Anachronism

The Business of Classical Music as a Composer

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Gustav takes you through a very recent story relating the challenges of distributing his music for streaming services.

Currently, there is a struggle with genre: What is ‘Classical Music’?

When a composer uploads music into the world of streaming, it is quite confusing where the composer fits in this process. 

  • How does the process of uploading music for a classical music composer differ from Folk and popular music?
  • Why can't the composer be listed as the primary artist? 
  • The music is a little different and usually performed by an ensemble instead of the composer. Shouldn't there be a different process for this large umbrella called "Classical Music?"

    • As you will hear, some classical music has words, some do not. Some is more focused on the harmonies rather than the rhythms. Is this why it is challenging? Maybe "classical music" is too broad a category.

    • Snippets:
    • Mars, the Bringer of War from Holst’s The Planets
  • Bach Brandenburg Concerto no. 3: II Adagio
  • Beethoven Piano Concerto no. 5 (‘Emperor’): III Rondo
  • Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiem: II. Denn Alles Fleisch
  • Grieg Peer Gynt Suite no.1: I. Morning Mood
  • Gregorian Chant Agnus Dei
  • Stravinsky The Rite of Spring: Glorification of The Chosen
  • Strauss Salome: The Dance of the Seven Veils
  • Debussy La Mer: II. Play of the Waves
  • Brahms Wie Melodien Zieht Es
  • Bartok Duke Bluebeard’s Castle: II. The Arrival
  • Scarlatti Preambulo and Allegro Vivo
  • Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet: Death of Tybalt
  • Copland Rodeo: IV. Hoe, Down
  • Tsontakis Ghost Variations: II Scherzo

    • Can a classical composer make money on their music with streaming?  Or are live shows the only way for a composer to make a living? 

    • To make minimum wage selling albums:
    • 1.65 albums/hr : 3300 album sales
  • To make minimum wage streaming:
    • amazon 1172 / hr : 2.3M streams to make minimum wage for a year
  • iTunes - 1785 / hr
  • google 3000/hr
  • YouTube 6250 / hr
  • spotify - 8,334 / hr
  • apple match - 75,000 /hr

    • If you would like to share your thoughts about this episode, please email Gustav at [email protected]

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    AnachronismBy Gustav Hoyer, Composer
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