classical music and "elitism"

[Ken B]

I get that a lot too.  Usually an excerpt of Mahler is enough to get them at least to question that stereotype.

I tend to think, without any real evidence other than my own unique experience, that if anyone, anyone at all, just sat down and really listened to Bach, Beethoven, Mahler, Varese, or anyone we care to name, they'd fall in love with his/her work.  But we all know it just doesn't work that way.  Some folks just have no interest in exploring music they don't already know.  In that, they differ from us--yet they are just as valuable as persons.  Others have made a sincere effort to learn to like classical or contemporary-classical, and still don't get it.  I really can't condemn them any more than I can condemn many who lost interest in The Lord of the Rings after the first few chapters (while for me, it's about time to reread it for the 21st time ).

In that sense, classical music is not an art for everybody.  But is it by this rendered "elite"?

Yes. Most art is elite as are most fields of endeavour. Quantum theory is an elite subject.  Professional baseball is an elite game. Elite does not mean morally superior.

[Jaakko Keskinen]

Most of my friends aren't classical music lovers, but they all know about Bartok, Ligeti, and Ravel (among others).

My friend dislikes Wagner but he likes Bach. Which is probably the case with many people.

[Jo498]

Yes. Most art is elite as are most fields of endeavour. Quantum theory is an elite subject.  Professional baseball is an elite game.

But watching baseball is not. And passing an introductory Quantum theory class in college is not as elite as getting a Nobel prize for advancing the field. So why should merely listening to classical music be considered elite in the first place?

Elite does not mean morally superior.

Of course not. I do not think anyone claimed this. But one could still claim to have superior taste The current received wisdom claims that every pleasure is subjective and if people gain pleasure by listening zu Muzak or Rap and gorging themselves on McDonald's feed that's fine. I beg to differ. Not everybody has the inclination and leisure to appreciate every kind of art, but I think that it really is a better life (if only in this respect) if one can enjoy "refined" aesthetic experiences and it is a pity that many people do not even seem to miss this and are happy with Muzak and McDonalds.

[Florestan]

Of course not. I do not think anyone claimed this. But one could still claim to have superior taste The current received wisdom claims that every pleasure is subjective and if people gain pleasure by listening zu Muzak or Rap and gorging themselves on McDonald's feed that's fine. I beg to differ. Not everybody has the inclination and leisure to appreciate every kind of art, but I think that it really is a better live (if only in this respect) if one can enjoy "refined" aesthetic experiences and it is a pity that many people do not even seem to miss this and are happy with Muzak and McDonalds.

+ 1

[Karl Henning]

Maybe I will give them the benefit of the doubt and say they were trying to make you feel less isolated.... nah! The most common response I get from people of that sort is 'Oh, I love classical music, it is soooo relaxing!'.    Well, not for me!   

It's just that sort of "Classical Music as Sonic Wallpaper for Your Dentist's Waiting Room" rannygazoo which it was an abomination for WCRB in their darkest days to make Policy.

[Roy Bland]

post here but not sure proper
http://nem2013.music.uoa.gr/NEMproc2013.pdf