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Sexualisation of women in the classical music industry

62113 Views 575 Replies 60 Participants Last post by  Becca
Time and time again people have certainly opined on the presentation of female performers, wether it be Yuja Wang's dress, Lara St. John's CD covers or Anne Sofie Mutter's pose (recently those violinists were pointed out in the worst cd covers thread). Each of these cases, according to different people, have come down to a general conclusion that sexist inclinations of today have influenced their physical appearance (on varying levels). Even on this site there have been debates as to modesty on stage, the importance of appearance, wether women should conduct an orchestra and so on, which all end up boiling down to the same (if not a similar) debate.

What say you, TC, on the topic of sexualisation of women in the classical music industry?
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Well, I for one need a comprehensive list of these trashy sexualized covers so I can judge for myself.
I seem to recall one, although I would find it difficult to describe as sexy, of an Asian woman in some sort of get-up that makes her look like she has a head-to-toe tattoo :lol:
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It isn't confined to women. Male performers are also sexualized.
When the music is playing it doesn't matter. I can honestly say I haven't spent one cent on music because I thought the performer was a babe.
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I hate classical music. I collect Anne Sophie Mutter albums for the covers.

Everyone needs a hobby.
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I can honestly say I haven't spent one cent on music because I thought the performer was a babe.
OTOH, I've spent plenty on babes over the years. Fast women and slow ponies, story of my misspent life.
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....

Without shame the man I like knows and avows the deliciousness of his sex,
Without shame the woman I like knows and avows hers.

Now I will dismiss myself from impassive women,
I will go stay with her who waits for me, and with those women that
are warm-blooded and sufficient for me,
I see that they understand me and do not deny me,
I see that they are worthy of me, I will be the robust husband of
those women.

They are not one jot less than I am,
They are tann'd in the face by shining suns and blowing winds,
Their flesh has the old divine suppleness and strength,
They know how to swim, row, ride, wrestle, shoot, run, strike,
retreat, advance, resist, defend themselves,
They are ultimate in their own right--they are calm, clear,
well-possess'd of themselves.

....

Walt Whitman
That is a beautiful poem. Love Walt! Now, was there anything in it about wearing mini-skirts, high heels, and low cuts and posing provocatively for album covers? It seems, the kind of sexuality he describes is the exact opposite of all that.
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Well, I for one need a comprehensive list of these trashy sexualized covers so I can judge for myself.
Fax it to me when finished.
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OTOH, I've spent plenty on babes over the years. Fast women and slow ponies, story of my misspent life.
Well, at least you have your priorities right.
Maybe Lara St. John wanted to express herself that way as its an important part of her personality...or maybe it was the producer's idea, I don't know.
I remember reading an interview or something in which Lara St. John talked about the strong sensuality of Bach's music. That understanding (with which I agree) may have contributed to her decision on the cover.

Addendum: I am OK with that cover. She is not dolled up and prettified; she is just naked (with some make-up). The viewer can decide whatever to perceive.
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Why are all the cable news broadcasters extremely good-looking? Don't even apply if you aren't.

Good looking people ALWAYS have a huge advantage in society where success is concerned.

Could I have over 8900 posts if I was ugly?
With your current avatar you ought to hit 10,000 posts real soon.
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With your current avatar you ought to hit 10,000 posts real soon.
It's nice, but I'd rather discover 3-5 interesting pieces of music I don't know about.

Found one already thanks to dholling: Medtner's Piano Concerto #2; a fine, big, romantic piece, in the Rachmaninov vein, so sadly neglected.
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It's nice, but I'd rather discover 3-5 interesting pieces of music I don't know about.

Found one already thanks to dholling: Medtner's Piano Concerto #2; a fine, big, romantic piece, in the Rachmaninov vein, so sadly neglected.
Have you ever noticed how dificult it is to describe Medtner's Music without invoking Rachmaninov?
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A modestly-dressed Yuja Wang (well, more than usual) in a publicity shot for her Rachmaninoff/Prokofiev concerto album.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/817TAVJuEQL._SL1500_.jpg
For this cover I and my consultants have decided to try something a little daring. We thought it would be a cool experiment to cover more of my soft, radiantly lovely skin than usual with this sleek, colorful little number. Maybe it's not exactly what my fans expect, but it's just meant as a bit of harmless fun and we're not trying to offend anyone. I mean, you all know what's under it, right? Notice how the back is not actually low-cut, but merely gives the illusion that it might split open if I bent over. Isn't that what Americans call a "wardrobe malfunction?" Haha. I just love American audiences. And then notice how the pattern over my *** makes it look as if someone cut out a piece of the dress and my buns are catching the light invitingly. See? I'm really very covered up, but you can pretend that I'm not! You like? Oh, I hope so. But don't worry! You're going to see lots more of me in my next album!
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Have you ever noticed how dificult it is to describe Medtner's Music without invoking Rachmaninov?
Yes. There are direct similarities. I would say the main difference between them is Rachmaninov had a genius for creating memorable melodies and Medtner, sadly, not much.
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I've actually seen Medtner described as "Rachmaninov without the tunes." Not really fair, but Medtner himself knew that his friend Sergei had that gift and that he did not. The two apparently had great fondness and respect for one another.
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2
For this cover I and my consultants have decided to try something a little daring. We thought it would be a cool experiment to cover more of my soft, radiantly lovely skin than usual with this sleek, colorful little number. Maybe it's not exactly what my fans expect, but it's just meant as a bit of harmless fun and we're not trying to offend anyone. I mean, you all know what's under it, right? Notice how the back is not actually low-cut, but merely gives the illusion that it might split open if I bent over. Isn't that what Americans call a "wardrobe malfunction?" Haha. I just love American audiences. And then notice how the pattern over my *** makes it look as if someone cut out a piece of the dress and my buns are catching the light invitingly. See? I'm really very covered up, but you can pretend that I'm not! You like? Oh, I hope so. But don't worry! You're going to see lots more of me in my next album!



Sexuality and physical beauty have been a key element of the arts since ancient... even prehistoric times:



It is easy to judge miss Wang. So she's a **** or something akin because she has made the choice to use her physical attractiveness to her advantage? Perhaps she simply wishes to embrace the possibility that classical musicians need not look like old frumpy Victorian-spinsters. Perhaps she would challenge the notion that it is only the tanned, toned, American blonde (no offense Marschallin) who can be sexy... that Chinese women should all dress as if Mao's cultural revolution were still in force. Perhaps she simply has no shame in celebrating her own sexuality... and if this sells more CDs... so much the better.

Perhaps as a visual artist I am well aware of the power of the visual and fearful of any Puritan efforts to censor or shame.
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I like that StLukes has at emphasised the agency of the woman in all this talk of sexualisation! Other than that, no useful comments on the matter
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Enough is enough. It must stop.

Now, now. Vilde Frang is actually a kickbutt violinist :D... and honestly that's a homely cover.
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Time to call out the National Guard!

Honestly, Charlotte Church sucks. I never really liked her singing to be honest.
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