‘Classical Funny Bones’
Published 8:00 am Saturday, May 30, 2015
Crossroads presents “Classical Funny Bones” by Lisa Bergman on Sunday, June 7 at 4 p.m. at Orcas Center.
Bergman gets her audience to ask, “Classical music is serious stuff – or is it?” With a live performance and colorful anecdotes – from catgut strings to Mozart in the marketplace – a behind-the-scenes adventure by Bergman awaits you. Running the gamut from tear-jerkers to hilarity, what makes classical music tick? Sackbuts and lap viols are just the tip of the iceberg.
Bergman, concert pianist, KING FM on-air host and passionate promoter of classical music, will reveal innermost secrets of five centuries of music as she turns things inside out. Crossroads’ season finale co-sponsored by Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival. Tickets $10 at Darvill’s or at the door. Some complimentary tickets are available at the Orcas Senior Center.
Sounder: Your talk is called “Classical Funny Bones.” Why blend comedy with classical music?
LB: Because of the gross misconceptions that classical music is “for squares,” for the elite and is stuffy and intimidating. It isnt! Some classical music is intended to be humorous, and sometimes humorous events happen during classical performances. Why not enjoy these elements and laugh yet again? Victor Borge was an international sensation with his brilliance at providing glimpses into the lighter side of classical music. My sampling is in the same vein.
Sounder: We have so much access to music now, whereas in many eras the only music you could hear was from a musician right in front of you. How does that shape the way we listen to music from the past?
LB: Yes, we have tremendous access to recorded music and that’s a good thing. But LIVE performances co-exist, and in this way modern audiences continue to enjoy the same thrills as audiences of 400 years ago. Sure the performance venues are larger, but the modern audience is accustomed to that. House concerts still DO have a place in our modern world and are becoming more and more popular. So we are recreating concert venues of the past now, in the 21st century.
Sounder: Why are you passionate about promoting classical music?
LB: Because it deserves passion. It is a product of passion. Sometimes it IS passion. Sometimes all it takes to inspire new passion in a listener is to provide an introduction to classical music – to break the ice, to bust the misconceptions and to open the doors to a world of melody, harmony, rhythm, architecture, virtuosity, joy, pathos, tears, laughter, peace and gratification.
