@noldar12 said:
To ask a more positive question: How does one go about encouraging the recovery of what has been largely lost? How does one encourage others to actually take the time and effort to learn and/or master a particular craft?
That is indeed the most important question about modern culture; as we move forward much, too much is lost that really does not need to be. However, a large key player in the formulation of what modern culture will be is the education system in conjunction with the media and as of today, the two are talking past each other. Media pouring off TV tubes, other video outlets and printed press often pour a syrupy schlock over all and fail to teach. Schools struggle with programs entitled 'leave all children behind except those of the very wealthy' and we move on. We on this thread love the music and art that is the root and stem of who we are, but yet even in the concert halls and on the recorded media, producers look to what will sell so we get endless performances of Sibelius sym 2 but what about #3? #6?
I, for one am protesting the Detroit Symphony doing #2 yet again this year after just scheduling it 18 months ago. The purveyors of culture are to blame for much of the decay in culture by catering and bowing to the sphinx like flame of sales, they, in doing so, then kill of the culture they purport to support. If we could just tell producers we will vomit en masse on their front door if another release of Beethoven's Symphony 5 is even thought of then perhaps those so called guardians of taste will get the idea and exhibit a bit of creativity in scheduling concerts and releasing recordings.