Ten minutes to write. Less time to read.

I never listen to music at home, but when I’m in the car my radio is always tuned to a classical station. What I’m struck by most is how many different symphonic orchestras there are in the world when, at the same time, it seems there is less interest in classical music. Or perhaps the interest level is the same but those of us who like this genre just keep it to ourselves.

That said, I really like it when the announcer on the radio station tells me what orchestra will play the piece I’m about to hear.  Will it be the Orchestre Symphonique Kimbanguiste from the Democratic Republic of the Congo or the Cairo Symphony Orchestra or the Angkor National Youth Orchestra from Cambodia?

I’m not sure I’ve ever heard these orchestras, but they are all listed in Wikipedia; and I hope someday they will be front and center just like the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra in Canada or the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in Australia are.

So the point of this blog is to revel in the diversity and universality of classical music. Taking it a step further, let’s revel in the diversity and universality of all music. Even the genres, like hip hop, I don’t understand.