been done – but not a single mainstage Canadian opera has been produced. In fact, it’s now been 12 years since the COC last staged a large-scale Canadian opera – and if the company isn’t embarrassed about this, it ought to be. The COC should make 2012 the year it decides to premiere or revive an opera by a Canadian composer in the foreseeable future.
For the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The year 2012 would be a fine time for CBC staffers to come out from beneath their desks and begin the task of rebuilding Radio 2. If a face-saving measure is needed, say that the wanton destruction of Radio 2 was all part of a brilliant master plan to build a better network, and attract a new audience to classical music. Say what you like, as long as we get our music back!
© Colin Eatock 2012
Decline at least one invitation to guest-conduct in 2012. You’re overworked, and it’s starting to show.
For Composers
In 2012, compose something that your mother would like. If she already likes the music you write, then compose something she doesn’t.
For Opera Stars
Please make a note of 2012 as the year you will not team up with some aging rocker to produce a crossover disc of pop songs and operatic highlights.
For Pianists
Practice less and listen more in 2012. Also, learn a new piece – something that’s unusual and rarely played – and perform it on a recital.
For String Quartets
In 2012, try to love each other unconditionally.
For Music Critics
Solemnly resolve to stop calling classical music just “music,” as though there were no other kind. It looks pretentious, and confirms all the crazy ideas some people have about classical music being elitist. Let’s call it “classical music.”
For Hollywood Film Producers
For a welcome change of pace in 2012, promise not to make every evil genius on the screen a fan of classical music. How’s about country, polka or calypso?
And here are two just for Canadians.
For the Canadian Opera Company
The current administration of Toronto’s Canadian Opera Company was installed four years ago. In those years many worthwhile things have been done – but not a single mainstage Canadian opera has been produced. In fact, it’s now been 12 years since the COC last staged a large-scale Canadian opera – and if the company isn’t embarrassed about this, it ought to be. The COC should make 2012 the year it decides to premiere or revive an opera by a Canadian composer in the foreseeable future.
For the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The year 2012 would be a fine time for CBC staffers to come out from beneath their desks and begin the task of rebuilding Radio 2. If a face-saving measure is needed, say that the wanton destruction of Radio 2 was all part of a brilliant master plan to build a better network, and attract a new audience to classical music. Say what you like, as long as we get our music back!
© Colin Eatock 2012
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