There are many!
Like....
Classical Music is for old people.
Classical Music is for the wealthy.
Classical Music is for the snobbish rich.
Others?
It's boring.
for the pretentious
for the English and their tea times
for the nerds
All classical music listeners are smart. Thankfully some of the posters here have been brave enough to prove that awful stereotype false.
Also, that everyone who listens to classical music looks like this:
(http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n136/joecarswald/monopoly_guy-1.jpg)
Quote from: MN Dave on May 20, 2008, 01:03:17 PM
It's boring.
I like to erase that conception- if only in a few people, by letting friends listen to Stravinsky and Xenakis. Now they problem just think it's all crazy. 8)
Quote from: Corey on May 20, 2008, 01:28:12 PM
All classical music listeners are smart.
Ha, I can erase that conception just by existing! ;D
I hear this from my uneducated students all the time:
"Classical Music is meaningless because there aren't any lyrics."
Quote from: hornteacher on May 20, 2008, 03:32:12 PM
"Classical Music is meaningless because there aren't any lyrics."
hmmmm i've liked instrumental music ever since i started listening to music. I just don't get society.
I find that the best thing to do with these stereotypes is to pay them no mind.
It all sounds like Mozart.
Quote from: ChamberNut on May 20, 2008, 11:25:33 AM
There are many!
Like....
Classical Music is for the wealthy.
Now that one's true. The year I got back into classical music, my income tripled.
Quote from: Don on May 20, 2008, 03:48:01 PM
Now that one's true. The year I got back into classical music, my income tripled.
Share your secrets! ;D
It has no melody, no feeling, and it's way too long for the sake of my ears.
It's good for relaxing/sleeping.
Quote from: hornteacher on May 20, 2008, 03:32:12 PM
I hear this from my uneducated students all the time:
"Classical Music is meaningless because there aren't any lyrics."
You mean Josh Groban is not classical?
Quote from: Don on May 20, 2008, 03:48:01 PM
Now that one's true. The year I got back into classical music, my income tripled.
And your expenditure..........?
Quote from: ChamberNut on May 20, 2008, 11:25:33 AM
There are many!
Like....
Classical Music is for the snobbish rich.
Others?
Are we snobs? Well I can only speak for myself. Personally I believe that when compared to classical music, pop and rock music are trash. If that makes me a snob, so be it!
marvin
"You have to be a musician to appreciate classical music"
"Baroque music all sounds the same"
"Mozart's music is all light, sunny, and not serious"
Quote from: ChamberNut on May 21, 2008, 09:15:01 AM
"You have to be a musician to appreciate classical music"
"Baroque music all sounds the same"
"Mozart's music is all light, sunny, and not serious"
I've never heard any of those. Hardly anyone is educated enough with classical to even make such claims. Maybe by those few with a limited exposure.......
Quote from: ChamberNut on May 21, 2008, 09:15:01 AM
"Baroque music all sounds the same"
There is an excellent PDQ Bach skit to this effect. ;D
Quote from: ChamberNut on May 21, 2008, 09:15:01 AM
"Baroque music all sounds the same"
Other than Bach and Handel, other Baroque music pretty much sound the same. Let's get real, the differences are second-order.
Quote from: Brian on May 20, 2008, 03:40:04 PM
It all sounds like Mozart.
Perhaps a variation: Mozart sounds like generic classical music.
Others:
Pierre Boulez conducts coldly and analytically.
Otto Klemperer's performances are architecturally solid; i.e., "granitic".
Herbert von Karajan's performances are sleek and over-polished.
And one of my favorites:
The Emerson Quartet has technique to burn, but no soul.
I'm sure I can think of others given time.
Quote from: Brian on May 20, 2008, 05:05:52 PM
Share your secrets! ;D
I got a huge promotion and bonus. Turns out that the "big boss" was also a classical music man. Of course, my excellence in the work place didn't hurt any.
Quote from: GGGGRRREEG on May 21, 2008, 09:22:00 AM
I've never heard any of those. Hardly anyone is educated enough with classical to even make such claims. Maybe by those few with a limited exposure.......
Well you've seen James's copy-and-pasted dismissals of Mozart for his "surface beauty & glitter & charm" right?
Quote from: marvinbrown on May 21, 2008, 03:06:17 AM
Are we snobs? Well I can only speak for myself. Personally I believe that when compared to classical music, pop and rock music are trash.
marvin
I don't hold this view. I've heard plenty of classical music that I consider inferior to the better rock pieces. Bottom line is that making statements like Marvin's constitutes stereotyping.
Quote from: Corey on May 21, 2008, 01:40:11 PM
Well you've seen James's copy-and-pasted dismissals of Mozart for his "surface beauty & glitter & charm" right?
I thought this thread was only about people who don't listen to classical (which is 99.9% of the general population). Otherwise, yeah, i get it......
Quote from: moldyoldie on May 21, 2008, 01:32:52 PM
Others:
Pierre Boulez conducts coldly and analytically.
Otto Klemperer's performances are architecturally solid; i.e., "granitic".
Herbert von Karajan's performances are sleek and over-polished.
All of these are, at given times - though not universally, correct.
Quote from: Don on May 21, 2008, 01:43:34 PM
I don't hold this view. I've heard plenty of classical music that I consider inferior to the better rock pieces. Bottom line is that making statements like Marvin's constitutes stereotyping.
Sorry Don I was just venting. I am involved with someone at the moment who loves 80's pop music. If I hear one more Duran Duran or A-ha song I am going to jump off a high cliff! I can't get my girlfriend to even listen to J. Strauss's waltzes :-\.
marvin
Quote from: marvinbrown on May 21, 2008, 03:00:13 PM
Sorry Don I was just venting. I am involved with someone at the moment who loves 80's pop music. If I hear one more Duran Duran or A-ha song I am going to jump off a high cliff! I can't get my girlfriend to even listen to J. Strauss's waltzes :-\.
marvin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUod3jGQt0U
Quote from: marvinbrown on May 21, 2008, 03:00:13 PM
Sorry Don I was just venting. I am involved with someone at the moment who loves 80's pop music. If I hear one more Duran Duran or A-ha song I am going to jump off a high cliff! I can't get my girlfriend to even listen to J. Strauss's waltzes :-\.
marvin
I would also have a hard time putting up with a steady stream of pop music.
Quote from: marvinbrown on May 21, 2008, 03:00:13 PM
Sorry Don I was just venting. I am involved with someone at the moment who loves 80's pop music. If I hear one more Duran Duran or A-ha song I am going to jump off a high cliff! I can't get my girlfriend to even listen to J. Strauss's waltzes :-\.
marvin
That's why you gradually nudge your S.O.'s listening tastes toward more serious pop and rock. There's a big difference between A-Ha's
Hunting High and Low and Bruce Springsteen's
Nebraska. Once she has a taste for more serious music, you can throw a little Steely Dan into the mix. Then, well, the jump to classical doesn't seem so far, does it?
Really, she doesn't have to like classical, but there's pop and then there's serious popular music.
Quote from: PSmith08 on May 21, 2008, 03:11:46 PM
That's why you gradually nudge your S.O.'s listening tastes toward more serious pop and rock. There's a big difference between A-Ha's Hunting High and Low and Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska. Once she has a taste for more serious music, you can throw a little Steely Dan into the mix. Then, well, the jump to classical doesn't seem so far, does it?
Really, she doesn't have to like classical, but there's pop and then there's serious popular music.
Thanks for the tip :)!
marvin
Quote from: marvinbrown on May 21, 2008, 03:13:10 PM
Thanks for the tip :)!
marvin
Don't mention it. Steely Dan is one of the "gateway" artists. Any of the Prog Rock or fusion types will do.
It's how I got into classical. It works.
Quote from: marvinbrown on May 21, 2008, 03:00:13 PM
Sorry Don I was just venting. I am involved with someone at the moment who loves 80's pop music. If I hear one more Duran Duran or A-ha song I am going to jump off a high cliff! I can't get my girlfriend to even listen to J. Strauss's waltzes :-\.
marvin
This post is so funny and sad, in so many ways......
Quote from: Don on May 21, 2008, 01:43:34 PM
I've heard plenty of classical music that I consider inferior to the better rock pieces.
I agree. We often forget that posterity has weeded out much of the dross of classical music.
A lot of classical music fans are snobs. Classical music attracts them, in the same way that heavy metal attracts antisocial drunks. But it's not a universally applicable archetype!
Quote from: Brian on May 20, 2008, 03:40:04 PM
It all sounds like Mozart.
I used to work with someone who thought all classical music sounded like the
Schindler's List score.
'Classical music is too slow'
'Classical music isn't loud enough'
'Classical music puts me to sleep'
'Classical music has too many notes in it'
:o :o :o
Quote from: Chrone on May 21, 2008, 07:26:54 PM
I used to work with someone who thought all classical music sounded like the Schindler's List score.
Don't they have special camps for those people?
Fixed an extra word.
I tried to educate my boss/coworker by giving her a sort of "instant classical collection" one Xmas. But the other day she said that classical music is what she listens to to relax. I shoulda stuck some Shostakovich in there!
When playing some classical music one day, this from my fiancee (who doesn't mind classical, but listens more to classic rock, folk and hip/hop):
"Can we change it to something else. Sorry, I'm just not in the mood for it right now. I need to listen to something with rhythm and a beat." ???
Quote from: ChamberNut on May 22, 2008, 04:25:54 AM
When playing some classical music one day, this from my fiancee (who doesn't mind classical, but listens more to classic rock, folk and hip/hop):
"Can we change it to something else. Sorry, I'm just not in the mood for it right now. I need to listen to something with rhythm and a beat." ???
Most people need DRUMS. ;D
Quote from: 12tone. on May 21, 2008, 07:48:43 PM
'Classical music has too many notes in it'
:o :o :o
You've been watching
Amadeus again haven't you ;) ??
marvin
Quote from: MN Dave on May 22, 2008, 04:26:56 AM
Most people need DRUMS. ;D
Give them Nielsen's 4th or Mahler's 7th. That should take care of that.
Quote from: PSmith08 on May 22, 2008, 02:40:24 PM
Give them Nielsen's 4th or Mahler's 7th. That should take care of that.
Or Reich's 'Drumming'!
Since I see that the discussion here has veered a little towards the merits of popular music, let me just give some personal opinions on this matter.
Initially, when I started out in classical music, I continued to purchase recordings of pop and rock music, but over time their appeal started to wane, until eventually one day I looked at my collection and thought to myself: "I spent so much money on this?". In fairness, though, I suspect that the best rock music etc. is not to be found on the charts and the mainstream media, just like the best classical music is nowhere like Il Divo or Josh Groban. (Ugh). I will therefore restrict my opinions to music that is "popular" in the truest sense of the word – namely, the mediocrities that get the most mainstream media coverage these days, and not to make generalizations regarding any particular genre.
Popular music is, in my opinion, banal, formulaic, and shallow. Perhaps the greatest sin it has committed is the de-sensitizing of its listeners from the subtleties and emotional content in music, and the crippling of their capacity to recognize greatness. This is why we have people who can not sense a beat without the aid of drums, and to whom every piece of music is either only "happy", "sad", or some other simplistic stock words. When I look back at my experience just a few years ago, I feel that my enjoyment of such popular music was a very superficial one: It is but delight in the familiar, the comfortable, the unchallenging. Practically nothing I heard ever made an impact right to the bottom of my heart, or inspire wonder in me – nothing made me think, "Genius!", "Masterpiece!", "How did he do that?", etc. Ultimately I think this is the root of the many stereotypes we have here: People who try to extend the insensitive method of appraisal applied to their own music to the classical genre.
Does this make me a snob? I certainly don't think so – I have never considered myself superior to others just because I listen to classical music and, conversely, the desire for superiority does not in any way motivate my liking for classical music. In fact, whenever I listen to works by the great masters (or even some of the not-so-great composers), I found so many things that are wonderful that I can't believe anyone would be drawn to classical music just because of its association with class, intellect, and whatnots. If there really are such people, then let it be known that I despise such an act. However, that is still infinitely better than those who make a vice out of everything that is intellectually / culturally ennobling – such an attitude is beneath contempt. Better to be a snob than a reverse-snob, I say!
You don't need to be wealthy to enjoy classical music, of course, but it helps. There seems to be more casual pop/rock listeners compared to casual classical listeners. The hallmark of a real classical music enthusiast is, in my opinion, a strong exploratory desire – be it for obscure composers, the complete works of a great composer, or different interpretations of the canonic masterpieces. This naturally translates into a fair bit of consumerism. On the flip side, classical concerts do tend to be cheaper than pop/rock concerts (over here at least).
Quote from: Monsieur Croche on May 22, 2008, 08:51:01 PM
In fairness, though, I suspect that the best rock music etc. is not to be found on the charts and the mainstream media, just like the best classical music is nowhere like Il Divo or Josh Groban. (Ugh). I will therefore restrict my opinions to music that is "popular" in the truest sense of the word – namely, the mediocrities that get the most mainstream media coverage these days, and not to make generalizations regarding any particular genre.
An aficionado of "pop" music knows that most stuff in the charts is garbage, just as an aficionado of "classical" music won't have Opera Babes in their collection, unless their mother gave it to them and so they can't throw it out. There's always been a market consisting of people who don't care about music and don't want to think about it, who buy on vague principles like popularity or appropriateness as background music. The music for this market tends to evaporate fairly quickly, while the good stuff, although it has less visibility, endures.
Quote from: Monsieur Croche on May 22, 2008, 08:51:01 PM
Popular music is, in my opinion, banal, formulaic, and shallow.
Like Mozart?
Quote from: Corey on May 20, 2008, 01:28:12 PM
All classical music listeners are smart. Thankfully some of the posters here have been brave enough to prove that awful stereotype false.
Also, that everyone who listens to classical music looks like this:
(http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n136/joecarswald/monopoly_guy-1.jpg)
You mean you guys don't look like that?
Quote from: Don on May 21, 2008, 01:43:34 PM
I don't hold this view. I've heard plenty of classical music that I consider inferior to the better rock pieces. Bottom line is that making statements like Marvin's constitutes stereotyping.
But is the best of rock near the best of Classical? There is this website that is mostly dedicated to heavy metal, and even there there is recognition that Classical Music was far more artistically significant. I don't think that there can even be a debate here.
Stereotypes I have encountered:
Classical music is:
- boring This is either just an image or caused by the inability to grasp the music...
- for quiet relaxation Very common mistake. How on earth can anybody think this? :o Maybe because of all the "candle light" crap by the likes of Richard Clayderman?
- depressing Actually the closest to reality! ;D Classical music does (also) reflect the darker moods of the human mind, but so do other musical genres. And there is plenty more on offer! :)
Q
Quote from: PerfectWagnerite on May 21, 2008, 11:20:37 AM
Other than Bach and Handel, other Baroque music pretty much sound the same. Let's get real, the differences are second-order.
Is it an example of stereotype or your opinion? Or a joke?
Quote from: Mozart on May 22, 2008, 09:41:12 PM
You mean you guys don't look like that?
I think Don and Harry look like that. ;D
Quote from: Monsieur Croche on May 22, 2008, 08:51:01 PM
works by the great masters (or even some of the not-so-great composers), I found so many things that are wonderful that I can't believe anyone would be drawn to classical music just because of its association with class, intellect, and whatnots. If there really are such people, then let it be known that I despise such an act. However, that is still infinitely better than those who make a vice out of everything that is intellectually / culturally ennobling – such an attitude is beneath contempt. Better to be a snob than a reverse-snob, I say!
Yet the fact that classical music is associated with class, intellect, and education is a good thing. In our day of unthinking egalitarianism, it's salutary when something reminds people that some things are indeed superior, that some things are to be striven for. Likewise, the culture or appanages of classical music provide one of the few remaining refuges from our general culture of enforced mediocrity, proud ignorance, and crude tastes. Elitism may not be good, but elite things are.
Quote from: eyeresist on May 22, 2008, 09:28:56 PM
Like Mozart?
I have to say that I find it hard to believe anyone who is either a careful listener or a serious classical music lover would call Mozart "banal, formulaic, and shallow." His style won't appeal to all, of course, but that has nothing to do with the depth and craftsmanship of his music. If that's how they perceive Mozart, how much more are they missing in the other composers they've listened to?
Quote from: Que on May 23, 2008, 12:43:21 AM
Classical music is:
- for quiet relaxation Very common mistake. How on earth can anybody think this? :o Maybe because of all the "candle light" crap by the likes of Richard Clayderman?
How can anyone think that? Easily. Some of it does indeed sound like it's for quiet relaxation. It's not all barnstorming Mahler or percussive Stravinsky by any stretch. And there's nothing inherently wrong with gentle, calm, soothing music. But another part of it may be the way many people are exposed to classical music: my local public radio station--the only substantial traditional media outlet for classical music locally--usually just plays the most sedate, accessible, and short pieces it can, replete with announcers who speak in a soothing whisper. If this station is indicative of others, well....
Quote from: Monsieur Croche on May 22, 2008, 08:51:01 PM
Since I see that the discussion here has veered a little towards the merits of popular music, let me just give some personal opinions on this matter.
Initially, when I started out in classical music, I continued to purchase recordings of pop and rock music, but over time their appeal started to wane, until eventually one day I looked at my collection and thought to myself: "I spent so much money on this?". In fairness, though, I suspect that the best rock music etc. is not to be found on the charts and the mainstream media, just like the best classical music is nowhere like Il Divo or Josh Groban. (Ugh). I will therefore restrict my opinions to music that is "popular" in the truest sense of the word – namely, the mediocrities that get the most mainstream media coverage these days, and not to make generalizations regarding any particular genre.
Popular music is, in my opinion, banal, formulaic, and shallow. Perhaps the greatest sin it has committed is the de-sensitizing of its listeners from the subtleties and emotional content in music, and the crippling of their capacity to recognize greatness. This is why we have people who can not sense a beat without the aid of drums, and to whom every piece of music is either only "happy", "sad", or some other simplistic stock words. When I look back at my experience just a few years ago, I feel that my enjoyment of such popular music was a very superficial one: It is but delight in the familiar, the comfortable, the unchallenging. Practically nothing I heard ever made an impact right to the bottom of my heart, or inspire wonder in me – nothing made me think, "Genius!", "Masterpiece!", "How did he do that?", etc. Ultimately I think this is the root of the many stereotypes we have here: People who try to extend the insensitive method of appraisal applied to their own music to the classical genre.
Does this make me a snob? I certainly don't think so – I have never considered myself superior to others just because I listen to classical music and, conversely, the desire for superiority does not in any way motivate my liking for classical music. In fact, whenever I listen to works by the great masters (or even some of the not-so-great composers), I found so many things that are wonderful that I can't believe anyone would be drawn to classical music just because of its association with class, intellect, and whatnots. If there really are such people, then let it be known that I despise such an act. However, that is still infinitely better than those who make a vice out of everything that is intellectually / culturally ennobling – such an attitude is beneath contempt. Better to be a snob than a reverse-snob, I say!
You don't need to be wealthy to enjoy classical music, of course, but it helps. There seems to be more casual pop/rock listeners compared to casual classical listeners. The hallmark of a real classical music enthusiast is, in my opinion, a strong exploratory desire – be it for obscure composers, the complete works of a great composer, or different interpretations of the canonic masterpieces. This naturally translates into a fair bit of consumerism. On the flip side, classical concerts do tend to be cheaper than pop/rock concerts (over here at least).
Love this post......
And you're right, the best rock music isn't the most popular. I started off liking music that wasn't exactly the most accessible for rock (i'm talking about instrumental rock here) and just found it more interesting. The other stuff that came on the radio never moved me, so I never listened/listen to the radio.
Quote from: Grazioso on May 23, 2008, 04:33:14 AM
How can anyone think that? Easily. Some of it does indeed sound like it's for quiet relaxation. It's not all barnstorming Mahler or percussive Stravinsky by any stretch. And there's nothing inherently wrong with gentle, calm, soothing music. But another part of it may be the way many people are exposed to classical music: my local public radio station--the only substantial traditional media outlet for classical music locally--usually just plays the most sedate, accessible, and short pieces it can, replete with announcers who speak in a soothing whisper. If this station is indicative of others, well....
Mine, too...... :'(
Quote from: Que on May 23, 2008, 12:43:21 AM
- depressing Actually the closest to reality! ;D Classical music does (also) reflect the darker moods of the human mind, but so do other musical genres. And there is plenty more on offer! :)
Depressing music is the best! A lot of 20th century classical has the same type of spirit as death metal or doom metal, except more complex and interesting.
Quote from: LVB_opus.125 on May 22, 2008, 09:53:08 PM
But is the best of rock near the best of Classical?
Does it really make any difference? These two types of music are so distinct from one another and serve different purposes. Why compare them at all?
Quote from: Don on May 23, 2008, 03:33:38 PM
Does it really make any difference? These two types of music are so distinct from one another and serve different purposes. Why compare them at all?
I don't know... When I hear a typical short, punchy, formulaic Italianate Baroque allegro, it often makes me think "This is the rock music of the classical world." And because of frequent classical stylistic borrowings in heavy metal, the point is only further underlined to my ears. For Lieder, too, comparisons can be made to various types of pop songs. Naturally, once you start moving into large-scale chamber or orchestral works, similarities quickly vanish. Apples and oranges then, indeed.
Quote from: Que on May 23, 2008, 12:43:21 AM
- for quiet relaxation Very common mistake. How on earth can anybody think this? :o Maybe because of all the "candle light" crap by the likes of Richard Clayderman?
Honestly, I know
many people who say that they listen to Classical music, but only for relaxation. Some Mozart slow movements are fine, as well as Bach's famous
Air. But if I play them a quick and lively movement, they say that it is disturbing music and it makes them nervous.
I just don't understand that, as most popular music is fast and loud and at least to ME sometimes very disturbing.
Quote from: marvinbrown on May 21, 2008, 03:06:17 AM
Are we snobs? Well I can only speak for myself. Personally I believe that when compared to classical music, pop and rock music are trash. If that makes me a snob, so be it!
marvin
Louis Armstrong recordings from the years 1924 -32 are the best examples of pop music as high art.
Quote from: Chaszz on May 24, 2008, 08:43:53 AM
Louis Armstrong recordings from the years 1924 -32 are the best examples of pop music as high art.
Would Louis Armstring be called pop or jazz??
marvin
Quote from: rappy on May 24, 2008, 04:25:28 AM
Honestly, I know many people who say that they listen to Classical music, but only for relaxation. Some Mozart slow movements are fine, as well as Bach's famous Air. But if I play them a quick and lively movement, they say that it is disturbing music and it makes them nervous.
I just don't understand that, as most popular music is fast and loud and at least to ME sometimes very disturbing.
i hate this...... it's either "pretty" or "annoying". ::)
The weirdest I've heard from an acquaintance was that "it's too loud". That one kind of threw me for a bit, but I suppose he meant that the dynamic range is too wide.
Quote from: Daverz on May 24, 2008, 06:47:52 PM
The weirdest I've heard from an acquaintance was that "it's too loud". That one kind of threw me for a bit, but I suppose he meant that the dynamic range is too wide.
i just wish recordings wouldn't emphasize so
much the dynamic range, at least so when you're listening in the car (with someone else who can be easily irritated) you don't have to change the volume all the time.
Classical music? my grand-mother has not died yet >:D
Quote from: GGGGRRREEG on May 24, 2008, 06:51:09 PM
i just wish recordings wouldn't emphasize so much the dynamic range, at least so when you're listening in the car (with someone else who can be easily irritated) you don't have to change the volume all the time.
There's an easy solution for that. Just reach over, open the passenger-side door, and tell them to "tuck and roll"!
Quote from: GGGGRRREEG on May 24, 2008, 06:51:09 PM
i just wish recordings wouldn't emphasize so much the dynamic range, at least so when you're listening in the car (with someone else who can be easily irritated) you don't have to change the volume all the time.
That's why I rarely listen to classical music in my car. At high speeds the noise makes it impossible to hear the quieter details of the music. :(
Quote from: Keemun on May 25, 2008, 07:17:02 AM
That's why I rarely listen to classical music in my car. At high speeds the noise makes it impossible to hear the quieter details of the music. :(
Stick to the baroque and classical periods, or solo instruments and chamber music. I played all the Brandenburgs on my last long trip.
I used to listen to the 4 seasons in my car...right before the 3rd mov of summer it would get really silent...and then BAM! every single time it happened i jumped up. Even when I would expect it...ok dont get scared this time...hey were is it...oh maybe i should focus on the road... bamm! Oh sh*t!
Organ music works nice in the car. I once played some of organ music by Bach...quite nice ;D
What works nicely in the car, I find, is historical performances. The dynamic range is already compressed, so as a %, you're hearing much more of the recording than if you went with a digital recording. Good time to try out Toscanini, Schnabel, etc.
Quote from: jwinter on May 25, 2008, 05:54:44 PM
What works nicely in the car, I find, is historical performances. The dynamic range is already compressed, so as a %, you're hearing much more of the recording than if you went with a digital recording. Good time to try out Toscanini, Schnabel, etc.
But there are digital baroque recordings? I don't get it ???
The term 'proud ignorance' really riled me up there, Grazioso, as it brought back certain unpleasant memories during my high school days... But you are right: It seems that the only socially acceptable things these days are those that panders to the lowest common denominator of our society, and the enjoyment of classical music will likely continue to be confined to a small elite. Lest anyone wishes to condemn me as an elitist, let me clarify that elitism implies exclusivity and obscurantism – things that very few true classical music lovers would want to engage in! (After all, what good will that do to us?) On the other hand, I am fervently against the dumbing down of classical music just to appeal to the masses... The fact is, classical music does require a certain amount of effort to appreciate, and to say otherwise would be a gross distortion of truth.
My local radio station, unfortunately, fits your description perfectly. I remembered the radio announcer saying things about music to soothe you during the traffic jam or something like that, and I seriously wondered if he was interested in classical music at all. Nevertheless I still listened to the radio occasionally, until perhaps around a year ago, when I heard the same annoying excerpt from Bizet's Carmen played twice in the same day!
I think my experience with Mozart provides a good example of the de-sensitizing effect of popular music. When I first started out in classical music, and was still struggling to escape the trappings of popular music, 'shallow' is precisely what I hear in Mozart. Yet now I hear incredible emotional depth and subtlety beneath the happy-go-lucky veneer in his music.
Let me just add another stereotype here: If it is an instrumental piece of music, and it doesn't sound like jazz, then it must be classical music. I suppose this misconception is responsible for the entirely undeserved inclusion of artists such as Richard Clayderman into the classical genre. I don't bear a grudge against these artists on the strength (or lack thereof) of their music alone, but their masquerading act has a dangerously misleading effect on the public - and this I can not stand.
Quote from: -abe- on May 26, 2008, 09:41:28 PM
Then again, there is Mahler...
But then there is also Telemann...