Page 91 - Results 2015: AC/E Programme for the Internationalization of Spanish Culture

MUSIcArtiClE91/publishers, other festivals and agents ina space where they can share ideas and projects. Finally, through small concerts and recitals, the artists can show theirwork to a great number of programme planners on the look out for signing up talent for their own festivals. In this sense, it is the participants themselves who mark the content of Classical:NEXT. “We are a participatory event and everybody is invited to come and take part in the programme,” says Krause: “ at is really appreciated by the participants; they design and build, we simply provide the platform.”Although classical music is a consolidated scene and, seemingly, peopled by optimismistic professionals, there are still many challenges ahead, such as adaptingto new technologies or capturing new audiences. ose are subjects widely under debate at the Rotterdam event. “ e most important thing is to maintain our self- esteem while questioning our routines,” says Klaus: “ e classical music tradition remains of value only if we are open to experimenting with concert formats, with programming and with stage presentation.”Why not sell beer at a concert? Why not open festivals to more genres and greater interactivity? Why not hold talks between artists and audience? ese are some of the questions arising during the event and which might help to inform a public that otherwise nds it di cult to digest long complex performances. What is very clear for the Classical:NEXT organisers is that the problems facing classical musiccan only be tackled if all agents involved come together to see eye to eye. “ is is not just an event for doing business and to debate or to see the best showcases,” says Krause: “Classical:NEXT is a collective movement that creates the spirit of what we are going to do in the year ahead.”Within such considerations, it is worthwhile looping at the role that our country has placed, plays and will play on the classical music stage. “ ere are and have been for hundreds of years excellent musicians, ensembles and orchestrasin Spain at the highest level and class,” says Krause: “ is rich tradition or legacy is worthy and needs to be disseminated internationally.”In that light, initiatives such as the AC/E Programme for the Internationalisation of Spanish Culture play an important role. “Spanish professionals must take advantage of these opportunities in order to think in a more international way and to not sticking to attending conferences, forums and events in their own country only,” says Krause: “What’s more, Spain has a great potential to show the world, with di erent elements that make it unique, such as Flamenco or Manuel de Falla.”