Beethoven as bug spray
Hartford CT hopes that classical music will drive the riff-raff out of the parks. And it may; certainly rap tends to drive me away from anywhere it is. Some have philosophical issues:
UCLA musicologist Robert Fink said the plan makes Hartford's crime-fighting efforts look desperate."Beethoven is not going to save you," he said. "There are many ironies in this proposal, not the least of which is the fact that some of the greatest composers in history are now being viewed as some kind of bug spray or disinfectant."
My issue? What is music (of any kind) doing in a park, where people presumably go to "enjoy nature"? Must my entire life have a soundtrack? (Well, yes; I'm a composer, and I DO hear music...but it's my music, damnit. And it's not bothering anyone else.)
Comments
Posted by: Heather Furman
Posted on: March 6, 2006 08:20 PM
That's sad that they are resorting to taking advantage of music when that (a) most likely won't solve the problem and (b) doesn't actually address the problem!
Posted by: Jeffrey Quick
Posted on: March 7, 2006 12:54 PM
It might solve the immediate problem of getting the pimps and pushers out of the park, as well as a whole bunch of innocent people who just don't like classical music. Observe that lawyers, building remodelers, and greengrocers aren't soliciting business in the park. Perhaps the solution is to allow vendors of drugs and sex to work under the same rules all other vendors do.