But where’s the orchestra?
Catching up on Twitter a few days ago my interest was piqued by a link to the Free Music Archive, a newly-established library of free and legal downloads. [via @culturite] What grabbed my attention – and probably should any performing artist’s – was the following from the FMA statement of purpose:
Every mp3 you discover on the Free Music Archive is pre-cleared for certain types of uses that would otherwise be prohibited by outdated copyright law … Inspired by Creative Commons and the open source software movement, the FMA provides a legal and technological framework for curators, artists, and listeners to harness the potential of music sharing.
Clearly, the kinds of web-powered sharing and promulgation that have already transformed other industries are gaining stronger footholds among artists and musicians. To me the only unfortunate aspect of the FMA is that it offers no category for orchestral music. No surprise, I suppose, given the general antipathy within the symphony business towards more open sharing of recorded product.
Note to orchestra folks: if we don’t join this revolution quickly and whole-heartedly the title of this post will apply to much more than a missing category on a music sharing website.
