I’ve been following the Facebook updates from two friends who, thanks to a conference, are in Paris for the first time. Their adventures have provided me with an apt metaphor of how we should treat art music.
Without the benefit of reading or research, these two people are simply wandering from quarter to quarter, taking pictures that include “a beautiful old church” as well as some creative graffiti in forgotten little alcoves.
They don’t actually care about the history of a building or a street, but they are thoroughly enjoying their hours of walking.
This is the same way a lot of people experience art music for the first time.
Like more diligent tourists, many first-time classical concert goers worry whether or not they know enough about what they’re going to hear to be able to enjoy it properly.
Those of us who could act as guides should, I think, encourage newcomers to chill and, instead of worrying about preparation, behave like my two acquaintances and enjoy the experience.
Like most people who give Paris a chance, my guess is that this couple will return for more in their own time, in their own way.
Isn’t that what we we wish for art music, as well?
John Terauds