Classical music - is it too sophisticated for this era?

[Corrian]

I grew up with electronica because my mom loved it so much, so for the most part the switch from modern to classical had to go through a lot of listening classical tunes.

I feel comfortable with music with a normal or upbeat tempo, or with a lot of notes to fill in the spaces. Slow tempos are, to me, a bore.

What's the point of this? I think most of our musical preferences is learned since childhood. If you grow up with slow music, it actually is soothing for you or intellectually engaging, the opposite being true of course. Doesn't really matter the era or the style of music presented, but rather, we learn how to associate certain beats to certain moods.

Honestly, I did kinda get my music taste from my dad. He likes whatever as well, and we both have a similar distaste for all the cookie cutter music. But I like slow music as much as I can like the exact opposite.

I have to ask, is there anything about your library that seems like it is a common theme across your genres?

Not really. I can go from somewhat generic sugary pop (that I for some reason like, I dunno why), to dark and somber (This whole band has a dark but depressive feel), to slow and sad, to upbeat and dancey, to weird, to complex (Can't think of a specific thing right now and don't feel like digging), to aggressive, to literal noise, to ambient, ect, ect....

Sorry, I like talking music and giving examples

[Corrian]

Oh, and did you like literal minimalist music, Cannot think of a name? Even though it gets labeled as ambient and drone, I think this album kinda counts. And I find it beautiful.

I have more literal minimalism, too.

[Pope Joan]

We found that after we got a radio with top notch sound reproduction, our appreciation of classical broadcasts increased greatly.

It also helps to have announcers who do not assume that you know everything about the genre, who are willing to fill in some interesting background for you.

I see nothing wrong with the Moonlight Sonata, btw. Music does not have to be obscure to be enjoyed. Some old favorites deserve to be favorites.

Things I learned this year: Ravel hated Bolero because the crowds wanted nothing else but to him it had been a mere diversion, simple stuff, and it embarrassed him. Shostakovich was jailed by Stalin for not making music that sounded sufficiently patriotic and socialist; his family was left penniless. But by the 1960s he had a seat on powerful committees and was well rewarded (without changing his style). Dancers hated Tchaikovski's Swan Lake; they said it was "undanceable". He was also insulted by Leopold Auer, to whome he had dedicated his Violin Concerto; Auer refused to play it, calling it "unplayable". Critics have said it might have been too technically challenging for Auer.

[The Conez Imperium]

The question carries an implied premise that's visible from space. That's why you're getting shit.

Continue arguing from your smoke and mirrors then. It just makes the whole debate more stupid.

[The Conez Imperium]

We found that after we got a radio with top notch sound reproduction, our appreciation of classical broadcasts increased greatly.

It also helps to have announcers who do not assume that you know everything about the genre, who are willing to fill in some interesting background for you.

I see nothing wrong with the Moonlight Sonata, btw. Music does not have to be obscure to be enjoyed. Some old favorites deserve to be favorites.

Things I learned this year: Ravel hated Bolero because the crowds wanted nothing else but to him it had been a mere diversion, simple stuff, and it embarrassed him. Shostakovich was jailed by Stalin for not making music that sounded sufficiently patriotic and socialist; his family was left penniless. But by the 1960s he had a seat on powerful committees and was well rewarded (without changing his style). Dancers hated Tchaikovski's Swan Lake; they said it was "undanceable". He was also insulted by Leopold Auer, to whome he had dedicated his Violin Concerto; Auer refused to play it, calling it "unplayable". Critics have said it might have been too technically challenging for Auer.

I just feel like moonlight sonata is the poster child of classical music. I get exited when people say they listen to classical music but I always find the anticipation in my eyes fades when they mention they just know the 1 famous classical music piece. Is that it I say, yes they respond. Oh...have you tried listened to others or know of any others you might like? No.

[USS Monitor]

We found that after we got a radio with top notch sound reproduction, our appreciation of classical broadcasts increased greatly.

It also helps to have announcers who do not assume that you know everything about the genre, who are willing to fill in some interesting background for you.

I see nothing wrong with the Moonlight Sonata, btw. Music does not have to be obscure to be enjoyed. Some old favorites deserve to be favorites.

Things I learned this year: Ravel hated Bolero because the crowds wanted nothing else but to him it had been a mere diversion, simple stuff, and it embarrassed him. Shostakovich was jailed by Stalin for not making music that sounded sufficiently patriotic and socialist; his family was left penniless. But by the 1960s he had a seat on powerful committees and was well rewarded (without changing his style). Dancers hated Tchaikovski's Swan Lake; they said it was "undanceable". He was also insulted by Leopold Auer, to whome he had dedicated his Violin Concerto; Auer refused to play it, calling it "unplayable". Critics have said it might have been too technically challenging for Auer.

I just feel like moonlight sonata is the poster child of classical music. I get exited when people say they listen to classical music but I always find the anticipation in my eyes fades when they mention they just know the 1 famous classical music piece. Is that it I say, yes they respond. Oh...have you tried listened to others or know of any others you might like? No.

Pretty sure there's more than one piece of classical music that non-buffs listen to. 1812 Overture and Ode to Joy come to mind as others that everybody knows. Those happen to be two pieces that I like, even though I mostly listen to post-Beatles music.

[San Marlindo]

I like easy listening in general and prefer muzak and bossa nova. But classical piano is also a big part of what I listen to.

Back when I had sort of a perpetually busy work schedule, classical music - Claude Debussy in particular - soothed my nerves and helped me undertake my projects at a reasonable pace. Loud, in your face music (which I listen to when I work out, helps give me the determination to power through reps) would have the opposite effect. It's like that hacker from White House Down who needed classical music to concentrate.

[Cannot think of a name]

I wasn't attacking, I was observing in general what I have seen.

Here's the thing...everyone thinks that.

And they're not lying. Not really. But they're also not seeing the thread in their music tastes. Genre is only a road sign but it's not the map. This is why you don't put in 'rock' or 'bluegrass' in Pandora but a sample of the shit you like. Not that an algorithm is perfect or that I'd run an algorithm, but that's the idea.

I used to do this all the time. Back in my record store days I took that collection of prog rockers and punks and goths and ravers and I had them all listening to jazz and classical works they wouldn't have considered by recognizing elements in the things they like and finding them something familiar in a genre or artist they hadn't originally considered. By the time record stores stopped being a thing (well, ours) they were all fans. Which unfortunately meant I started having to fight for promos, but that's a different story.

I do listen to quite a lot, though. It's not even thinking it, I literally have a huge variety on my Spotify.

Then you do not need assistance. Have fun in your travels.

[Cannot think of a name]

It was only a matter of time...

Until?

Someone did a "actually it's Frankenstein's monster" pedantic wank about the term "classical" despite the fact that everyone including the person corrected knew what was being said.

[Settrah]

Baroque > Romantic > Classical.

Fight me.

[Old Tyrannia]

Baroque > Romantic > Classical.

Fight me.

Eh, much as I enjoy Vivaldi I'd have to say the Baroque era is my least favourite of the three. Romantic composers are the best; Classical comes second.

[Ifreann]

[b]In today fast society, it is too difficult to enjoy classical music.

No. Why would that be the case?

[Bogdanov Vishniac]

We found that after we got a radio with top notch sound reproduction, our appreciation of classical broadcasts increased greatly.

It also helps to have announcers who do not assume that you know everything about the genre, who are willing to fill in some interesting background for you.

I see nothing wrong with the Moonlight Sonata, btw. Music does not have to be obscure to be enjoyed. Some old favorites deserve to be favorites.

Things I learned this year: Ravel hated Bolero because the crowds wanted nothing else but to him it had been a mere diversion, simple stuff, and it embarrassed him. Shostakovich was jailed by Stalin for not making music that sounded sufficiently patriotic and socialist; his family was left penniless. But by the 1960s he had a seat on powerful committees and was well rewarded (without changing his style). Dancers hated Tchaikovski's Swan Lake; they said it was "undanceable". He was also insulted by Leopold Auer, to whome he had dedicated his Violin Concerto; Auer refused to play it, calling it "unplayable". Critics have said it might have been too technically challenging for Auer.

I just feel like moonlight sonata is the poster child of classical music. I get exited when people say they listen to classical music but I always find the anticipation in my eyes fades when they mention they just know the 1 famous classical music piece. Is that it I say, yes they respond. Oh...have you tried listened to others or know of any others you might like? No.

... So instead of saying "Ooh, well if you like Moonlight Sonata I've got a bunch of works by Chopin here you might like..." your first response is "Well you don't know anything about classical music, so I'm not really that interested in talking to you anymore"?

I have to question your motives. IMO, if you honestly loved classical music I would have hoped you'd take a little more pleasure in introducing people to it.

[Len Hyet]

I just feel like moonlight sonata is the poster child of classical music. I get exited when people say they listen to classical music but I always find the anticipation in my eyes fades when they mention they just know the 1 famous classical music piece. Is that it I say, yes they respond. Oh...have you tried listened to others or know of any others you might like? No.

... So instead of saying "Ooh, well if you like Moonlight Sonata I've got a bunch of works by Chopin here you might like..." your first response is "Well you don't know anything about classical music, so I'm not really that interested in talking to you anymore"?

I have to question your motives. IMO, if you honestly loved classical music I would have hoped you'd take a little more pleasure in introducing people to it.

Regentropfen is my favorite Chopin piece

[Cill Airne]

Until?

Someone did a "actually it's Frankenstein's monster" pedantic wank about the term "classical" despite the fact that everyone including the person corrected knew what was being said.

I was just sharing a random fact that not a lot of people know. Ignorance is not bliss, even if everyone knows the intended meaning. I've no clue why you're reacting so hostile to a random, yet relevant, piece of information was shared.

[United Earthlings]

Listen to it quite regularly, even attending my local area orchestra when they play certain pieces I love or would/find interesting.

Why I listen to classical music is probably the same reason anyone listens to any type of music.

Small nitpick correction, classical music doesn't come in songs, but movements. And generally those individual movements form a single concerto composed of usually three to four movements.

Why you don't generally have said option why attending an orchestra live, you don't have to listen to all the movements in a concerto, just the ones you enjoy the most and seeing as most movements are generally within the 2 to 4 minute mark, the same time length as most 20th/21st century pop songs, complaining about their length is kind of pointless.

That's like me complaining about the 8:33 it takes to listen to American Pie by Don McLean and that because of said length no was able to simply enjoy it back when it was first released or today.

Furthermore, there is actually a thing called classical pop music that is quite catchy, fast-paced and upbeat. Most people have probably heard the movement pieces and thought nothing of it. Ex. Flight of the Bumblebee, Orpheus in the Underworld {AKA incorrectly Can-Can}, The Sorcerer's Apprentice.

Everyone has different music tastes, simply put if you enjoy classical music, you’re not going to have any difficultly enjoying said music for any length of time as long as during that time you continue to receive gratification from listening to said music.

[Anollasia]

Classical music is great. I particularly enjoy the Romantic and Impressionist periods, especially piano pieces (symphonies can be great too though).

However, I have to be in a certain mood to enjoy it (typically at night or while studying).

[The Grande Republic 0f Arcadia]

Of course not. I love listening to classical music because it has a wealth of great music to draw from. It's often creative and extremely moving. To pretend that it's "too sophisticated" for today is absurd. Tell me, is the theme to Star Wars too sophisticated?

I like the music in star wars. It fits perfectly with the adventure, hero narrative saving the galaxy.

I think that your comment illuminates another side to why classical music is not enjoyed in todays society. Because it lacks context. I think everyone loves star wars main theme, or the theme of darth vader as they can associate it to the feelings they see in the star wars movie.

But in classical music? It's a shame that they don't teach context. On the other hand, why can people listen to starships which probably has no meaning other than it was intended to be a fun song but can't listen to an equivalent fun and meaningless song in classical music?

Halo had a good soundtrack too. Halo's soundtrack produced a mood of depression at times, hope, and humanity on the brink of extinction, coupled with humanity taking back its worlds. My favorite halo song is :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcdTWjtAb_k

[Valkalan]

The question I pose to you is that, do you listen to classical music? Not a once in a while listen to Moonlight sonata but a serious attempt?

If so, why did you listen to classical music?
...
So, is classical music simply too difficult to be widely enjoyed and listened to by today society?

Also as a third question. What is your honest perception towards classical music and the people who listen to it? As someone who loves classical music I am interested to hear what people who have non-classical music backgrounds say.
...

I listen to classical music all the time. I have liked it since I first saw the original Fantasia when I was about 5. Stravinsky and Mussorgsky, whose work is featured in the film, continue to be some of my favorites. (I don't like their politics, but I must concede that Russia's composers are simply the best!)

Per your second question, it is my theory that due to the increased disposable income and free time available to the general public, individuals who normally would not consume music are now in a position to consume music in vast quantities. This results in the great variety of music that you hear today, of which classical music is now a minority.

I like to think that folks who like classical music have good taste, but I don't generally judge people according to their taste in music.

[Hladgos]

Fadoras, too classical for SWAGmasters

[USS Monitor]

The question I pose to you is that, do you listen to classical music? Not a once in a while listen to Moonlight sonata but a serious attempt?

If so, why did you listen to classical music?
...
So, is classical music simply too difficult to be widely enjoyed and listened to by today society?

Also as a third question. What is your honest perception towards classical music and the people who listen to it? As someone who loves classical music I am interested to hear what people who have non-classical music backgrounds say.
...

I listen to classical music all the time. I have liked it since I first saw the original Fantasia when I was about 5. Stravinsky and Mussorgsky, whose work is featured in the film, continue to be some of my favorites. (I don't like their politics, but I must concede that Russia's composers are simply the best!)

Per your second question, it is my theory that due to the increased disposable income and free time available to the general public, individuals who normally would not consume music are now in a position to consume music in vast quantities. This results in the great variety of music that you hear today, of which classical music is now a minority.

I like to think that folks who like classical music have good taste, but I don't generally judge people according to their taste in music.

The original Fantasia is really good.

[Senkaku]

So, is classical music simply too difficult to be widely enjoyed and listened to by today society?

No, and you may wish to note that it rather smacks of smug elitism to suggest that your preferred genre of music is just too complex for the masses today to enjoy.

Pretty much this.

[Implacable Death]

Yes. Yes it is. People are being dumbed down these days. I guarantee you, in a hundred years, nobody will sit down on a comfortable seat by the fireplace and listen to Lil Jon while drinking some fine wine. I know classical music is associated with snobbery, but it's warranted snobbery. The intricacy of operas or requiems simply cannot be compared to rap, no matter how often former classmates of mine make local news by saying rap is on the same level as the old masters like Händel and Mozart.

[LolitaFrill]

Yes. Yes it is. People are being dumbed down these days. I guarantee you, in a hundred years, nobody will sit down on a comfortable seat by the fireplace and listen to Lil Jon while drinking some fine wine. I know classical music is associated with snobbery, but it's warranted snobbery. The intricacy of operas or requiems simply cannot be compared to rap, no matter how often former classmates of mine make local news by saying rap is on the same level as the old masters like Händel and Mozart.

Dunno if this is parody or not but by god the idea of sitting down near a fireplace chugging wine while listening to Lil Jon sounds absolutely incredible and I'm definitely planning on doing that this Christmas Eve. I don't even like rap and that's an astoundingly beautiful concept.

Honestly, though, I think the snobbery surrounding classical music, while occasionally overstated but still extant, is one of the reasons people don't appreciate it very much. When so many people act so high-and-mighty because they enjoy one particular genre of music I could understand not having much interest in getting involved with it. Hell, classical and orchestral genres are my favorite sort of music and I still wouldn't want to associate with a lot of the community surrounding it. The music is certainly more complex than rap and many other modern genres, for the most part, but that doesn't make it better. Sometimes you're just in the mood for simplicity or something different.

I can't always prepare or consume an incredibly elaborate, four-course meal. It's not realistic. It doesn't make me lazy or simple-minded. It may just mean that I'm not that interested in cooking or simply don't have the time to make it right now. I generally can't eat a gourmet feast on the way to work unless I'm the best driver on the planet. Not everybody is super interested in music, and not everybody has the time to listen to all of Chopin's Nocturnes while driving to work. Likewise, plenty of people didn't have the money or interest required to listen to that sort of music in its prime. I think it's pretty nice that there's more music that a wider audience can enjoy now, even if it's not my favorite type of music. I think plenty of these people would enjoy classical music, too, if we were a little less exclusionary and tried to change the image from this ultra esoteric genre to something most people could enjoy if they had the time, which I do think is true so long as they can go in with an open mind!

[Wallenburg]

Yes. Yes it is. People are being dumbed down these days. I guarantee you, in a hundred years, nobody will sit down on a comfortable seat by the fireplace and listen to Lil Jon while drinking some fine wine. I know classical music is associated with snobbery, but it's warranted snobbery. The intricacy of operas or requiems simply cannot be compared to rap, no matter how often former classmates of mine make local news by saying rap is on the same level as the old masters like Händel and Mozart.

Of course! That explains why people today are more educated and intelligent than ever before!