Not strictly a prog topic, but I was thinking how some prog bands have to concentrate pretty intensely to achieve certain nuances etc...

Is it the musicians responsibility to connect with the audience or vice versa?

There is a blurry line and that changes from studio recording to live performance. I personally think that the greatest magic can occur when a perfect balance is struck between audience reaction and the band feeding off that in return.

Anyone have any relevant thoughts?

Any response to music (or art, or a football game for that matter) usually begins with the listener/viewer. The artist's only responsibility is to be true to his or her muse & to make the music which dwells in their soul.

If a listener connects to what the artist has made - then both are successful. If not, then neither have failed - unless, of course, no one likes the music - then perhaps the artist fails.

     I agree...as Zappa put it, "The duty of the artist is to amuse himself", if someone else likes it, so much the better...

     The connection to the audience comes directly through the music. I've heard so many lame criticisms of Miles Davis, because he didn't talk up the audience, which people invariably refer to as "contempt for the audience"...man, that guy gave EVERYTHING he had in every show he played...I saw him about 7 times, and never failed to be blown away. Actually, he respected his audience too much to subject them to vaccuous live clichés, like "You havin' a good time, Cincenatti?" But people are used to being pandered to by entertainers, and don't get that the music is what counts.