Classical Music Looks for Fall

As the weather begins to cool and the leaves start to change color, many people begin to look for signs of fall. One of the most popular things to do in the autumn season is to listen to classical music.

The State of Classical Music

If you’re a fan of classical music, you might be wondering how the genre is doing these days. Unfortunately, classical music is in a bit of a slump. Record sales have been declining for years, and attendance at concerts is also down. Many orchestras are struggling to stay afloat. So what’s the cause of this decline? Let’s take a look.

Funding

Classical music is facing a funding crisis. The genre is supported primarily by philanthropy and government grants, both of which have been in decline in recent years. As a result, many orchestras and opera companies are facing financial difficulties, and some have been forced to declare bankruptcy.

The situation is particularly dire in the United States, where federal funding for the arts has been slashed in recent years. The Trump administration has proposed further cuts to arts funding, which could prove devastating for classical music organizations. Many of these organizations are already struggling to stay afloat, and the proposed cuts could push them over the edge.

In Europe, Classical music is also facing financial challenges, but the situation is not as dire as it is in the United States. Governments in Europe generally provide more support for the arts than the United States government does, and philanthropy also plays a significant role in supporting classical music organizations. However, even in Europe, many orchestras and opera companies are struggling to make ends meet.

The future of classical music is uncertain. The genre faces significant challenges, but there is also reason to be optimistic. Classical music continues to be popular with audiences around the world, and there is a growing appreciation for its beauty and complexity. With proper support, classical music can continue to thrive for many years to come.

Audience

Audiences for classical music have been declining for years, but the pandemic has hit the industry hard. Many orchestras and opera companies have had to cancel their seasons, and venues around the world are struggling to stay afloat.

Some believe that the classical music world is in a terminal decline, but others are hopeful that it can stage a comeback. One problem is that classical music can be seen as elitist and inaccessible, but there are signs that this is changing. More young people are attending classical concerts, and there is a growing appetite for more experimental and avant-garde works.

It remains to be seen whether classical music can weather the storm, but one thing is certain: it faces many challenges in the years ahead.

The Season Ahead

As the leaves begin to change color and the air gets crisp, thoughts turn to the season ahead. For many, that means pumpkin spice lattes and Halloween candy. But for classical music lovers, fall is the best time to enjoy live music. Here are some of the reasons why.

New York

As the leaves begin to change color and the days get shorter, many people’s thoughts turn to music – specifically, classical music. Classical music lovers know that fall is an ideal time to enjoy all that this genre has to offer, from The Nutcracker Suite to Beethoven’s Symphonies. Luckily, there are plenty of great classical music events happening in New York this fall.

One of the most anticipated events is the return of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra at Lincoln Center. After a summer break, the Philharmonic will resume its regular season with a bang, featuring works by Brahms, Dvorak, and Tchaikovsky. If you’re looking for something a little more experimental, don’t miss Ensemble Connect’s Perspectives series at Carnegie Hall. This innovative program presents concerts that explore the relationship between contemporary music and other artistic disciplines.

Of course, no discussion of classical music in New York would be complete without mentioning the Metropolitan Opera. The Met Opera will be presenting several operas this fall season, including favorites like Tosca and La Bohème. There will also be several special events, including a free outdoor performance of Verdi’s Requiem in Central Park.

Whether you’re a seasoned classical music fan or just getting started, there’s something for everyone in New York this fall. So grab your tickets and get ready to enjoy some of the best that this genre has to offer!

Los Angeles

For many in the classical music world, fall is the start of a new season — a time to debut new work, tour extensively or simply reconnect with live audiences after months of planning and rehearsing.

This fall, music lovers in Los Angeles will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy classical music, from live concerts to innovative new opera productions. Here are just a few of the many highlights:

The Los Angeles Philharmonic, under the direction of conductor Gustavo Dudamel, will open its 2019/2020 season on September 27 with a gala concert featuring pianist Lang Lang. The opening weekend will also include performances of Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 and John Adams’ “City Noir.” Concertgoers can also look forward to an all-Beethoven program led by Dudamel on October 3-5; a Halloween-themed concert featuring Leonard Bernstein’s “Young People’s Concerts” on October 31; and a celebration of Leonard Bernstein’s 100th birthday on November 8-10.

The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra will open its season on September 20 at the Alex Theatre in Glendale with works by Beethoven, Haydn and Ravel. The opening night program will be repeated on September 21 at Royce Hall in UCLA. On October 11-12, the orchestra will present a special program celebrating the life and work of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Mario Davidovsky, who passed away earlier this year. Other highlights from the LACO season include a performance of John Cage’s “4’33″” led by conductor Jeffrey Kahane on November 2; an all-Mozart program led by Sir Neville Marriner on November 15 & 17; and holiday concerts featuring music from Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker Suite” led by Jaime Martín on December 14 & 15.

San Francisco

As the leaves begin to change color and the days grow shorter, thoughts turn to the season ahead. For classical music lovers, fall is a time of excitement and anticipation, as the world’s great orchestras and opera houses gear up for another season of music making. Here’s a look at what’s in store in some of the world’s leading musical destinations.

San Francisco
The San Francisco Symphony opens its 2018-19 season on September 13 with a gala concert featuring violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter and pianist Yefim Bronfman. The program includes works by Beethoven, Brahms, Strauss, and Leonard Bernstein.

The Symphony’s opening night gala will be followed by a performance of John Adams’ “Absolute Jest” on September 15. The work will be conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas and will feature members of the San Francisco Symphony and the St Lawrence String Quartet.

On October 3, Tilson Thomas will lead the Symphony in a performance of Steve Reich’s “Different Trains.” The work, which was written for string quartet and tape, will be performed by members of the Kronos Quartet.

Other highlights of the San Francisco Symphony’s 2018-19 season include performances of Mahler’s Ninth Symphony (November 15-17), Bach’s Mass in B Minor (December 13-16), and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony (January 10-12).

The Biggest Fall Storylines

As the leaves begin to change and the weather gets cooler, so does the music. Gone are the days of summer anthems and feel-good pop hits. It’s time for music that reflects the change in season, and this year there are a few classical music storylines worth following. Here are four of the biggest fall classical music storylines.

The New York Philharmonic

After a long summer hiatus, the New York Philharmonic opens its 175th season on Thursday, September 20, with a gala concert conducted by Music Director Alan Gilbert and featuring pianist Emanuel Ax. The concert will be broadcast live on PBS’s Great Performances at 8 p.m. EDT.

The following night, Friday, September 21 at 7:30 p.m., Gilbert will lead the Orchestra in Brahms’s Symphony No. 1, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 (Emanuel Ax, soloist), and Stravinsky’s Dumbarton Oaks. The program repeats on Saturday evening, September 22 at 8 p.m.

The New York Philharmonic’s opening week continues with Alan Gilbert leading two works by John Adams – “Must the Winter Come so Soon?” from The Wound-Dresser (written for baritone Nathan Gunn) and My Father Knew Charles Ives – as well as Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 (“Pathétique”), Thursday and Friday, September 27-28 at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday evening, September 29 at 8 p.m., when the program will be repeated.

The Los Angeles Opera

The Los Angeles Opera’s long-awaited production of “Don Carlo” is one of the most eagerly awaited events in the company’s history. The production, by French director Olivier Py, will star tenor Jonas Kaufmann in the title role, soprano Anna Netrebko as Elisabetta di Valois, baritone Marcelo Alvarez as Rodrigo and bass-baritone Ildar Abdrazakov as Posa. James Conlon will conduct.

“Don Carlo” will open on Saturday, October 7 at the Los Angeles Opera.

The San Francisco Symphony

The San Francisco Symphony is one of the most popular orchestras in the world, and this fall, they’re set to embark on a tour of Europe. The tour will include stops in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Conductor Michael Tilson Thomas will lead the orchestra through a selection of works by Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, and other classical composers.