competing noise

Game 7, for me, was spent in the halls of the Orpheum, listening to the awe-inspiring Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and pianist Stephen Hough (who was fabulous playing Brahms! Wow...such physical diligence). Tickets were bought before the knowledge of Game 7's existence...but we were definitely reminded of the presence of Canucksmania all around downtown nonetheless. It was really the most ironic of experiences, sitting in the Orpheum enjoying classical music while the Canucks' battle to enter the second round of playoffs was going on...the conductor even mentioned at the beginning of the performance that there's probably another score that we cared more about right now...(and later informed us of it when it was final - very considerate! the crowd roared!)

During intermission, koosters and I were discussing whether high art such as this would die in 50 years...will people still pay and show up to these performances of Brahms, Haydn, and Smetana? Will a musician still be able to make a living out of playing classical music? We didn't come to any conclusion, didn't want to be determinists after all, but I think we were both fearful that this form of art is really not getting the exposure to younger generations as it should. This thought became particularly noticeable in my mind during the Haydn piece as the roaring of Canucks madness could be heard a tad too well within the concert halls. The well-articulated, precise, and heart-pounding sounds of the symphony were competing with the rampant noise on the streets, and it seemed so much to be a battle between "high culture" and "low culture"....I couldn't help but giggle to myself. However, I also really kind of despise the labels we put on different forms of culture...what I deem to be important is the ability to observe beauty within them. Can Linden's goal in the third be considered beautiful? I'd say Yes. Is the acoustic resonance of a piano, played by the gifted Stephen Hough beautiful? Undoubtedly Yes.

Anyways, I digress. (And I can't help but feel like I'm building an argument...and considering how many arguments I've been reading...I'm actually thinking through the following in my head: What's my main point? What are the premises? What are the assumptions?)