Art that does not necessarily get published in hardcover or originate in Hollywood. I mean, I live in New York City. I write journalism about culture, I'm a novelist, I've been a critic. In other words, if I don't occasionally go to watch live human beings performing in small drafty theaters subsidized by foundations, then I'm failing to live up to my own standards as a citizen of this civilization. I don't want to be on the side of the philistines by default.
Serious culture requires serious consumers.
So couple of weeks ago I decided I needed to get out and renew my bona fides. Let me make clear upfront that I like a lot of the . . . I liked Philip Glass before he was popular. I have paid to hear the music of Steve Reich and John Adams and John Cage. But never Karlheinz Stockhausen.