Is classical music still relevant today?
 

In comparison with today's music (pop, rock, metal, electronica, etc). Does classical music still have a place amongst today's audience, or has it been relegated to more specific listeners (i.e. music students, people learning instruments, elderly people)?

WHY or WHY NOT?

I know there are not a whole lot of people on MB who are active listeners of classical music, at least not to the extent that I am. But I know you all have opinions on everything else music related, so I'd like to hear your answer to my question.

EDIT: I have included a poll to get a more specific consensus, but I really encourage you to discuss why you voted YES or NO in this thread and why.

I think it still has a place. I mean what else are cities going to do with all those outdoor amphitheaters?

But seriously, the simple fact that there are classical radio stations is evidence that it appeals to pretty large numbers of people. Obviously it's relevant to those listening and still informs how we as a culture think about music to a certain extent.

Anything that far removed from contemporary culture always has been (and always will be) somewhat "relegated to more specific listeners". But I wouldn't agree that makes it irrelevant.

Even though it's not my thing i do think classical musical is still relevant and i think it will always be relevant

i find it a little boring but i like it as background music for like a game or a movie score in fact i prefer it over some douchy rock testosterone soundtrack i think classical expresses a more genuine feeling way more subtle but clearer but again alone it bores me to death

In a sense, classical music (and jazz and some eastern genres) will always be *the* most relevant form(s) of music, because so much ultimately derives from them.

There will always be a sizable segment of the population who enjoys classical music, even if their numbers aren't what they used to be.

People who think classical music is boring, probably haven't listened to enough classical music.

I wouldn't wanna even live in a world where Bach, Beethoven, & Brahms weren't relevant.

Tell Casper, Patrick Swayze and Slimer I said what's up.

Classical music is only relevant to enthusiasts and those that want to teach the history of music to others. It's like going into the history archives to dig up a lost art form.

When you think about it, even when classical was just "today's music" it was really only heard by the rich and influential. There were no recordings, obviously, so you either had to hire your own musicians or head to the nearest venue (which I'm assuming the common man didn't frequent back then). In fact, popular tunes amongst the everyday person were short and catchy songs passed on within their communities... Dare I say that was their version of pop music? Honestly, I don't think much has changed and classical will be around for a good long while.

I've never disagreed with anything you've said as vehemently as this, although I will say that ANY music is only relevant to enthusiasts, to that listener.

Of course classical music is, and always will be, relevant. How many ads today can you watch where some classical piece is used? How many bands (including metal bands) use or rewrite classical tunes? Diamond Head use Holst's "Mars" in the opening to "Am I evil?" and with such a powerful opening it always went down well, so that headbangers began to associate "The bringer of war" with DH and metal. Then you have William Orbit's reimagining of Barber's "Adagio for strings", to say nothing of Eric Carmen's "All by myself" being basically a rewrite of Rachmaninoff's "Piano concerto no. 2" (or is it 1?)

Remember that almost all of the music we listen to today, no matter its genre, had its basis in classical music, and who among us doesn't know at least a handful of classical tunes, even if they don't know what they're called or who they're by? Classical music will always be around, always with us and always relevant. That's why shows like "The Proms" are still so popular.