The level of societal sophistication in the US is considerably lower than it was in the 1970's (though which I lived, and which was arguably the peek era of popularity of American symphony orchestras.
Quite a few of the high-profile older players - from that era - stayed on - rather than retiring - as the pay scales (certainly adjusted for 2026 inflation) nearly skyrocketed, in some cities.
High art only thrives when there's a high level of civilization.
As a person born in the US in the mid-1950's, clearly American cities are less "civil" as compared to earlier in my own lifespan.
I'm aware that my views are a bit skewed - as I live near one of the least civilized and most dangerous cities in America, but all American cities (regardless of whether any particular individual has the long-term points of reference that some of us have) are less sophisticated culturally, and either somewhat-to-extremely more dangerous, societally.
Subtle signs are
- architecturally-beautiful and structurally-sound buildings being routinely raised and replaced with either brutalist public architecture or garbage-structures, such as fast-food joints
- (though whitewashed over with auto-spoken comments such as "art is a matter of taste") just plain and inarguably ugly (if not depressing) art displayed in public places. Even newly-erected statues of admired historical figures appear to have been created by juveniles (EVEN THOUGH we have AI, which - theoretically - could come to the rescue).
a local-to-me example:
https://static.standard.co.uk/2025/10/0 ... &width=960
Besides high art finding itself difficult to thrive where - overwhelming - lowbrow art is produced and consumed, high art itself is morphing into low brow.
Rather than with a classic overture, it has seemingly become the "new tradition" for symphony orchestra concerts to begin with a piece that (again: "brutalist") tends to assault the patrons (rather than inspire or even entertain), and typically being acknowledged with tepid/polite applause.
My son-in-law (Pittsburgh Symphony) grabbed us some comp. tickets (when we visited for a grandkid's Eagle Scout award ceremony, which was that weekend), as they were playing Tchaik 5 when we were up there.
I looked over the program, asked him if the first piece on the program is "good", he made an odd facial expression and answered, "I really have no idea" (even though he played on that piece).
...so symphony orchestra concerts are now often begun with brutalist/assaulting pieces (or mediocre works, based on their origins), as well as (as the culture and civilization continues to decline) not only resorting to several (if not now 100% - with some orchestras in smaller cities - "pops" fare) but - additionally - gimmick concerts, such as playing along with the soundtracks of old movies and video game sound affects. (Pops concerts are "fun" - and fun for the musicians - but (as everyone openly admits) the revenue from the "lowbrow" (pops/movie-playalongs/video game tunes) concerts is what financially enables the production of the classical concerts.
yes...
SOME cities continue to fill up their classical concerts' seats.
Most of the concerts' I've attended in Pittsburgh continue to seem to mostly be sold (well, they're just so *damn good - which is obvious to even the most casual listener...The violinists are so strong and their pitch is so sure that they can actually - if requested by the music itself - make themselves sound like a very large TRUMPET section.
), but - local-to-me - I've rarely witnessed a sold-out symphony concert - at least, not with the "classical" concerts (and back in the 70's - this same orchestra offered a [1] Friday night concert, [2] a Saturday night concert, and [3] a Sunday matinee. Today, only a few of the local-to-me concerts are both offered on Saturday and Sunday. (It seems as though four or five rehearsals should result in at LEAST two or three shows, yes?)
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and hey: Thankfully, they've NOT bulldozed their gorgeous/amazing (Heinz) Hall - replacing it with some spartan/brutalist "scientifically-designed-by-a-renowned-acoustician" hall, as - admitted - Heinz Hall itself is part of the experience.
bloke always posts "political" stuff, and stuff that's just plain wrong.
ok...Show me (above) "political" and show me (above) "plain wrong".
