Classical music seems to be becoming less popular. (freepik)
Music has been around since the beginning of mankind. Classical music, however, has been around since about 5 century CE. Over a thousand years of musical storytelling, but now, it’s dying.
When thinking about classical music, most people think of music for studying or use it in hopes that their children will turn out geniuses. I know my mother tried. But classical music has always been much deeper than that, and it has a special essence that is constantly torn down in these times.
It has been so stereotyped that classical music is this super soft and calming music that is easy to study, but as someone who grew up and was constantly shown classical music, I can safely say it differs drastically. Just search up “Presto” from “Moonlight Sonata” by Beethoven, “Firebird Suite” by Stravinsky, or “Mars” from “The Planets Suite” by Holst, just to name a few.
Classical music is typically broken down into seven main time periods: Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Modernist, and Postmodernist. It is very unfortunate that some people are unaware of these periods because I am more than confident people can find something to enjoy within them.
But the real question is: why is classical music dying?
It’s not a direct answer, but there are a few reasons why.
Ray Coyte from the Royal Society of Arts says “Classical music is becoming a niche activity not helped by the fact that fewer and fewer state school pupils are being encouraged to learn to play orchestral instruments.”
The expansion of classical music teaching has decreased throughout the time periods, leading to it going from a phenomenon to a minority issue.
Electrical music has experienced growth that has surpassed classical music in many ways. Electronic music started its rise in the mid-20th century with many different styles and genres with the popular being hip-hop, alternative, rock, indie rock, rap, metal, and more.
A key factor that contributed to the growth of electronic music is its accessibility to make and listen to. Rising musicians can create their music online using digital software to create the sound of music that they are looking for without spending money on real instruments. While with classical music you generally need the real instruments to get the authentic sound that you are looking for.
Alongside that, finding a specific version that you enjoy can also be a tough challenge, as most are available through Youtube, instead of other music-streaming applications like Spotify or Apple Music.
I enjoy the sound of classical music, especially when hearing it live but those shows are typically harder to find compared to electronic music. The places that tend to have live classical music are usually considered to be the “higher places” like Carnegie Hall or even the Opera House which tend to be an expensive, high-class place. But when it comes to electronic music you will usually hear it at raves, parties, or general arenas for more affordable prices
While classical music continues to be cherished for its historical significance and artistic value, electronic music’s ability to evolve and adapt to contemporary trends has enabled it to capture the imagination of a new generation of listeners, leading to the generational dissociation to classical music.