Joshua tackles the uncomfortable question of why classical musicians look so serious or even miserable when they perform.

Perfectionism, late nights, concert tours, and pressures all play their part, but when we look at other genres that make performing look joyful and spontaneous, does that mean that something's lacking within classical music?

Is it just seriousness from concentration, nerves, composers' intentions, or have we created a culture where looking serious is part of the act?

Most importantly, could the way that we perform classical music actually be sending the wrong signal to the people that we're wanting to enjoy this music?

SHOW NOTES

Why They're Not Smiling: Stress and Discontent in the Orchestra Workplace Seymour and Robert Levine, Harmony (1996)

https://iml.esm.rochester.edu/polyphonic-archive/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2012/02/Stress_Discontent_Levine.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Why We Look So Miserable — The Guardian (2005)

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/dec/16/classicalmusicandopera2

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