Description
Book SynopsisFounded in 1935, The American Record Guide is America's oldest classical music review magazine. In 1987, when Donald Vroon assumed its editorship, he took on the Herculean task of writing editorials on a vast array of subjects, amassing a wealth of commentary and criticism on not only the foibles and failings, but glimmers of light in American culture. A staunch defender of the highbrow pleasures of good music composed, played, and heard with intelligence, Vroon takes no prisoners in assessing the challenges and failures and possible successes that confront America's future as a nation of music listeners. In Classical Music in a Changing Culture: Essays from The American Record Guide, Vroon delves into a variety of topics: orchestra finances, contemporary music, classical music marketing, attracting young crowds, musical aesthetics, the future of classical music, the sale and distribution of music in the modern era; the decline of American culture and its causes; the role of misguided
Trade ReviewThere’s no denying that [the author] cares passionately about classical music, to the bottom of his heart. His ideal is for performances to be deeply felt, truly personal, and movingly expressive. For that, I’ll keep reading ARG, admiring the tenacity with which its editor defends the art we music lovers can’t live without. * Fanfare Magazine *
Don Vroon writes trenchantly and often provocatively on a wide range of subjects, from classical music and recordings to problems with the post office, computers, the airlines, and life in general. You may not always agree with him, may even be offended at times, but he will never bore you. -- John Canarina, conductor and author of Philharmonic: A History of New York’s Orchestra
Donald Vroon’s uncompromising commitment to excellence is the touchstone for all of his editorial essays. His honesty, humor and courage will require every reader to reassess formerly held opinions and to examine each topic in a provocative new light. -- JoAnn Falletta, conductor
Don Vroon is a fascinating critic, whose analyses are always fresh and come from a very strong personal point of view. Reading him is always enlightening and challenging. -- John Nelson, former director of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, author of Matrix of the Gods, and I, Robot
I have read Donald Vroon's "Critical Convictions" with unflagging interest for the past twenty- five years. These bi-monthly essays are, by turns, brilliant, infuriating, informed, irreverent, and opinionated, but, above all. they are passionate and independent-minded. Vroon has the audacity to believe that culture matters. It matters enough for him to challenge conventional opinion and reject the lazy group-think that oppresses the contemporary arts. It is good to have the best of these bold and original pieces finally gathered together. -- Dana Gioia, former Chairman for National Endowment for the Arts
Table of ContentsIntroduction Essay 1: Elitism Essay 2: Education & Culture Essay 3: Don’t Educate Us; Entertain Us Essay 4: Fun Essay 5: Fads and Trends Essay 6: The Romantic Art Essay 7: Orchestra Finances Essay 8: The New and News Essay 9: Contemporary Music Essay 10: Airheads Essay 11: Marketing and Image Essay 12: Marketing Idiocy Essay 13: Marketing and Its Discontents Essay 14: Seeking Out the Best Things in Life Essay 15: Multiculturalism Essay 16: Later: Black Musicians and Marketing Essay 17: Attracting a Young Crowd Essay 18: The Land of the Obvious Essay 19: On Spiritual Matters Essay 20:Attentiveness and Judgment Essay 21: Attentiveness II Essay 22: Absorption Essay 23: Feeling Essay 24: Does Quality Have a Future Essay 25: Performance Practice Essay 26: Aesthetics and Criticism Essay 27: PPP and True Authenticity Essay 28: PPP II Essay 29: Cultural Suicide Essay 30: Cultural Suicide 2 Essay 31: The Golden Age Essay 32: The Nostalgia Trap Essay 33: Surtitles Essay 34: The Death of Service Essay 35: Distribution Essay 36: Browsing Essay 37: Is the Internet the End of Records?
