Classical Music in a Changing Culture: Essays from The American Record Guide

(Hardback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Founded in 1935, The American Record Guide is America's oldest classical music review magazine. In 1987, when Donald Vroon assumed its editorship, he took on the Herculean task of writing editorials on a vast array of subjects, amassing a wealth of commentary and criticism on not only the foibles and failings, but glimmers of light in American culture. A staunch defender of the highbrow pleasures of good music composed, played, and heard with intelligence, Vroon takes no prisoners in assessing the challenges and failures and possible successes that confront Americas future as a nation of music listeners. In Classical Music in a Changing Culture: Essays from The American Record Guide, Vroon delves into a variety of topics: orchestra finances, contemporary music, classical music marketing, attracting young crowds, musical aesthetics, the future of classical music, the sale and distribution of music in the modern era; the decline of American culture and its causes; the role of misguided ideologies that affect American music, from political correctness to multiculturalism to period performance practice, and the true richness of our music and its subculture. As Vroon argues, since all criticism is cultural criticism, music criticism in the broadest sensefrom its composition to its distribution to its receptionis a window onto broader culture issues. Classical Music in a Changing Culture should appeal to anyone serious about classical music and worried about its increasing marginalization in our contemporary culture. These essays are not written for specialists but for thinking readers who love music and care about its place in our lives.

Reviews

Theres no denying that [the author] cares passionately about classical music, to the bottom of his heart. His ideal is for performances to be deeply felt, truly personal, and movingly expressive. For that, Ill keep reading ARG, admiring the tenacity with which its editor defends the art we music lovers cant live without. * Fanfare Magazine *
Don Vroon writes trenchantly and often provocatively on a wide range of subjects, from classical music and recordings to problems with the post office, computers, the airlines, and life in general. You may not always agree with him, may even be offended at times, but he will never bore you. -- John Canarina, conductor and author of Philharmonic: A History of New Yorks Orchestra
Donald Vroons uncompromising commitment to excellence is the touchstone for all of his editorial essays. His honesty, humor and courage will require every reader to reassess formerly held opinions and to examine each topic in a provocative new light. -- JoAnn Falletta, conductor
Don Vroon is a fascinating critic, whose analyses are always fresh and come from a very strong personal point of view. Reading him is always enlightening and challenging. -- John Nelson, former director of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, author of Matrix of the Gods, and I, Robot
I have read Donald Vroon's "Critical Convictions" with unflagging interest for the past twenty- five years. These bi-monthly essays are, by turns, brilliant, infuriating, informed, irreverent, and opinionated, but, above all. they are passionate and independent-minded. Vroon has the audacity to believe that culture matters. It matters enough for him to challenge conventional opinion and reject the lazy group-think that oppresses the contemporary arts. It is good to have the best of these bold and original pieces finally gathered together. -- Dana Gioia, former Chairman for National Endowment for the Arts

Author Bio

Donald Vroon has served as editor of The American Record Guide since 1987, and he has authored many hundreds of essays and reviews that have been published in its pages. He has served as a judge for piano competitions and as a guest lecturer for orchestra executives.