Within the busy music scene with chart topping pop songs, electrifying rock and dynamic hip-hop, classical music remains untouched and unappreciated by our generation. Despite its numerous contributions to music history and strong influence on the development of contemporary genres, contemporary music remains the favorite in our mainstream culture. However, classical music offers a more immersive and emotional experience. So why do we overlook it when it has so much to offer?
Classical music has beauty beyond the surface level. While modern genres provide listeners with catchy beats and short-lived thrills, classical music requires a value often lost in our fast-paced society: patience. A listener must pay attention to the intentional choices in the music—key changes, dynamics, tempo, and more— to fully grasp the composer’s artistic vision. In a world where we now value instant gratification, reintroducing classical music could be very beneficial, helping listeners slow down and be more thoughtful. Overall, taking the time to dive into the intricacies of this genre can be very rewarding.
With numerous benefits, classical music calms the mind emotionally. Classical music is an art fueled by empathy. From Gabriel Faure’s joyous Mandoline to Henry Purcell’s mournful Dido’s Lament, this genre encompasses love, sadness, anger, frustration, and more. Exploring one’s emotions through music can help with processing and learning more about one’s self.
Incorporating classical music into mainstream media could be one way to make classical music more accessible to a modern day audience. Some recent films and shows, like Amadeus and The Queen’s Gambit, have brought classical music into modern storytelling. Covering modern pop songs with orchestras, shows like Bridgerton have taken modern pop songs and reinvented them in a more classical style. Although the music in these shows aren’t truly classical, they still bring the simplicity and beauty of classical music to the modern day listener’s ear, beginning to bridge the gap between generations.
Ultimately, it is time to open the door to the past, and unleash the beauty of classical music into the 21st century music scene. As music lovers move on to new and exciting genres of music, we risk losing the core foundation genre of musicianship. The future of classical music depends on the willingness of listeners to step out of their comfort zone and classical music has survived centuries. Now it is time for new audiences to open their minds and ears to allow the timeless beauty of this music to live on forever.