Arguing for classical music’s place in modern culture

Posted on Friday 6 November 2009

Tom Service, presenter of Music Matters on BBC Radio 3, believes classical music is popularly viewed as expensive, specialised and merely an accompaniment for television adverts.

He will use the Cantor Modern Art Lecture to call on all connected with classical music, from academics and administrators to broadcasters and programmers, to take positive action to confront this view.

A former University of York student, Tom Service is now a music critic for The Guardian and has contributed to a range of magazines, books and journals. He has also taught at Trinity College of Music.

His lecture, on 10 November, will ask whether there is a link between what he sees as a decline of the music education system and the perception of classical music as ‘out of touch’.

He will also consider whether that view can be changed without fundamentally altering the music and how it is presented.

The Cantor Modern Art Lecture was first given last year and is made possible by the support of the University of York’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Brian Cantor.

The lecture will start at 6pm in the Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall on the University campus. Admission is by free ticket only, available from the Music Box Office on (01904) 432439 or boxoffice@york.ac.uk.

ENDS