Breaking: BBC cancels concert after Glasgow disaster
mainThe BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra issued the following notice at 5pm, a coule of hours before concert time:
Following last night’s tragic incident, and its developments, BBC Scotland has cancelled tonight’s concert, Japanese Masters conducted by Ilan Volkov, out of respect for everyone affected. We are very sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you but we hope very much that you will understand the reason for our decision.
The tragic incident referred to is this.
“Where words leave off, music begins.”
― Heinrich Heine.
I do not want to criticize the decision to cancel the concert. What happened in Glasgow is terrible. I am not aware of any specific reasons for this decision. Those may concern the orchestra and its members and relatives that might be involved more personally in this tragic accident.
Music, in general, but especially classical music, can be very appropriate to play in situations of sadness and sorrow. In general I would suggest orchestras to maintain concerts, but with a special musical introduction and a minute of silence to commemorate the victims. I think that can be a very appropriate reaction, recognizing the strength of music to comfort. Remember the recent item on this blog: after the assassination of President Kennedy: Erich Leinsdorf decided to play the second movement of the Eroica.
I concur with Jheronymus. In the unlikely event of my being directly effected by a similar event, I think I would feel upset at the cancellation of a concert in my name. But, of course, grief is a highly personal matter, and I realise that many people would feel differently.