I do not particularly enjoy the term “classical” nor do I think it has the ability to undergo a “revolution.”  It would be similar to the Victorian Era suddenly dominating society and having to revolt against what were societal norms to justify that corsets and powdered wigs were cool…

What this idea term is relying on is the laymen’s understanding of what “classical” actually is:  art music played in concert halls.  No, Mozart is not being remixed at this event, which would probably be closer to an actual classical revolution.  All that being said, what Classical Revolution – PHX is doing is taking this art music that is played in concert halls, presenting it in more non-traditional places, and commissioning new works by living composers (obviously) in the process.  Basically, it’s a giant kickstart for that lineage of music, and it’s really cool, but with a very misleading name.

So why am I talking about this?  Because I’m indirectly involved in it.  I had the great fortune of being one of the commissioned composers for the upcoming concert entitled “Paradise Winds:  Debut,” which will feature five works – all Phoenix-based composers – and two world premieres:  a reed quintet by Tom Peterson, and my very own Four Characters for Woodwind Quartet.  One of the neat things about this concert is it is in a museum, a venue that seems to be an increasingly popular place for new music concerts, and – most importantly – it’s FREE!  I mean, why wouldn’t you go to such a concert?  You get to talk in, see the sights of the museum, hear some music which you may or may not like, and be a part of a world-wide movement to make music that is contemporary to you more prevalent in the world.  And it’s all at zero financial cost to you!  ZERO!!!

And what’s even more cool than all of this is that, should you not be able to make it out of your house, you can watch it online!  Which, quite frankly, means you don’t even have to watch the performance.  You can turn it on like a radio and listen to it in your underwear while you boil ramen in your kitchen.  We’re making it that easy!

Special thanks to my friend Joey Kluesener for bringing me into this whole deal (listen to him talk about this project on TWiP), and to the Paradise Winds for the commission and playing the snot out of a piece that I’m pretty sure most would deem “unplayable.”  They’re going to take the valley by storm, and when that happens, where will you be?