Last Saturday night was a first for me. Orchestra Kentucky performed Beethoven's Fifth Symphony in a thoroughbred horse barn. The experience made me wonder whether it was a first for that piece. On a deeper level, however, it begs the question of whether orchestras should bring music to the masses or whether they should wait for the general public to come to them.
Let's look at the advantages of performing in a barn. First, the barn was a great venue. The acoustics were actually good. Some audience members got to sit in a loft and look down on top of the orchestra (when does that ever happen?). Other audience members were seated close to the orchestra, where they could "connect" with them. The barn also enabled us to sell food and drink--something we can't do at our usual venue. The biggest advantage was that it was a comfortable, relaxed setting--unlike the typical performing arts center.
The disadvantages? None really. Lest you wonder, the barn did not smell like horse manure. The weather was great. But if it had been any colder or warmer, that would have been a negative. Seating was limited, although there was plenty of room for the crowd we had that evening.
All in all, performing masterworks in unusual places is a good idea. If the same program had been in a traditional venue, I am afraid that we would have attracted the same crowd. By performing in the barn, new audience members were present. Why? Perhaps there are those who don't like the idea of a stuffy concert hall. Or, more cynically, maybe there are those who think that the fun of attending a concert in a barn outweighs the boredom of a symphony orchestra concert. No matter what the reason, attracting new audiences is a good thing. And I don't think Ludwig would mind.
