Admission is Free
Mozart in Bars? A Classical Revolution hits Houston Friday night
Revolution, it's the concept du jour.
Whether you are a rebel somewhere in the Middle East fighting for hope and change, swear off food because you don't agree with certain political economic decisions or you have given up YouTube in protest of Rebecca Black, there is a global confluence of pissed-off-ness. Many have just about had it and are ready to do something drastic, guerilla style.
The king himself said it: A little less conversation, a little more action, please.
In this spirit, classical music has met its match. Classical Revolution, a San Francisco initiative by Shepherd School of Music graduate Charith Premawardhana, is making its rounds nationwide and arriving in Houston Friday at 8 p.m. at Avant Garden. Titled "Home Grown", the program showcases local musicians including the Apollo Chamber Players, WindSync woodwind quintet and bassist Bella Leslie.
As a popular genre, classical music is at a disadvantage purely because of its name. The term really describes music written between around 1720 and 1850, and continues to be the preferred label for any composition that stems from that tradition, though the majority of works have nothing to do with that artistic period. Think Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven prior to his heroic Symphony No. 5.
The classical music stereotype evokes images of a species of socialites enjoying Earl Grey tea and scones, dainty raspberry jam included, giggling carelessly, while others discuss the intricacies of the philosophical implications of the counterpoint as it commingles with the cantus firmus, using words like polyphony, leitmotif and fagott (aka bassoon).
But such masterworks as the second movement of Shostakovich Symphony No. 10, Richard Strauss Death and Transfiguration, the opening ofCarl Orff's Carmina Burana and Stravinsky'sRite of Springhave little to do with that perception. Instead, the music often encourages raucous circular head swaying helicopter action. Dare I say bad ass? Comparing Mozart and Shostakovich is equivalent to talking about Wham! and Aerosmith in the same sentence.
It may seem like the concept of presenting classical music in bars is incongruous, but these concerts have been happening for quite a while in the name of classical music outreach, a term that I despise vehemently for its fraternizing implications of good doing, implying listeners' lives will be that much better and somehow transformed by attending the show.
Classical Revolution, on the other hand, seeks world domination, organizing a movement that will increase the frequency of classical music in bars associated with the brand, often including an open-mic reading session for chamber musicians.
"The goal of having Classical Revolution represented in every major city in the world is part of it, but not the ultimate goal," Premawardhana said. "Ultimately, we want to bring the global network of musicians and music lovers closer together to share in the non-virtual, non-digital experience of live music performances. We also want to support our local music communities by providing work and resources to independent musicians and ensembles."
Tracy Jacobson, WindSync bassoonist and Houston leader for Classical Revolution, hopes to replicate the success Classical Revolution has had in San Francisco, hosting over 500 concerts and involving 600 plus musicians in the last four years, working under a fiscal sponsorship model through the San Francisco Friends of Chamber Music.
For Jacobson, Jell-O and classical music share similarities. Though Jell-O was available in the Victorian Era, it exploded in 1904 when its new owner, Genesee Pure Foods Company, distributed free cookbooks.
"The convenience, great taste as well as inexpensive price of the Jell-O should have made it an instant success. But the general public didn’t know what to do with it, in the same way that classical music is often well loved and appreciated. Concert tickets are affordable and it’s convenient to get them, but the general public is unsure about how to proceed pursuing concerts or events," she said.
The first Classical Revolution Houston concert is Friday at 8:00 p.m. at Avant Garden on Westheimer. Free admission.