Classical music should be appreciated more
Last week, the first weekend of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival was held in in Indio, Calif. The USC campus and its surrounding areas seemed vacant over these past few days, most likely due to the significant chunk of the student population inhabiting the Coachella Valley for the festival. As a result, I reflected on the influence that music has had on my life. Furthermore, I contemplated how my own musical tastes, which seem to differ from most people my age, factor into our society as a whole.
To begin, I am an avid fan of classical music. Although my overall music taste spans across a broad range, I listen mostly to classical music, particularly opera. Many of my colleagues find this peculiar; in fact, I am often asked how my interest in this archaic genre came to dominate my psyche. I am unsure of when exactly it began, though I know it was sometime during early childhood: My mother, a classical pianist, used to play symphonic recordings, such as Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, as I would drift to sleep. In addition, she enrolled me in piano lessons and my elementary school’s choir, while also encouraging me to participate in any sort of performance activities that captivated me. Granted, I am aware that many children were placed in similar situations, yet for most, no adoration for classical music was fostered. Therefore, I ask this question: Why isn’t classical music appreciated as much as pop music?
There are many misconceptions about classical music. For starters, I have encountered a fair amount of students who believe that orchestral and operatic performances are infrequent and inaccessible, which is definitely false — in addition to the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Los Angeles Opera, both of which offer student tickets at a discounted price, there are on-campus performances organized by the Thornton School of Music multiple times a week, all of which are free with a USC ID. Indeed, the declining number in attendance isn’t a result of poor advertising, but rather a lack of interest imbued within younger generations. Somewhere between baby boomers and millennials, classical music fell into obscurity. It is a chilling thought that even at some of the most celebrated and respected opera houses today, bankruptcy looms as each day progresses. And in a society that prefers Bieber to Boulez, it is exceedingly difficult to remain optimistic regarding the future of this craft.
Nonetheless, I am not a complete square with regard to more popular genres; I do listen to a fair amount of non-classical music. I’ve even been to a few music festivals, the last one being FYF Fest in 2015. There, I was excited to not only see some of my favorite artists, such as Belle & Sebastian and Solange, but also to broaden my pop-music horizons. Admittedly, I didn’t encounter any bands that struck my fancy, other than the groups that I had already known and cherished. However, I gave it a fair shot, and the experience allowed me to explore different artists that I most likely would never have come across had I not spent more than$200 for a ticket, only to stand in the sweltering heat for 10 hours waiting for a performance that I may or may not like. I don’t consider myself straight-laced, but I would much rather be surrounded by a 100-piece orchestra than a thousand screaming fans.
With all that being said, I understand that classical music is an acquired taste — I can’t expect others to fawn over Debussy’s opulent chromaticism if I am just as obtuse in recognizing my friends’ adoration for Drake. Though it was my mother who introduced me to this genre so many years ago, it was my own interest that propelled my ardor for this genre. However, the future of this art form is dependent upon Generations Y and Z. Maintaining a colloquial appreciation for classical music will help keep it alive, and could prevent the encroaching closures of many classical music companies across the country. When all the cards are laid out, it is your interest that can save our future.
Arya Roshanian is a senior majoring in music. He is also a lifestyle editor at the Daily Trojan. His column, “From the Top,” runs on Tuesdays.
Arya – I came across your article “Classical Music Should Be Appreciated More” and felt the need, as a fellow USC alumni and classical music lover, to comment.
My love of classical music did not start in childhood, but grew from my interest in popular music. I was a rock & roller from its beginning. I still remember being excited upon first hearing Elvis’ “Hound Dog” when it premiered on L.A. radio in ’57. I was seven. Not long after, I started guitar lessons. Fast forward a decade to the summer of 1967, when I went to Monterey Pop to see Hendrix, the Who and countless other rock greats. And I had the good luck at that time to be in the pop charts myself: I was the singer of a #1 gold record, “Incense and Peppermints” by a one-hit-wonder band the Strawberry Alarm Clock. What a great summer that was!
But by the early 70s, as my visions of becoming rock legend faded I realized I had better go to college. Plus, my passion for music pressed me to “listen wider” – rock was getting dull I felt. So I started at Pasadena City College and had the great fortune to take a two-semester course in music history taught by an inspiring teacher (Mr. Heckman, for the record). And the world of Josquin, Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, Wagner and so many others unfolded in one exciting class after the other. I transferred to to USC as a music major (history and composition), and then grad school in musicology as the University of Chicago. I then took another life-turn, and got into advertising which is what did for my career. I just sold my agency and, at 67, am heading to retirement.
But my passion for music generally and classical music in particular has not waned at all. I still play in a rock band — but listen to classical music almost exclusively. (I’m anxiously awaiting the opening of the Ring Cycle next month here in DC). And as I’ve gotten more time, I’ve started teaching — so far, a history of classical music and a course in Beethoven.
And I share very much your concern over the flagging interest in classical music. What a world of riches there are to be discovered so easily – but are simply overlooked! But as my own experience tells me, you don’t have to choose. (I loved being surround by 1,000 screaming fans when I saw the Beatles at Dodger Stadium…almost as much as seeing the Mahler Symphony of 1,000 a few months ago.) But you do have to adjust. Classical music seduces you, but to “get it” you have to listen with focused concentration, and follow the “conversation.” Pop music attacks you. (There’s a reason most successful pop records have what’s called a “hook.”) Its the difference between fine wine and Coke. Each has its place.
Your concerns about the demise of classical music I am afraid are commensurate with an increased in ability to sustain focused attention on anything – from politics to poetry to person relationships. (How many young couples do I see in restaurants staring at their cell phones instead of each other?!?!) Yes, I sound like the old analogue fart that I am – but classical music simply does not work as a multi-task. It requires linear, singular, uninterrupted attention. Without that, yes, it is boring. So I’m not too hopeful. But articles like yours do cheer me up a bit. My days at USC very enjoyable and nice to see there are bright young people out there still trying to push the boulder the damned hill. Good work!
Greg Munford – Class of ’74 (as near as I can recall!)