In a clash of the heavyweights, the Cambridge Union Society has brought together Radio 1 DJ Kissy Sell Out and broadcaster Stephen Fry to debate the idea that classical music no longer has a place with today’s younger generation.Taking place on May 12th, the stars will attempt to win each other over with their unique take on the motion.
Fry, an alumnus of Queens’ College, Cambridge is passionate about classical music and will be debating for the motion whilst DJ and producer, Kissy Sell Out will be on the opposing side.
Greg Sandow and Ivan Hewitt will join the two debaters respectively for the discussion, which takes place on the same evening as the Classic Brit Awards.
Celebrating the achievements of British and international artists over the preceding year as well as featuring performances from a host of world-class soloists, the show is due to be headlined by Myleene Klass.
Advocates and opponents to the statement will be pleased to learn that for the first time in its 196 year history the Cambridge Union Society will be streaming the debate live on the internet from 7pm.
Kissy Sell Out is a DJ and producer who has a weekly show on Radio 1. He has released one critically-acclaimed album named Youth and is planning to release the follow up, Wild Romance, later this month.
Writing in the Independent ahead of the debate, he explained his point of view.
“Sadly, classical music has always been a largely elitist form of artistic expression, aimed at the higher classes … it is a sorry state of affairs, as music scenes that transcend social boundaries of age or class should surely be of the upmost importance in youth culture,” he wrote.
On the other side of the coin, Fry has been the host of award-winning documentaries, appeared in film and on television and written four best-selling novels.
He also has a love of classical music and in his documentary Wagner and Me explored the problematic associations of Wagner’s work.