Why is it such a taboo to enjoy listening to “classical” music? It’s the one thing I’ve never really understood, growing up can be tough sometimes (I’m only a mere 17!). Since the age of about 6 I’ve played the violin and still do. I’ve played in numerous orchestras and have just become a member of my national one. But it’s angered me somewhat that some people in this day and age are just so insolent (sp?) when it comes to “classical” music. It is, afterall, the basis and firm foundation of every other single form of music as we know it today! And you don’t have to be a “geek” or “nerd” to enjoy it either - I listen to all kinds of music - from reggae & ska, punk and indie to classical.
Interest in classical music among young people is a rarity. Therefore anyone young who likes classical music is ‘different’. And ‘different’ people are easy to victimise.
It’s nothing to do with the music itself. It’s about other people needing to grow up a bit.
Well, part of the disdain could be because of those annoying geeks who go on and on about how they only listen to classical music and all popular music is rubbish. That tends to creat a bias.
I think it also might be because it often takes some education to enjoy classical music. I always thought classical music was boring and just something my father forced me to listen to (contributing to the idea that classical music is “educational” and , therefore, something to be endured.). But then I took band in school, piano lessons and started to play classical pieces. My enrichment teacher also did a whole unit on classical music forms.
Many people just don’t have the interest or opportunity to learn to appreciate classical.
Classical music gets a bad rap for a variety of reasons – it requires an extended attention span as pieces are rarely short, sung works are often in foreign languages, familiarity with styles and genres is often needed to fully appreciate the music, and yes, its association with the intelligentsia means that it runs into the same problem as everything else associated with smart people (Shakespeare, science, math, that sort of thing), in that it’s easier for many people to denigrate those who appreciate such things than to make the effort to appreciate them themselves.
Which is a shame, really, because there is a heck of a lot to classical music besides what shows up in ads and movie soundtracks, even discounting the Nigel Kennedys and Vanessa Maes of the world.
I’ve honestly never noticed a bias from the general public- well, that is to say, they might not listen to the music themselves but they don’t give me a hard time about it either (on the contrary, most be people seem to think it’s neat when they find out I’m into the “classical” scene)
There is maybe a very minor bias against “classical” music in the modern music scene though (but, for the most part it’s all in good fun, at least I think so). I was a composition major in college- and there was always alot of ribbing on the classical guys for being too conservative and whatnot.
I remember one time being “confronted” by someone who thought classical music was dull and my response was “Some of it can really get you riled up.” :rolleyes:
I guess I proved his point.
Really, I do think it has to do with the fact that it’s unfamiliar (and a little intimidating?) to many people and probably does take some education to fully appreciate it. And I agree that it may threaten people in that it might seem exclusive.
But Oh, to be able to appreciate Gil Shaham’s gorgeous, lush playing, or understand the sublties while listening to Brahams being played by the CSO on the (mostly) quiet lawn at Ravinia…sublime!!! I think that’s a matter of exposure, not necessarily laborious education.
I hate any implication that ‘education’ is needed to appreciate classical music. It’s not. But (as has been mentioned) a decent attention span is essential, and the build-up of familiarity breeds further appreciation.
I don’t think it’s so much that one needs eduaction to enjoy it or appreciate it.
But that people who are uneducated or unfamiliar with classical music tend to think of it as dull, boring, slow, etc. They aren’t aware that classical music varies from piece to piece, and is actually very diverse.
Another thing you’ll get is people who describe it as “relaxing.” THAT annoys me.
I don’t consider myself to be a classical fan but I do have eclectic taste. I get funny looks from my passengers when my car radio is on a classical or jazz station and the first time TheLadyLion came hom when I was watching Guys and Dolls she though I had lost it. “WTF is wrong with those people? They don’t speak with contractions.”
I think part of it is that Joe and Jane Blow can’t identify classical music with a personality as they can with most pop music. Even if you hate her music you probably know who Brittany Spears is. “Wolfgang Motzart? When was he on the Micky Mouse club?” I think that one element of defining what pop music is how much the personality of the artists overshadows the music itself. My cousin may not have even seen Amadeus let alone be able to identify a Mozart piece but he sure knows WTF Merle Haggard is. Jazz like Take Five is a little more accessable but the 5/4 beat isn’t made for dancing.
