Recording vs Concert

Musicians with busy concert schedules are generally considered successful. However, at least in the realm of art music, recordings are far more important than concerts, both artistically and commercially.

Artistic Differences

Live performances are fleeting; as long as the overall atmosphere is good, minor mistakes or moments of musical ambiguity can still lead to a successful outcome. Recordings, on the other hand, are preserved and cannot be deceived. Even the smallest mistakes are exposed. Creating a good recording demands far greater skill from a musician than performing in a concert. This is one reason why far more performers prefer live performances over recordings.

It is often said that true expression and the ability to move the audience are only possible through live performances. However, the comments on my videos prove that this belief is not necessarily true.

Acoustic Differences

In music genres like pop and rock, where interaction with the audience is paramount, concerts are, of course, essential. However, in any genre, artists who aim for high musical and acoustic perfection tend to prioritize recordings over concerts. Achieving perfect acoustics in a concert hall is nearly impossible and always requires compromise. Recordings, however, allow for the realization of ideal acoustics.

The instruments I play, such as the oud and the lute—especially the lute—are heavily influenced by the acoustics of the room. Unfortunately, there are very few venues where I can perform with acoustics that satisfy me, such as a 13th-century church in this region. Recordings, on the other hand, enable me to recreate the ideal acoustics modeled after such structures.

Commercial Differences

Concerts are extremely costly. Turning a profit from concerts is very difficult, and losses are the norm. These deficits are typically covered by contributions from local governments or sponsors. Musicians usually receive a small, one-time fee per performance. Nevertheless, for musicians who lack the opportunity or ability to make many recordings, concerts do represent a source of income.

The costs associated with recordings are much lower than those for concerts, and how many recordings a musician can produce largely depends on their ability. (Of course, recordings must be of high quality to be marketable.) Recordings can be sold as products almost indefinitely, generating long-term profits. In the past, even musicians specializing in recordings typically conducted concert tours for promotional purposes. However, with modern platforms like YouTube, effective global promotion is now possible without heavy investment in concerts.

Conclusion

As we’ve seen, live performances seem to offer little advantage beyond interaction with the audience. Commercially, concerts are not only meaningless but can even become a financial burden. Recordings, on the other hand, offer many benefits, but they remain a possibility available only to musicians with sufficient ability. This situation is unlikely to change in the future.