Note: the use of the word “classical” is annoying. Sometimes it can be taken to mean exclusively western music, sometimes a certain period… in this post I am simply using it to encompass a worldwide genre of a more traditional way of making music, using a wide range of instruments… essentially as opposed to modern stuff you hear on the radio.
I know there’s a kind of movement within the classical music genre and “those weird people who listen to it” to actually encourage non-listeners to overcome their fears and take the plunge into full-on classical music listening. ZOMG BIG SCARY ORCHESTRAS AND WAILING LADIES. And while I’m sure most of my readers are very intelligent beings and know that there is actually nothing to be afraid of when confronted by instruments such as french horns, or long pretentious words like fortissimo, you must nevertheless admit that a large proportion of you people do not listen to classical music regularly. And I am sure an even greater proportion of your offline friends and acquaintances won’t even go near the stuff.
The thing is, amongst no-way-I-don’t-listen-to-that-weird-classical-shit people there is a kind of feeling that classical music players and listeners are part of an elite pretentious crowd who “understand” the music and don’t think anyone else can understand, because it’s “clever” and “more intellectual” than other kinds of more popular music. Or, at the very least, there’s a feeling that it’s just odd, and “different” and “not for them”.
In response amongst the classical listeners there’s a mostly prevalent feeling that this is NOT true, and there’s a move to try and interest non-listeners in classical music, because it’s NOT elitist, and it’s for everyone, and we should try and push away the prejudices.
But I, as a life-long lover of Classical… and then Baroque, Romantic, Minimalist, Neo-Classical and Expressionist music, as a violinist and a classical singer, and as a would-be Music student and then graduate, beg to differ. I AM an elitist.
BUT WAIT. See, I love classical music so much I think everyone should listen to it. Of course, there will be the people in the world who just don’t like that kind of music, just like I don’t like hip hop. I think. And then there will be the horrible people in the world I am forever prejudiced against and will never, ever understand, like my ex-boyfriend, who don’t like music FULL STOP. But everyone else should at least try it out, just like I think people should listen to other genres they’ve never tried.
“YAY!” you say, “Ann isn’t an elitist! That’s just a nice opinion!” OH NO. The reason I want everyone to listen to classical music is because I think it is better than all other types of music. And I think it is better because it is more intricate, more deep, more versatile, more evocative, and more far-reaching than any other type of music. Obviously, the “better than everything else” IS just an opinion, but you get my point on the elitist thing.
I think I am perfectly justified in saying all this stuff, because unlike the majority of you people, I have studied these kinds of music in depth, plan on doing so for the foreseeable future, AND have got to the point where I analyse everything I hear in detail, add a timestamp to it, make an educated guess to the composer and even figure out why this song has got to number 1. I have JUST read that over and realised how patronising that sounds and OOH I THINK I JUST LOST A FEW SUBSCRIBERS.
And yes, I’ve even got to the point where I refuse to listen to classical music on the radio because they pronounce names wrong, and call pieces of music “relaxing” and “invigorating” when they are so obviously only doing it for the pretentious factor because HOW is a calm violin sonata “invigorating”? Yes, you may award me double elitist points for that.
But now you see – there are two types of classical elitists. There are the actual pretentious ones who, believe me, sometimes even scare ME away from music because they honestly believe that they are better, posher, and more intellectual because of the type of music they listen to. Most of the time they don’t care two straws for the music they listen to, and rather than appreciating it for the awesomeness that it is, actually degrade the stuff.
And then there are the nice ones like me. I firmly believe that the music is better and “deeper” than any other, but I don’t claim to be any better than you just because I spend a lot of time listening to it, appreciating it and studying it. And believe me, I’m down with the “spread the WORRRD. Classical music is AWEEESOMEEEE” people out there. I want everyone to appreciate it for the wonderful music it is. But let’s face it – there are classical elitists, and there always will be. And I’m proud to be one, and I hope you will be one too.
(Be prepared for a crash course in all these different, awesome, clever types of classical music, coming to a blog near you)
Tags: awesome, classical music, me, Music
I enjoy all sorts of music. I’m not too big on classical music, though. When it comes to things like that, I prefer Baroque. Classical composers, I don’t know, I guess I’m too much of an elitist show-off for even them. I need my flourishes and my Baroque stuff. As far as classical music being deeper and more intricate than all other types of music, I disagree, but that’s okay. In Asia, Africa, North America, etc. there are lots of different types of traditional and non-traditional music that require so much time and dedication and that involve the intricate, the deep, and the thought-evoking. Some of their instruments have amazing ranges too. To say that classical music is simply better than the rest of the world’s music without having heard it first … no.
Ahhh… but I didn’t mean exclusively western “classical” music (which admittedly I didn’t make clear). I particularly like traditional Indian and African music too – Ladysmith Black Mambazo is <3 – and I'd happily include that in the genre. I still believe all those forms of more traditional, "older" music, no matter where it comes from, to be a cut above the more modern popular music.
A lot of the people I know who don’t like classical music don’t actually think it’s too different or too intellectual. Their superficial reason seems to be “It’s so boring! It puts me to sleep!” :p
Anyway, I like some classical music, just like I like some music from all genres. I’m not a huge fan of when people try to justify their music preferences as being better or more noble or more unique than other people’s, because I think it all comes down to personal preference. And most of the time, I tend to prefer music with words because above all, I like music with fun or meaningful lyrics. But then again, I don’t know anything about music despite having played violin for eight years and piano for two. (Basically, I can read music, I can play the instruments I mentioned, I can tell when notes are out of tune, and I can recognize some composers, but I never gained the appreciation for classical music every other violinist seems to have.)
The way I see it, there’s two kinds of people in the world: those who do things because of how *they* will be perceived, and those who do things because they genuinely love and appreciate them. Maybe the scary elitists you describe are among the group of people that get into that type of music because they think it will make them seem posh or whatever — not because they have a genuine appreciation for the music itself.
That being said, there’s no doubt that classical music has its benefits. It is actually the best type of music to expand your mind (in a quite literal sense — musicians’ minds are larger and more intra-connected than non-musicians!). Classical music also has the potential to evoke a wide range of emotions, and reinforce the ability to learn. And these are just a few benefits; undoubtedly, there are many more!
I agree that everyone should learn to listen classical music, but I think that -for the majority of people- this type of music is an acquired taste. I listen to Classical music occasionally, and I really enjoy symphonic renditions of metal songs (I know, I know… but it’s still awesome xD). Actually, the fact that metal shares a lot of classical qualities is amusing in itself!
I listened to classical music tons and tons when I was studying to be a classically trained ballet dancer. After all, classical music and classical ballet go hand in hand. Since I stopped dancing, though, I haven’t really listened to it much. I don’t mind classical music and will listen to if it someone plays it, but I’m much more into words than music overall.
I’ve gained a fondness for Classical and Baroque music once I started to learn how to play the violin, and even though I don’t play my instrument anymore, I still listen to Classical or Baroque. I find it easier for me to study when I’ve got instrumental music going on in the background.
To me, music is purely subjective and it all goes down to one’s taste, so sometimes I’m a little puzzled when people criticize others for the music they listen to.
I got a lot of “Oh, you listen to Classical? That’s so boring!” back in my middle school days.
Well I know that I am certain kind of elitist when it comes to music occasionally. I try not to be, but sometimes it happens. At the moment classical isn’t something I listen to, I don’t hate it. I think I have one album of classic music even… and who knows maybe I will start listening to it in future.
But saying that classical music (whether it’s western or not) is “deeper” than any other other music… uh I disagree. How do you even measure or determine this “deepness” of music? Why couldn’t some random rock/rap/jazz/blues/emo/metal… etc artist create song that is just as “deep” or even “deeper” than random classical song? Perhaps I don’t know the answer, because I don’t listen to classical music.
I think the “deeper” thing has to be taken along with the “better” – it’s just my opinion, because everybody finds different things deep, just like they find different music good or bad. I class it as deep though because of the complexity of the different melodies and harmonies, the textures and ranges of timbres found in classical music, which I’ve just not experienced in such great detail in any other kind of music.
I agree with you about Classical music being for everyone! I never understood certain people who would go around ONLY listening and confining themselves to one type of music or genre. I love all types of music and I would never rule out certain genres. I happen to love classical music too, sometimes it really helps me to relax. For a while, I even listened to some piano pieces to help me drift off to sleep! I’m sure you know Yiruma’s “River Flows in You” piece ^^ xoxo
My true appreciation of classical music was brought on by the fact that I had to take several music history classes to get my piano certification. I don’t think people realize how much modern music is based off of classical music. The chord progressions, structure, and ideas have transcended time and what we’re listening to now was formed from music produced hundreds of years ago. Having said that, I don’t think anyone should judge others based on their musical tast, nor do I think anyone should limit themselves to listening to ONLY one genre of music.
I don’t think all classical music is necessarily “deep”, but I guess it depends on whether you mean classical as in the genre, or classical as the era. Organum in my opinion isn’t “deep”, but fugues sure as hell are.
I’m looking forward to your next few music related posts.
Having studied music myself and being a lover of classical music in pretty much the same way you are, I lift my cup to you in an elegant toast!
I came upon your blog while I was browsing and I’ve got to say, I don’t really have an opinion on the whole elitist thing or w/e. But if you tell a person that classical music will raise your ACT scores, everyone listens to it for a month before the ACT! It’s pretty awesome in fact. Everyone kept wanting mozart and bach’s fugues, etc. before the ACT at my school. But just a music suggestion. I’m sure you’ve heard of Rachmaninoff, but if you haven’t, you should definitely check him out because piano concerto no. 2 is the best. I’ve listened to it so many times!