Classic rock

The local classical station introduced a new Saturday evening lineup tonight. It consisted of two hours of 1960’s era rock and then an hour of hypnotic rock with screaming guitar. It grated on me.

Why is a classical station playing screaming rock? To cater to weekend partiers? To increase its listener base? To garner more subscriber support? Well, when they go outside the limits of ‘fine’ music they lose the support of people like me.

It got me to thinking. It’s sad that schools emphasize sports over music. Both involve teamwork, of course, but by denigrating concert bands we are losing something finer in life. We are losing the ability to learn and appreciate a language that connects us to other cultures and times.

Why don’t schools have rock bands? Because, despite what many rockers want to think, it’s easy to learn guitar, bass, and drums. Granted, the superstars develop it to a level that most people can’t imitate, but it’s nowhere near the ability that has to be developed over years learning to play a concert instrument.

What’s it worth to realize that the last phrase of a Bach invention, even in its strong structure coming out devastatingly maddening and flowingly beautiful, is nothing short of cool? What’s it worth to realize that a Chopin piece is a description of the last moments of life, much more descriptive than words could ever approach? What’s it worth that research supports the fact that harried music doesn’t really relax us – it merely reflects and adds to our insane pace -- and instead classical and easier jazz can? What’s it worth to understand an ancient language and tradition, adding depth and context to existence? What message do we give our youth when we show that an aspect of human excellence isn’t really that important? What do we accomplish by making brute force equivalent to fine achievement?

The denigration of fine music is pretty much the same as believing that liberalism is a bad thing. It reflects that one hasn’t taken the time to learn something higher and pretends that where they’re at is high enough, in extreme cases deceiving themselves into believing they’re at the highest level. It is, in plain terms, ignorance on parade. The further a culture descends into this condition the sillier it becomes. It settles for immaturity that can’t see beyond itself.

No, I expect a classical station to play fine music. Even if it means a smaller donor base.