Is classical music still relevant today?

Burning Down · 08-18-2013, 08:07 PM

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.

**Janszoon** · 08-18-2013, 08:15 PM

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.

CoolBec · 08-18-2013, 08:23 PM

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.

Black Francis · 08-18-2013, 09:11 PM

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

DriveYourCarDownToTheSea · 08-19-2013, 12:31 AM

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.

Paul Smeenus · 08-19-2013, 12:44 AM

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

djchameleon · 08-19-2013, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Smeenus

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.

duga · 08-19-2013, 08:25 AM

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.

Paul Smeenus · 08-19-2013, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djchameleon

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.

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.

Trollheart · 08-19-2013, 02:19 PM

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.

View Poll Results: Is classical music still relevant today?
YES	193	93.69%
NO	13	6.31%
Voters: 206. You may not vote on this poll

08-18-2013, 08:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
Burning Down The Music Guru. Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Beyond the Wall Posts: 4,858	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.

08-18-2013, 08:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
Janszoon Mate, Spawn & Die Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Rapping Community Posts: 24,593	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. __________________ A Night in the Life of the Invisible Man Time & Place 25 Albums You Should Hear Before the Moon Crashes into the Earth and We All Die last.fm

08-18-2013, 08:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
CoolBec Psycho Hosebeast Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Southeast U.S. Posts: 122	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. __________________ *Bec's Poetry Corner* http://www.musicbanter.com/song-writ...ry-corner.html

08-18-2013, 09:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
Black Francis Out of Place Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: in an abstract house Posts: 4,111	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 __________________ "Hey Kids you got to meet the MIGHTY PIXIES!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbRbCtIgW3A

08-19-2013, 12:31 AM	#5 (permalink)
DriveYourCarDownToTheSea AllTheWhileYouChargeAFee Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Kansas City Posts: 1,174	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. __________________ Stop and find a pretty shell for her Beach Boys vs Beatles comparisons begin here

08-19-2013, 08:25 AM	#8 (permalink)
duga MB quadrant's JM Vincent Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 3,762	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. __________________ Confusion will be my epitaph...

08-19-2013, 02:19 PM	#10 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,992	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. __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018