The classical and d*ting ;-)

[Ciel_Rouge]

I deliberately misspelled the word in order not to attract any automatic junk content spiders that sniff for specific words. I was wondering if we could verify the following stereotypes:

1. a classical fan is a lonely guy who rarely goes out
2. classical music attracts women and is used on romantic dinners

I am not afraid to admit that I go d*ating very rarely but it does happen And when it does, I sometimes play classical music but never as background for pouring red wine ;-) I wonder what your experience is in that matter.

[Lethevich]

Generally classical fans tend to be relatively well-adjusted (often married) - this forum is a decent exemplar of this - but it is also the case that this genre is not widely liked, meaning that the significant other is rarely as fanatical as the enthusiast in question and often won't like the music at all.

I suppose it's a case of not looking for the impossible - find somebody you like, but don't expect them to enjoy the same things.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Generally classical fans tend to be relatively well-adjusted (often married) - this forum is a decent exemplar of this -

It is?!? We're in bigger trouble than I thought 

but it is also the case that this genre is not widely liked, meaning that the significant other is rarely as fanatical as the enthusiast in question and often won't like the music at all.

In my case I am somewhat lucky, in that the significant other is not an enthusiast the way I am, but does enjoy much of the music I introduce her to, and in fact looks to me as a kind of authority. Therefore, I get to play music critic/ historian/ scholar to at least one person. 

[Lethevich]

In my case I am somewhat lucky, in that the significant other is not an enthusiast the way I am, but does enjoy much of the music I introduce her to

Same - mine has a varying interest, between mild to occasionally quite involved. I feel that this is in part to do with the "coming together" most couples must do in terms of interests, to find some kind of middle ground to share together. It works well, and the curiosity has kept up without me trying to push it too far and potentially alienate, so I'm happy with the situation.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

It works well, and the curiosity has kept up without me trying to push it too far and potentially alienate, so I'm happy with the situation.

I seem to be good at finding stuff she likes. I turned her on to Mahler a few years ago (in the best way - a live concert). We're going to Ein Heldenleben in a week, and I'm pretty sure she'll like that too.

On the other hand, if I put anything pre-Bach on the stereo, or anything too modern or weird, I get an admonition like "put on some normal music"   

[Diletante]

I don't know about romantic dinners, but I've learned never to play classical music during sex. Apparently they don't like it when you hum along.

[Bulldog]

I don't know about romantic dinners, but I've learned never to play classical music during sex. Apparently they don't like it when you hum along.

Classical music may be fine for romancing, but it sucks during sex.  I find that Indian and Arabian music is much better.

[Brahmsian]

Classical music may be fine for romancing, but it sucks during sex.  I find that Indian and Arabian music is much better.

Sade!

[CD]

Sade!

I hope you don't mean the Marquis de...

[Novi]

I don't know about romantic dinners, but I've learned never to play classical music during sex. Apparently they don't like it when you hum along.

Veni, veni, venias...

[Harpo]

A G-rated contribution

I may have already told this story, but when I was 16 I had just come back from music camp and was trying to impress my then-boyfriend with how erudite I was. I played him a record of classical music, the first selection being a movement from some symphony. He commented that it sounded too fast, and I said "Well, Allegro means fast."  The next selection was an operatic baritone aria, which sounded like Alvin the Chipmunk. I had been playing the record on 45 rpm instead of 33. 

I sent the story to a teen magazine. They printed it under "My Most Embarrassing Experience" and paid me $10.

[Ciel_Rouge]

 

That was a good one. So, perhaps we can get more examples from female classical fans dating non-classical fans?

And BTW, what is a music camp? Is it like a music appreciation course held in open air? Did you discover any pieces there that you enjoy?

[Harpo]

That was a good one. So, perhaps we can get more examples from female classical fans dating non-classical fans?

And BTW, what is a music camp? Is it like a music appreciation course held in open air? Did you discover any pieces there that you enjoy?

Music camp is for teenage music performers of varying talents; I studied voice, theory and choral music. This one was in Maine. We stayed in regular camp bunks and ate camp food, but we gave concerts, and no sports were required.    It was great being with other teens with similar interests. I widened my repertoire, but it was so long ago that I can't give specifics, except "Quando me in vo." The composer John Adams was at camp with me in 1962. I think he was studying clarinet and conducting, though his autobiography says he was also composing. He says he was thrown out of camp after he led a rebellion to let him, instead of the camp director, conduct the final concert. Maybe so.

[greg]

The composer John Adams was at camp with me in 1962. I think he was studying clarinet and conducting, though his autobiography says he was also composing. He says he was thrown out of camp after he led a rebellion to let him, instead of the camp director, conduct the final concert. Maybe so.

Wow, really? 
Did you get to talk with him much?

[Harpo]

Wow, really? 
Did you get to talk with him much?

I remember hanging out with John and his girlfriend, but I don't remember any details. He was only 15 at the time. 

[Sergeant Rock]

A G-rated contribution...

Great band camp anecdotes! I hope you eventually tell us your X-rated band camp stories too  

I was wondering if we could verify the following stereotypes:
1. a classical fan is a lonely guy who rarely goes out
2. classical music attracts women and is used on romantic dinners

There is something wrong about your alleged stereotypes. If classical music attracts women, why would a male classical music fan be lonely? In any case, it doesn't fit my profile. Classical music has been a passion of mine since I was a whippersnapper. The fanaticism really took off when I hit puberty. Music and girls became intertwined and I never had difficulty finding attractive girls/women who shared my passions. I won't repeat the story of how I met the future Mrs. Rock but you all may remember it involved Der Freischütz, the Berlioz Requiem and the Mahler Second. But even prior to Mrs. Rock all my significant relationships were with women who liked classical music.

I fully concur with Bulldog about classical music and sex not mixing. As a romantic prelude, yes. During, no! My preferred background music is "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida"  

Sarge

[Sergeant Rock]

"Sgt. Rock is gonna help me,
Make the girl mine, raise the victory sign"

Sarge

[Ciel_Rouge]

Sargeant Rock: yes, these are CONFLICTING stereotypes - and there are lots of conflicting stereotypes in other areas of life as well. What I would like to find out is how these stereotypes hold in offline reality

[Josquin des Prez]

Am i the only one who thinks Sergeant Rock has an unhealthy obsession for his spouse?

[Brian]

Am i the only one who thinks Sergeant Rock has an unhealthy obsession for his spouse?

Yes, you are.