Why do people hate classical these days? (Started by Jack123...now a guest)

[mahler10th]

Jack123 has deleted his post, leaving John as the seeming originator. John would not ask such a question and was just trying to be helpful to someone who in fact was only here to carry out advertising.

Knight

Unlike pop, rock and mainstream music, Classical Music needs a little more thought than just bobbing a head or playing an air guitar.  The answer is very simple - people want to enjoy music without having to think about it.  It is a sign of the times.
Classical Music takes a little thinking to appreciate well, and most people are too lazy, so they either give you a funny look or tell you that they use it for 'relaxing'.  There is nothing 'relaxing' about, say, Petterssons 8th, or Placido Domingo climbing aloft to belt out "Esultate!"  Depends on what you listen to.
There are lyrics in Classical Music.  Again, depends what you're listening to.
The alleged 'retards' are those who don't want to know it because it involves 'thinking'.
It's just too much for some, who given the choice would settle for a burger rather than quality banquet.

[some guy]

Not only completely serious, but completely unsatisfied with the six pages of responses over at Talk Classical, which you have ignored since 5 October, 2006, a little over three months after you floated this identical query on that board.

Almost four years, and you don't have any other questions to ask?

Let me ask another question. Who are "people"? And why "these days"? (And has nothing really changed since 27 May, 2006 for you?)

Some people dislike classical music these days. But some people have disliked classical music in any days. Well, at least as long as the term "classical music" has been around. (This year is its centenary--this decade, anyway. And in Germany, anyway. In English, it didn't really catch on until the thirties, as I recall.*)

I vote that the question doesn't have enough content to be answered. (Though I notice that the first answer on this board is pretty close to what the first answer was back in 2006 on Talk Classical! )

*Not personally. As I recall from reading. I'm not THAT old. (For the more inattentive reader, that's the 1830s I'm referring to.)

[mahler10th]

I notice that the first answer on this board is pretty close to what the first answer was back in 2006 on Talk Classical! )

Aye, but mine was better.   

[MN Dave]

Why do people hate classical these days?

I don't think they hate it. They just don't care.

[Todd]

I don't think they hate it. They just don't care.

I have to agree with this.  And I must add that it has been this way for centuries.

[MN Dave]

Your average Joe doesn't care much about music--period.

[Todd]

Your average Joe doesn't care much about music--period.

Thank goodness for television then.

[MN Dave]

Thank goodness for television then.

Yep. And the Internet and video games...

[some guy]

Aye, but mine was better.   

Well, that other one was by a friend of mine, so I probably shouldn't say any more!!!

[Grazioso]

Your average Joe doesn't care much about music--period.

Yes, and those of us who do care can happily listen to "pop, rock and mainstream music" and can do more "than just bobbing a head or playing an air guitar." If you have an ear for music, you can find interesting things in just about any style or genre.

"Classical Music takes a little thinking to appreciate well" True: to appreciate well, but I imagine it's just as easy for someone to merely go along for the ride, so to speak, while listening to a hummable melody of Grieg, or Dvorak, or Tchaikovsky as it is for someone to just tap their foot and sing along to a rock song.

The main difference seems to be that, in general, classical music doesn't as readily lend itself to offering quick and easy bits of pleasure for those who want them. The preponderance of longer and more elaborate forms alone mitigates against that.

[Opus106]

The preponderance of longer and more elaborate forms

Interestingly that's one reason why I am so attracted to this form of music. When I listen to a popular song (not necessarily pop music), there are one or two extremely good moments. I would always wish that it lasted longer, even though I can only appreciate it as the stream of music flows. Any of these songs barely last 5 minutes, and those "moments" occur twice or thrice, and that leaves me wanting. However, in a typical symphony, for instance, those oh-so-good moments not only occurs more than a handful of times, they also appear in various guises, and by the end of movement I feel satiated -- though not always -- and I'm ready for new material.

[Franco]

Well I think the OP is a crock.

Just yesterday I had a conversation with a young woman, early 20s, and asked her what new music she has heard that she liked - and she included Classical in her response.  She did not strike me as someone who is a "fan" but one who likes to listen to Classical (Bach was one composer she mentioned) now and then.

No, I don't think it takes any special attentiveness, or level of sophistication, to enjoy Classical music it just takes having the idea to give it a try.  Granted, that idea does not dawn on just everybody - but for those who decide to try something different for a change, Classical music is not out of their reach.

[Josquin des Prez]

Well I think the OP is a crock.

No, you are. I'm 32 years old and i never, ever met anybody in my age bracket who listens to classical music. Ever. It just doesn't happen.

No, I don't think it takes any special attentiveness, or level of sophistication, to enjoy Classical music

Yes it does, and that's why it is not popular.

[Bulldog]

No, I don't think it takes any special attentiveness, or level of sophistication, to enjoy Classical music it just takes having the idea to give it a try. 

You're probably correct concerning folks who listen to the more popular works now and then.  However, I do feel it takes a special attentiveness to be a classical music enthusiast whose listening regimen is a few hours every day of works that can't possibly be fully rewarding without that special attention.

As for the relative popularity of classical music, it doesn't register with most people.  I remember a past co-worker who was big on Elvis and country music; he once asked me how I could enjoy music that had no lyrics.  Looking at it another way, I worked with a couple of hundred other professionals and was the sole person who listened primarily to classical except for an environmentalist who was ancient and died at his desk.

[knight66]

My father often referred to what I listened to as, 'That bloody funeral music.' I joined a symphony choir. He wanted to come along and hear something, so I chose what I thought he and my mother could bear. I was wrong. He left the hall stiff faced, as though I had stuck him with a long evening of tortoise fighting.

Mike

[mahler10th]

CAN MODERATORS TAKE MY NAME OFF AS THE CREATOR OF THIS THREAD.
It is not my thread at all.  I don't want anything to do witrh asking such a stupid question - and I don't need any answers.

[bhodges]

Ah, I think one of the (now gone) spam-bots may have started the thread.  I could either a) delete your first post, or b) change the title of the thread.  (Or happy to entertain other solutions.) 

--Bruce

[knight66]

I have done what I can, altering the title and the John's first post. Remove John's post and Some Other Guy looks like the orignator. I don't want to delete the thread, as people are discussing the topic irrespective of who started it or why.

Knight

[bhodges]

Great, thanks.  (I just changed the titles of all posts in the thread.)

--Bruce

[mahler10th]

Thank you fellows.
NOW I agree with Franco, the OP is a crock.
'Hate' is a destructive word I usually associate with Country Western, not Classical.