Classical Music is Dying | anon. | TEDxFoggyBottom

[@thegunslinger9707]

"Is classical music dying?" -9,600 views in 5 years when channel has 33 mil subscribers

[@driveramd12]

I remember watching cartoons and how Bugs Bunny directed an orchestra, the beautiful music that the union of all the notes from different instrument rose to unite and form a harmony. His face of pleasure, satisfaction as he waved his hands to the classical horde of musicians playing in unison. I can insist that people love Bach and the great composers, but better, I can show my passion when I play my Cello and let others listen and be inspired Insist not that you are loved by numb minds, but exhort them to rise to whom you are. Do not lower yourself to others values, let them climb to yours.

[@thethikboy]

That classical is for old people is a cliché - I know a number of young people who not only love classical but perform it. The ageism of the culture is showing up in this idea.

[@CknSalad]

the problem is the fact that a lot of the programs are 'safe' and just replay the usual same old classics recognizable by that crowd.

[@beback_]

Classical music is not easy. Not as repetitive and obviously structured. Takes a bit of effort to listen to. Even as a fan, 90% of my listening time is to simpler stuff and that okay.

[@alex9920ro]

please, you dont need to be a genius to enjoy classical music. You dont need to have a Harvard degree to understand Johann Strauss or Mozart in my opinion. The problem with today's society is the fact that our brain got lazier and lazier, in the last 50 years people got used to simpler and simpler tunes. Youngsters listen to music only to party and to shake their asses to it.

[@andreasvandieaarde]

Actually, you're quite wrong about classical. Take a look at the most iconic classical-era composers such as Haydn and Mozart and you find their pieces follow practically EXACTLY the same structure. It's honestly ridiculous.

[@alex9920ro]

The death of classical music would be a tragedy for humanity...without art, humans would either slowly reverse evolve back into cavemen, either would become mindless and soulless robots. Classical music is a great art, beautiful music that lifts the soul, that moves you and transports you to heaven. For today's youth only dancing in the club is important?

[@EricBrownBey]

Truer words have never been spoken.

[@andreasvandieaarde]

I think you have a naive stance on music, though I agree that classical music dying would be a shame. That's not because it's classical, though. It's because any form of music dying is sad to me.

[@acdausman1]

Lovely! I had a chance to see them perform this live - leaves quite an impression.

[@nicoletj4226]

Anna! Glad that you were able to be there in person - we thoroughly enjoyed our DC trip as well, and absolutely blown away by all your enthusiasm. So thank you :)

[@bb1111116]

Popular music is big business. The major pop stars are millionaires who are funded by other millionaires who are backed by huge companies. So, I don't agree with the argument that classical music concerts are bad because rich people fund them. Any big concert costs lots of $ to produce. Another argument; classical musicians playing popular music in their concerts, (such as from film scores), I'm fine with that as long as the music is decent.

[@andreasvandieaarde]

How do you define decent music?

[@whittneyh]

I'm 23 and I listen to classical music. There's hope for young people still

[@ligetisspaghetti5763]

im 15

[@ligetisspaghetti5763]

But still, I think Classical Music is on its way to die or be very reduced if it continues on this trajectory.

[@SKIPPYBABBIDY]

Sometimes I just want to give up on my dreams...

[@ssilverblade4524]

Antoine I know it’s really upsetting when people say your true passion is dying, same over here.

[@kroert2259]

Orchestras can only pay with what little money they get. Big orchestras that are able to pay a livable wage to their musicians have enormous support from, first and foremost, an audience as well as major endowments, funding, donations, etc. Creating more orchestras and venues will not solve this problem. There simply are not enough people interested in classical music anymore. It’s so saddening to see this happening. If people would just give classical music a chance, then they would realize how amazingly beautiful and fascinating it can be. I personally think that today’s modern “music”-can we even call it that?-that most of the younger generations are listening to (in particular, rap) has done great harm to the classical music industry. It’s drawing away an entire audience from classical music. This “music” that these people choose to listen to makes classical music seem boring in their eyes. I’m not so sure there is hope left in this fight. Orchestras are diminishing now more than ever, and without the support of a growing audience, orchestras, especially smaller ones, will cease to have an audience altogether.

[@Dan474834]

Classical music has a greater audience now than at any time in history. It’s far from dead. Is it elitist? Of course it is, but then again so is all high-art. In any European opera house, you’ll never see an empty seat, even though 99% of people in the world have never heard and will never hear opera.

[@andreasvandieaarde]

Classical music isn't high-art. Get that obnoxious snobbery away.

[@Dan474834]

@@andreasvandieaarde Of course it is, by definition.

[@andreasvandieaarde]

@@Dan474834 What's your definition of high art? More importantly, do you think it deserves to be treated in such an elitist way?

[@JP-my7hs]

Needs way more views tf

[@CorvetteCoonass]

Classical music is alive and well, just not in the traditional sense. Wind bands are now the primary ensembles for performing symphonic music. More composers write for wind bands than orchestras because more band programs exist than orchestra programs. I think the biggest issues are that less and less bowed string players are coming up and that not enough orchestras aren't adopting modern composition approach.

[@CknSalad]

yeah honestly, I prefer chamber music a lot more, but maybe that's because I played in orchestra from fifth grade through high school and found the orchestral works to be somewhat 'repetitive' structurally. In chamber music, I liked how everybody had a say in the piece and collaborated.

[@lordspongebobofhousesquare1616]

@@CknSalad listen to more modern composers like debussy, their orchestral works are less repetitive. (My favorite is Images pour orchestre)

[@mylesjordan9970]

This music, however and at whatever level it’s appealing to a cross-section of the public, is a cross between Astor Piazzolla’s tango nuevo and themes by Pink Floyd; to call it “classical” is a clear misnomer. The idea of calling it classical seeks to make classically-influenced or -trained music into commercially-viable entertainment, bottom line. Although it’s certainly understandable-nobody wants to starve!-actual “art music” typically engages audiences in a very different way. Something, often something uncomfortable, is demanded from the listener. This music, as inoffensive as possible, feeds the listener passively. The difference between it and even the late works of Beethoven, for example, is a whole universe apart. I have no problem with it, but to call it “classical music” is like calling Oscar Peterson’s “funk.”

[@fuanasantuary1277]

Modernized chinese classical orcherstra is westernized and influenced by western orcherstra in its structure and i find that form just as very boring. Listen to gagaku instead which is oldest surviving music ensemble.

[@johnferguson4089]

You are all very talented and obviously doing your level best but I just can't relate to the piece you played. Yes, there were some interesting rhythms but where is the melody? What's the point of the music you just played? I'm not left with a beautiful melody ringing in my head which I might be able to recall. I realise that it costs money to put on say, a symphony orchestra in a public venue but the costs for most of the public of going to one of these events, let alone a whole series, is very cost prohibitive. I'm not knocking them and I would love to attend some of them myself, but many people just cannot afford such costs. I can afford to put a KZbin video on and listen to a live performance of whatever I would like to hear and that has to satisfy my needs for the main part. And yes, I do applaud the work along with the recorded audience.

[@lordspongebobofhousesquare1616]

It's called thematic development. Very popular in classical music but rarely exists in modern music. Unfortunately, this technique of composing will not create a catchy tune, so modern ears might get bored halfway through

[@goochystankmama1950]

Are you deaf, there were tons of melodic passages. It may have been a broad legato melody, but there was plenty of melody

[@v0id_d3m0n]

What a beautiful piece of music

[@RochestersGotTalentbyPaulRefic]

good stuff but where have all the nic deep basses gone,,people have taken them away the bass is the foundation of a music piece

[@lordspongebobofhousesquare1616]

chamber music usually don't use basses

[@EuropesNinja]

I love all types of music. Classical music is the basics of all music in reality. But I believe with technology we are coming past the point where we need instruments. Since music can be made from every sound heard by man. I believe though these 2 should work in conjunction. I feel as if classical music could come past the point it's at with only using instruments, and bring in other sounds which could create even more layers, it could become more popular again. I suppose you could call it modern music. The infusion of all music genres into one, without the limitation of instruments. I believe it's already happening.

[@gspaulsson]

modernist composers have explored every kind of sound-making: check out Edgar Varese, John Cage and Karlheinz Stockhausen, for example. Personally, I don't much like gimmicky music: after the novelty wears off, there usually isn't much left. ,

[@garneroutlaw1]

You're exactly right. The younger people who would have had an interest in classical music are now digging deep into the discography of My Bloody Valentine, Cocteau Twins, and Slowdive.

[@DreamlessSleepwalker]

No, classical music isn't the "basics of music..." You realize that Beethoven is more complicated than taylor swift right? Whether or not you are using instruments really doesn't change how music works. Music theory is what music is, and classical music is by no means basic in that regard.

[@andreasvandieaarde]

Western classical music only really formed in the 16th century. Music has been around for way longer than that. It's certainly not the basics of all music. Look at other places around the world at that time, or even now, and you'll find people's very definitions of music are completely different. You're right about music being able to be made by any sound heard by man, though

[@garneroutlaw1]

Lots of good comments. But no one mentions the funding side of it. I don't mind the snobs, the ridiculous social code, or the fact that my wife and me (28 & 29 respectively) are the only couple under 50 there. What did it in for me is the donor lists. A quick google search can take you down a long and deep rabbit hole. I'm not going to mention names (except Rothschild), but many of the country's top symphony orchestras are funded by estates and descendants of people you have heard of (insert 4-5 robber baron here). Modern day classical music is supported by a bunch of wankers which is unfortunate, because classical music is so utterly beautiful. In its current capacity, there is no room to evolve the genre and for musicians (with no creative freedom) it must become extremely boring play Sonata #2 a million times or the friggin' nutcracker suite. For what it's worth, I hope classical music in its current form dies. I'm just fine with a good vinyl record or two. I'll never support a symphony orchestra again by attending.

[@CknSalad]

This exactly....programs just feel too recycled a good portion of the time. There are so many composers and works not explored. I remember one time there was a really nice SF Symphony program where a really educated classical music educator literally went over the main sections of the piece and giving funny tidbits and backstories of it. There needs to be more of this to draw in 'casual' listeners to possibly go even deeper than known pieces like Beethoven's 5th.

[@solukhumbu911]

like imagine if this asian girl and boy was born and raised in any town in their native country , they would never have the platform to speak about anything , regardless of their talent

[@scharnhorstkaisarbeethoven]

Its not

[@karamelapple8007]

Classical music sucks and is boring

[@francishoo5340]

Musicians didn't care about us, they didn't try to educate or invite us to listen to their music, cuz they've earned enough money from aristocracies. And now they realized their audiences are dying, they began to come out and tell us to listen to them, sorry we know nothing about classical music, it's too elegant. You can close the door and play for yourselves. And stay in your extravagant concert hall, we don't want to hurt your fragile egos.

[@spencerbyrd2545]

Nobody has ever said anything like that.

[@GangstaViolin]

Sorry for what musicians did 200 years ago. By the way, maybe your grand grand grand grand father was one of them, one of these horrible soulless musicians who played for aristocracy only because they got better money. How dare they look for a good job!!!

[@macondense]

Very interesting point of view. Very enlightening for a classical musician such as myself. Thanks.

[@maxwatkins5166]

utter foolishness

[@LanaDelTaco1372]

Wow, how condescending of you. Thank you.

[@kaimueric9390]

Unfortunately you can't appreciate classical music if you are not musically enlightened. And by that I mean having formal education about music. I'll not be surprised if I end up getting bashed on due to this comment as there are not many of such (enlightened) people out there.

[@beback_]

I don't think you need to be a trained musician to appreciate classical music.

[@chickenblade6537]

@@beback_ not really but u can't directly appreciate it without taking the time to listen to study and to feel it. I know cause i used to hate Mephisto Waltz no. 1 but right now its probably in my top favoritez

[@CknSalad]

There was one SF Symphony concert where they did have somebody actually educate the audience all the main nuances and history of certain sections of the piece and what to look out for. Even as a violinist, I found the piece to be far more engaging as I could actually focus and appreciate even more on the certain sections that were pointed out. I think classical music is evolving more where chamber music and 'modern' take groups are forming to draw in the younger crowd. The big problem unfortunately is that classical music orchestras especially seem to want to draw in the 'older' crowd. I remember attending a NY Phil concert with my sister and being so pumped only to be disappointed that pretty much none of the musicians were the 'starting' core musicians that night. Everybody just seemed tired and went through the motions; even the pianist seemed really out of it and just played through the tough passages hoping to be done already. This concert wasn't really any 'cheaper' than the the 'premium' class concerts. In conclusion, classical music orchestras need to focus on the younger crowd, especially the 18-40 years old crowd that has money and is willing to spend it on great 'experiences' that they feel they will never forget.

[@chickenblade6537]

@Meine Meinung du Falafel i like how you interpreted "study" in such a different way than I did. Basing ur argument over an ambiguous term. By "study" i meant reflect btw. Oh and im amazed by the inductions you've made from that one word (deeming me an elitist from basically nothing xD)

[@chickenblade6537]

@Meine Meinung du Falafel the way i feel a piece of music is different from yours(not in abstract terms such as sadness or happiness but in ways that are purely from one's subjective past) and to reflect upon a piece is to weld it with your soul. Only then can a piece of music leave you heart-stricken.