I like to think of myself as “progressive” and attempt not to live in the past.

The root word “progress” suggests “moving forward.”

But because time never stops and is always moving forward, does that mean that every innovation is an example of progress?

Not in my mind.

I recall reading the forward in one of Jim Unger’s Herman Treasury that the definition of right and wrong “depends on where one gets off of the bus” and I look at progress in much the same way.

Allow me to apply this to music.

Prior to Thomas Edison’s invention of the phonograph in 1877, the only way to consume music was in a live performance situation.

As neither the ability to record and thereby preserve a musical performance, nor the ability to amplify music existed, it was imperative that architects design buildings with the finest acoustic properties for live performances, because that’s all there was.

If any reader has visited any of the finest concert halls in the world such as Carnegie Hall in New York, the Palau de la Música Catalana in Barcelona or the Musikverein in Vienna, you would be aware of their incredible acoustics and lack of amplification in a theatre that holds several thousand patrons.

Imagine Luciano Pavarotti standing centre stage in one of those venues with a full orchestra behind him and not requiring the assistance of a PA system to be heard.

The auditory experience is amazing!

Now think of your favourite artist today.

To see and hear your favourite artist, you will likely have paid hundreds of dollars for a decent seat yet be hundreds of feet away from the stage, and when they take to the stage, you will be bombarded with audio at immense (read: dangerous) sound pressure levels (measured in decibels)!

Modern day artists........

© Sarnia Observer