The canon of orchestral music has been in a radical state of flux for more than a quarter-century. Period-instrument groups have carved up part of it. It started in the 1970s with the music of Bach and other Baroque composers, but music by Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven has also become part of that special repertoire. The central part of the canon, the music of the 19th century, is in desperate need of some thinning out, while a neglected 20th-century repertoire needs an appropriate exploration. The expansion of the repertoire should go hand in hand with the growth of the audience.
Orchestral audiences tend to be older folks, but a younger crowd can be gotten into the seats.
With the local orchestra, I can recall two performances that drew a considerable crowd of younger patrons. One was for the trombonist Christian Lindberg, who has a cult following among players of that instrument. Bringing some more of that enthusiasm to town might also be something to weigh in choosing the next West Virginia Symphony conductor. David Williams reviews classical music for The Charleston Gazette. Write a letter to the editor .