String quartets vs. Dubka

I went to two concerts last week. The first was of a world famous British string quartet performing Beethoven, Hayden and Tchaikovsky organised by the British Council. The second was a birthday celebration for King Abdullah and featured several of Jordan's popular singers and a troup of young Jordanian dubka dancers (dubka is a traditional Jordanian dance - very nice).

The two concerts were apart. They were both exceptional, and enjoyable, but their differences ran much deeper than the style of music performed.

The classical concert was held in Amman's nicest theatre. A security check was given upon entrance, and the audience was probably half expat. The King's concert was held in an enormous indoor sports hall at the Amman Ahlia University. No security check was given, despite the Prime Minister being in attendance, and the hall was jammed with thousands of patriotic Jordanians adorned with national scarves and clothes, and waving Jordanian flags. There were huge groups of Jordanian teenage boys chanting songs, running around the stadium and basically causing havoc. I have never seen such excitement for the birthday of a head of state before. The atmosphere was comparable to that of a football final, and many hoped that the King would make an appearance. With the lax security, we were deeply hoping that he wouldn't. It was at this concert where I was groped between the legs, some of these teenagers were truly out of control.

It was a very exciting concert and it was fantastic to see so many young people (if a little annoying) taking such pride in their country and appreciation in the talents of its singers and dancers.

The atmosphere at the classical concert was very different, just polite clapping.

Anyway, the point is, these two concerts got me thinking. In particular a comment made by one of the British Council staff as she introduced the string quartet. She said something like, the British Council is working to bring music to Jordan. Or classical music or something. And probably because I have studied anthropology, I thought, hang on, isn't that just a new form of cultural imperialism? i.e. we can't civilise them by ruling them, so let's just bring some civilised music to them...

Probably an over reaction on my part. And it certainly is nice to have a variety of music here, and I really enjoyed seeing this string quartet. But is it really the role of Britain to try and culturally develop Jordan? And even if it were, is it really necessary? Jordan has an Orchestra, it has a big music scene, it is keeping alive oriental music traditions. So why should Britain be spending money on bringing its musicians here. If it has money to spend, wouldn't it be better spent on helping the Jordanian musicians who are already struggling to make their careers here? I don't know, I don't know much about music, but after going to the King's concert and seeing the wonderful performances, Britain's stance seems a little patronising.

I'm sure there's a lot more to it than what I've said, but there you have a few ideas.