In China, somewhere between 30 million and 100 million children are said to be learning piano, violin or both. Concert halls are full. And classical music will play a significant role in the Summer Olympics. But New Yorker music critic Alex Ross had some doubts about China’s music boom. We find out if a recent trip changed his mind.
Our blog: John Schaefer on China and classical music
Our blog: John Schaefer on China and classical music
About Soundcheck ®
Soundcheck® is WNYC’s on-air and online destination for new music, live performances and engaging conversations with artists, critics and tastemakers. Listeners start the conversation at Soundcheck.org and continue it with host John Schaefer every weeknight at 9 p.m. on 93.9 FM and WNYC.org.
We want to hear from you! Respond to anything you’ve heard on the show, ask us a question or share a story:
Phone: 866-939-1612
Email: soundcheck@wnyc.org
Twitter: @Soundcheck // Facebook
Comments [3]
Will the audio be available from this segment?
The future of classical music does not lie in China, or in any other merely geographical displacement. Until composers and administrators find a way to add to the repertoire in a way that is meaningful for more than a handful of listeners, the repertoire we continue to play and replay will only become more and more hackneyed and irrelevant. This will also become true for Chinese listeners, for whom Berlioz will not always be "shocking."
something wrong with the station? I cant hear a thing! Anyone else having problems?
Leave a Comment
Register for your own account so you can vote on comments, save your favorites, and more. Learn more.
Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. We reserve the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the Comment Guidelines before posting. By leaving a comment, you agree to New York Public Radio's Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use.