Comments for Dutch Perspective by Marc van Bree

Comment on Why are there no famous Dutch composers? by George Weiss

George Weiss — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 02:59:36 +0000

My take is that that many things influence the musical achievements of a country/region. According to Manynard Solomon’s bio of Beethoven, there were estimated to be over 6k piano students in Vienna alone..excess wealth had something to do with fostering creating this flowering of musical talent. Without sponsors, even for Beethoven, his output may have not be great as he may have had to take up a full time position. He never did. Other factors seem to me to be some elements within the culture, even geography. Dare I say there is German music and then there is the rest, which overall doesn’t reach the same level of complexity, beauty, and refined art. It has always facinating to wonder why the English, for example had mostly second tier composers, (can’t count Handel), when both England and Germany followed a similar course of developent in the last four centuries. In the case of the Dutch it maybe that there weren’t sufficient cultural factors driving their musical development, like a large noble class that supported music. Perhaps its just a matter larger populations, but certainly the regions like Bohemia and Moravia, which were the birthplaces of a number of Czech, Slovak, and ethnic German composers can’t be easily explained except to say that these regions were dominated by the German cultural influences.

Comment on On purpose, change, structure and relevance by A Question of (Ir)relevance. | non divisi

A Question of (Ir)relevance. | non divisi — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 15:51:46 +0000

[...] was on the League‘s mind during its annual conference, as Marc van Bree discusses here. Drew McManus hopes for a more inclusive structure of the discussion here. Another piece [...]

Comment on Remember the Alamo by Aaron Andersen

Aaron Andersen — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 14:30:29 +0000

You’re absolutely right. It’s about helping movie watchers find the place where they’d most like to watch a movie. It is product information, which greases the wheels of economic decision-making. I think Alamo Drafthouse ought to send that angry customer some Loews gift passes or something, just in thanks for all she’s done to help them in their branding.

And as long as this is just one sort of movie house, there is not a problem. If all movie houses started acting this way (which they won’t), then you’d start to alienate audiences.

P.S., I call Beatrice honey badger when she’s inconsolable.

Comment on Remember the Alamo by Marc

Marc — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 21:59:52 +0000

Yes, it’s snobbery and perhaps they’re full of themselves. But there is no mistaking. You know what you are going to get.

And this message wasn’t put out there to try to change the behavior of movie disruptors. It was really a message to fortify their brand to supporters.

It reminds me a bit of the Mac vs. PC commercials. Sure, it makes the Mac fans seem douchy. But you know what? Honey badger don’t care.

Comment on Remember the Alamo by Aaron Andersen

Aaron Andersen — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 21:37:26 +0000

I was not all that impressed by the Alamo Drafthouse story. They sound utterly full of themselves. If I want the rules and protocol and a stultifying etiquette learning curve before I’m allowed to enjoy a presentation, I’ll go to the symphony!

I do get annoyed by disruptions from the audience while I’m trying to watch or listen to something. But this is going beyond ensuring the rest of the audience can enjoy the movie. This is throwing red meat out to that audience.

Comment on Remember the Alamo by Marc

Marc — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 16:26:11 +0000

And I shouldn’t forget a prime example in classical music: Barenboim performing Wagner in Israel.

Comment on Remember the Alamo by Marc

Marc — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 16:23:53 +0000

Exactly. Yes, there is a big difference between the objective breaking of rules, and the subjective opinions about a piece of art.

But I was also thinking in the lines of Colin Firth’s criticism of edits in the King’s Speech for the US general population version. Or in the lines of David Wojnarowicz’s “A Fire in my Belly” at the Smithsonian.

Comment on Remember the Alamo by Marc

Marc — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 16:16:31 +0000

The interesting thing about that though, is that the reaction to her outburst was much more varied. The strict silence at classical music concerts and theater performances is often time mentioned as one element in the stuffiness of the performing arts. Yet, it seems to be respected at the movies!

Comment on Remember the Alamo by Caroline

Caroline — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 15:33:34 +0000

This reminds me of Patti LuPone’s rant on an audience member who wouldn’t stop taking pictures during Gypsy. http://youtu.be/WruzPfJ9Rys

Comment on Remember the Alamo by Ike

Ike — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 14:25:32 +0000

The situation is more complicated than simply sticking to one’s guns. The obnoxious texter was doing something that most everyone doesn’t like, and her juvenile rant only affirmed their dislike. Ergo, taking a firm stand against it is appealing to the overwhelming majority of the audience. Doing the same for a modern classical piece will work as well IF the piece is as universally loved as the talking/texting ban probably is. Who really expects that to be the case?