As a musical purist (i.e. "snob") it's definitely not my style to sit through a concert of musical appetizers such as the Philadelphia Orchestra is serving this week as part of its "Best of" series.
Works of beauty must possess the three classical attributes of integrity, proportion and brilliance. To break a work apart destroys the first two attributes and degrades the work.
Yet I have to applaud the Orchestra for their courage and pragmatism in devising these iconoclastic programs. For the musical art to flourish and not merely survive on patronage it needs to reach vast audiences of all ages in any way it can - and hook them. This can only help.
Hopefully other organizations of equal prestige will take their cue.
(Thanks to Peter Dobrin's excellent article for bringing this our attention.)
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