Beethoven Quote by Esa-Pekka Salonen
“If you think of the history, in the days of Brahms and Beethoven and all these guys, almost every concert was a new music concert. To play something old was really an exception.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Discussing programming trends, 2004
Historical concerts prioritized new works; performing older pieces was rare, highlighting a culture of continual innovation.
In simple terms: Concerts favored new music.
Embrace novelty while preserving valuable traditions.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- programming
- education
- audience development
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can programming balance novelty and heritage?
- What role do audiences play in shaping repertoire?
Focusing solely on new works can marginalize historic masterpieces.