Ticket To Ride

Notes on the Program

by Steven Blier

I recently round myself on the telephone with a prominent man from the highest echelons of artist management. He inquired about this year’s NYFOS programming and schedule, and regretted that he would be in Europe for our opening Schumann concert. “What’s next?” he asked. “Well, actually, we’re doing a recital of Lennon and McCartney songs.” A brief pause. Then, “WHAT?” “Ah, you know, the Beatles?” Long pause. Then clarity. “Oh, I see. Very camp. Very camp."

I was so startled by his construction of this program that I was speechless to contradict him – a moment of unintentional good judgment. Camp conjures up images of bad old black-and-white movies, industrial strength irony, disproportion, and exaggeration carried to giddy heights. My Dad defined it as “a good example of a bad thing.”

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