Audiences for Orchestral Music: Challenges New and Old. The Cases of Germany and Poland

Abstract

Technological change has impacted orchestral music for over a century, with the demise of orchestral concert audiences in their familiar form being considered by some at various times to be under threat. Access for classical music audiences however has increased over recent decades through radio, albums, and tapes/CDs/DVDs, thereby increasing the potential for large increases in classical music listener/viewer audiences. In the case of albums and tapes/CDs/DVDs, audiences have control over what and when they tune in, whereas in the case of radio, the schedule is fixed for them. Besides, in-hall audiences, adjusted for population, at orchestral concerts in Germany and Poland have been increasing, but a small number of orchestras in each country dominate. Technology has now made possible, through the live streaming of concerts, not just into cinemas and similar venues but also directly into homes, a potential substantial increase in live listening/viewing audiences; the Berliner Philharmoniker is leading the way in this regard.