...so what's music FOR, anyway?

Hi everybody,

This is just in from the BBC:

Conductor and pianist Daniel Barenboim is to launch a campaign
against Muzak - the background music which for many has become the
inescapable soundtrack to daily life.

The 63-year-old musical director of the Chicago Symphony is
delivering this year's BBC Reith Lectures, the flagship broadcast
series now in its 59th year.

In his second lecture, to be broadcast next week, Barenboim argues
that too often we hear music over which we have no control and too
infrequently do we listen to music of our own choice.

"Active listening is absolutely essential," he says.

He says that Muzak is largely responsible for encouraging people not
just to "neglect" the ear but to "repress" it.

"If we are allowed an old term to speak of musical ethics, it is
absolutely offensive," he says.

For the rest of the article, go to:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4883612.stm

Do you think background music is calming or do you think it turns us
into drones? Food for thought!

my best,

Liz

           
Received on Mon Apr 10 2006 - 01:36:05 BST