As previously announced, the speaker at this fall’s Lloyd Old and Constance Old Lecture—an annual series in which we invite speakers to discuss the evolving place of music in contemporary society—is notable philosopher Roger Scruton. We now have a confirmed date and a tentative program for this lecture.

“No time to rejoice for those who walk among noise and deny the voice”
Ash Wednesday
T. S. Eliot

Walking Among Noise
Tonality, Atonality, and Where We Go From Here

Friday, October 16, 2015, 7:30pm
Elebash Recital Hall
The Graduate Center, CUNY
365 Fifth Ave, New York NY 10016

Taking a cue from Eliot’s famous line, Walking among Noise:  Tonality, Atonality, and Where We Go from Here will discuss the exceptional role of beauty, art and music in our everyday experience.  The talk will address what tonality is and why it was declared a dead language.  It asks, what are the lessons learned from the avant-garde, how can composers of “serious” music reconnect to the concert-going audience, why are symphony audiences declining, and finally, how can composers today connect with popular culture and the music that appeals to the young?

The program will feature a musical interlude with members of the Perspectives Ensemble, who will be performing selections from works by Rochberg, Webern, and Tippett.

Admission is free, but reservations are required. We will send out a community notice when reservations are open, about a month before the lecture.

Please be sure to check back with us for updates.