Hilary Hahn gets it

If we've said once we've said it a thousand times.  By changing elements of the traditional concert experience you change audience expectations by letting them know - even before the music's started - that their preconceived notions don't apply.  When audiences are freed from their expectations and preconceived notions they are freed to experience the music in a deeper way.  In this 2008 blog post Hilary Hahn accurately describes this from an artist's point of view, and articulates why the term 'crossover' really doesn't apply.  Here's a quote.

The latest collaborative trends incorporate little of the crossover inclinations of the past. The label "crossover" refers to mixed genres: classical plus bluegrass, rock plus classical, or plugged-in, amped-up, alternatively decorated versions of standards, to name a few.  Those experiments are now considered old hat, and much of the controversy surrounding them has died down as they have established themselves in the mainstream public's awareness. Recent developments, on the other hand, are neither mainstream nor genre-driven; instead, they are organized by the artists themselves and favor pursuits that show each participant at his or her perceived strength. If anything is mixed in such projects, it is the best qualities of the performers. Through those elements, the audience is led full circle to the initial source of inspiration: the art itself.

 Yes!  If you're going to go through the trouble of smashing your audience's preconceived notions you had better take advantage of it and hit them with some awesome music.  An example of the artist-driven collaborations Hahn is referring to would be her concerts with singer/songwriter Josh Ritter.  The concerts were most like a double bill, with each of them doing their own thing and collaborating on just a few pieces.  You can read about their collaboration here and here (w/ audio). 

Comments

[Jacob Harrison]

Stuart,

You know I love the blog and your intense pursuit for transformative, evocative and fantastic concert experiences. But, I always wonder when I see language like "smashing your audience's preconceived notions."

Do you think the audience is at fault? Their notions are so "preconceived" and so they don't get it?

I don't think you are angry at audiences, but I think the rhetoric we use in important.

Anyway, Keep it up! I'm enjoying the posts!

[Dustin Soiseth]

Jacob,

Perhaps that phrase does sound too aggressive and antagonistic. However, I was not in any way blaming audiences, and never would (see Jack Delaney's comments in my most recent post). Rather, I was expressing my frustration at musicians and organizations who take the trouble to try new concert formats only to then fill them with unimaginative programs. As Ms. Hahn suggests, music is the heart of any concert experience; simply trying new things without seriously considering the art itself is, I believe, not enough.

Thanks for reading and commenting!
Dustin