Concerts on the Square

The ambiance, the summer breezes, running into people you know (networking!), the food-Oh the food!  Kathleen and I brought cloth napkins, pate, imported cheeses and wines, jumbo shrimp, cous cous salad, peach blueberry crisp...I think I have gotten my point across here on the dining part.  I really like the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra.  I like Andrew Sewell's accent and how he introduces the pieces. The musicians are fine. The first Concert on the Square this season featured Beethoven with a fabulous 18 year old competition winner who received a standing ovation, romantic Rachmaninoff, and Hungarian Lullaby. . . I do not even know the names or all the composers of classical music pieces that I like. I am not a music snob extrodinaire.  But tonight was Beatles night. Last year, or the year before, Beach Boys surfin' music was featured.  The first  live concert I ever attended in high school was a Beach Boys concert and I watched the Ed Sullivan show (nope I do not care if I am showing my age) with the Beatles first American visit and just cherish lots of Beatles' music.  But, come on, WCO, "I Want to Hold Your Hand" with full orchestra sounds like bad elevator music.  I like my Beach Boys with electric guitar, not violins.  Can we just stick to classical music? And Pops, Jazz and movie scores?   Do they think this will double the annual attendance of approximately 120,000 by dumbing down the music?  The ambiance alone is so very pleasant and besides bringing your own elegant picnic, there are delightful box lunches from popular Madison restaurants to purchase. I guess my rant may be a bit on the extreme side for a lovely way to spend a summer evening and I will attend many more of these comcerts, but can't they cut the Beatles? I'd rather go to the Hody in Middleton and catch The Relics for my surfer dude and rock and roll fix.