Classical Pianist Calls for Shorter Concerts to Pull New Audiences

Pianist, Stephen Hough has called for classical concerts to be dramatically shortened - in order to attract younger audiences

Out-spoken British classical pianist, Stephen Hough has today called for classical concerts to be dramatically shortened - in order to attract younger audiences.

“The performance should be shorter … I think we should consider removing the interval and starting either earlier or later than 7.30 …. 60 to 80 minutes, then out ….” he has told Britain’s Radio Times.

The 54 year old international soloist indicated he played such a concert with the Los Angeles Philharmonic recently ‘… and it felt charged with an energy that the traditional concert can sometimes lack.”

“The lack of new audiences has become critical … shorter performances have proved effective in attracting a new audience …” he has argued.

Hough has also suggested that shorter performances could allow for two performances in one evening - leading to potentially increased revenues for concert venues.

“Orchestras could drop their formal dress code also ….” he has added.