I had a conversation with someone after a concert a few weeks ago. And it got me thinking….

They said that they didn’t really enjoy the concert because they didn’t know any of the music. None of the music presented was challenging listening, but none of it was something that would be played a lot on the radio, or regularly programmed in concerts. I believe all of it was really good music, and worth listening to – but it wasn’t your standard concert fare for many people.

This comment has meant I’ve had some really interesting conversations with both fellow performers and concert-goers…..

Should every concert have a piece that most people know? Might be a good thing for some listeners, but many performers get bored of pieces like this. For example, I know everyone loves ‘The Swan’, but I hate playing it. I hate practising it. I hate performing it. (And yes, I know there’s a lot of ‘hate’. And no, it’s not ‘dislike’.)

Should performers present things that people don’t know, if it’s good music? Is that a good thing to do? In my opinion, yes. Now, I’m not going to play music by women composers just to tick that box. I’m not interested in that at all. Because, in my opinion, a lot of music by women composers is mediocre. I’ll leave that to others, if they want to push that barrow. But if it’s good, and neglected, then I’m totally up for it. Or if it’s good, and new music, I’m up for that too. And if you, as my audience member, don’t know it, I’m hoping you’ll trust me to come along to a concert and listen to stuff you mightn’t have heard before, and I hope I can convince you it’s worth another listen. And then another one. And I hope you’ll enjoy that experience.

What is our job as a performer? Is it an entertainer? Or a teacher, to show people new things? Or both? Should I program thinking of things I’d like to play, or my fellow musicians? Or should I think more about the audience?

I’ve not yet answered my many questions. I’m pleased that this person said what they did, because it’s made me think a lot.

I do know one thing, though. I’m still avoiding The Swan. Sorry, Camille….