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Post by julesd68 on Oct 26, 2020 23:51:56 GMT
Good grief.  The question is, would this 35 year old pianist be getting *any* attention if she wasn’t nearly naked? I saw someone describe her as ‘world class’ - really? World class writhing on a piano stool perhaps. But joking aside, if you listen to this all the way through, she is obviously a very well trained and technically secure pianist. But this is about as classical and interesting as her repertoire gets, otherwise it's Clair de Lune etc etc. Yawn. Donald likes her plenty it seems; it appears she will play for anyone whose wallet is big enough. www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/lola-astanova-trump-779405/ |
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Post by jandl100 on Oct 27, 2020 6:05:50 GMT
Err.
Well.
Tbh, I'd put Yuja Wang and KatiaB in the same broad class of flaunting their feminine assets to promote their pianistic careers.
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Post by MartinT on Oct 27, 2020 8:26:23 GMT
The performance has to come first.
Saying that, Wang, Benedetti etc. have every right to flaunt their looks if they so wish. Their talent speaks for them.
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Post by jandl100 on Oct 27, 2020 8:37:24 GMT
Yes, it's absolutely up to them how they wish to promote themselves. And what music they wish to play. There is certainly imo a broader and probably more lucrative audience for the more 'popular' end of the classical market.
Mind you, one person's popular yawn is another's masterpiece - the four seasons comes to mind!
All of of the female pianists mentioned in the thread have used their looks, deliberately and unabashedly revealed, to further their careers, so it does seem a bit unfair to call just one of them out on it.
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Post by Clive on Oct 27, 2020 9:12:45 GMT
Clearly the musical performance of the pianist is enhanced when not encumbered by superfluous clothing. 🙂 Let’s hope the trend does not spill over to well-fed opera singers, the spillage might not be a great thing to watch. 🧐
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Post by jandl100 on Oct 27, 2020 9:28:30 GMT
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Post by julesd68 on Oct 27, 2020 9:54:21 GMT
The performance has to come first. Saying that, Wang, Benedetti etc. have every right to flaunt their looks if they so wish. Their talent speaks for them. Nail on head young Martin - their talent comes first. With someone like KB, the music is always first and foremost - I don't think she should be mentioned in the same breath as someone like Astanova. You only need to look at her Instagram feed to see that what she is doing is something very different indeed and has nothing to do with music. |
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Post by jandl100 on Oct 27, 2020 10:37:04 GMT
I don't think it's a coincidence that many of the most recorded and successful younger female classical musicians are also very good looking.
You can provide your own lists without much trouble, I'm sure.
And all too often, the more they flaunt their 'charms' the more they seem to succeed.
Very sexist, imo.
Personally I think that's a huge shame when you consider the musical talent that must be going under-appreciated, and the career aspirations that are unfairly curtailed.
If only it really was about musical talent coming first.
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Post by julesd68 on Oct 27, 2020 11:01:02 GMT
Yes that's an interesting point. It's certainly easier for male classical musicians to break through on talent alone. There are plenty of them who are certainly not ready for a Milan catwalk show!  I believe that nearly all female musicians are there on talent, but sometimes their looks might help them break through the pack and get good management or record deals. It's there that PR and marketing takes over - I'm sure many of them get pushed into doing photo shoots a certain way as that's what's expected of them and there is often an emphasis on glamour as opposed to character. |
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Post by mikeyb on Oct 27, 2020 11:41:18 GMT
I just can't see past the cringeworthy flailing about and vigorous head tilting, all grossly exaggerated, no matter how pretty I just have to turn off.
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Post by julesd68 on Oct 27, 2020 12:03:48 GMT
Agreed. I find it embarrassing.
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Post by mikeyb on Oct 27, 2020 12:07:37 GMT
Agreed. I find it embarrassing. That's what I get too |
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Post by Slinger on Oct 27, 2020 14:09:49 GMT
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Post by Clive on Oct 27, 2020 14:29:18 GMT
I suppose someone might argue than if more people are “exposed” to classical music and happen to gain a real interest in it then that’s a good outcome.
In the days of metoo etc we’re not allowed to notice femininity verging on soft-core porn but so many celebs flaunt themselves...they say they can wear what they want, it’s their prerogative. But why do they want to dress that way...to look sexy for personal gain. It’s all a*se about t!t.
Elegantly dressed would be so much more tasteful in this context.
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Post by julesd68 on Oct 27, 2020 18:05:31 GMT
"A*se about tit."  I agree entirely Clive but like everything it's down to market forces sadly - Ms Astanova has over 200K subscribers on YT and that's just one of her platforms. So there is clearly a big market for this nonsense, including her private concerts which no doubt pay a couple of quid. I have no problem with the concept of 'easy listening' like Andre Rieu etc when it comes to classical. At least Liberace had a sense of humour about his showmanship! |
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Post by julesd68 on Oct 27, 2020 18:06:23 GMT
*SIGH* I remember when it was just Vanessa Mae everybody accused of "flaunting." I had quite happily completely forgotten about her contribution to music Paul! |
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Post by Slinger on Oct 27, 2020 19:54:05 GMT
*SIGH* I remember when it was just Vanessa Mae everybody accused of "flaunting." I had quite happily completely forgotten about her contribution to music Paul! I take it you don't appreciate her Four Seasons then, Jules? |
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Post by julesd68 on Oct 27, 2020 20:15:11 GMT
You would be correct in that assumption Paul! And what a ludicrous cover ...  |
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Post by jandl100 on Oct 27, 2020 20:26:24 GMT
That's the same look as my 5 year old great niece had when she managed to get hold of her mum's mascara. |
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Post by user211 on Oct 27, 2020 21:05:32 GMT
I think Lola looks to be struggling to contain the massive dildo that's built into her piano seat.  |
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