Classical Music is enjoyable really. Why people used to really love it. We need to get back to those special times.

By christopheranton

Enjoying music is good.

Is he being tortured by Mozart?

See all 2 photos

Enjoying Handel's Water Music.

Johann Strauss. He used to play in the Viennese Clubs.

Why do people not like classical music?

One of the great divisions in our modern society is between people who like classical music and those who don’t.

There seems to be a particular aversion amongst young people towards the music of Mozart, Beethoven et al.

Recently the managers of some shopping centres that were being plagued by hordes of teenagers hanging around play fighting and causing general mayhem hit on a rather novel way of emptying their premises of the undesired hordes. They didn’t spray them with cold water, neither did they constantly harass them with officious security guards, or sprinkle them with pimple growing powder. The solution they came to, and one that emptied the shopping centre of all the adolescent squatters was to pipe in selections of classical favourites. The shopping centre instantly became too uncool for a teenage hangout, and the problem was solved.

This does beg the question though. Why do so many people dislike classical music?

If you ask on a street corner what the feelings are about the music of the great classical composers, the answers you are likely to get range from

"I don’t like that boring crap"

"That shit is only for snobs"

Why should that be?

Classical music is sexy, and fun.

I think there is a great problem in the perception of classical music in our society. What is more it comes from a misunderstanding of what it is really like, and this is being fostered by the classical music establishment, who do tend to overemphasise the "artiness" of music, while forgetting that originally it was composed to give pleasure to people, through listening to it, rather than provide them with topics of conversation that would set them above the "common herd".

When Handel was producing his operas in London in the eighteenth century, the theatres used to be besieged by punters trying to get tickets to see his latest offering. They were going along because they enjoyed music. They found it entertaining. They were not interested in throwing such terms as "andante" or "arpeggio" into their conversations. They just wanted to have a good night out.

In Vienna the operas of Mozart were oversubscribed. People sang the arias in the streets. People used to dance to the music of Strauss in the nineteenth century equivalent of today’s nightclubs.

If there was a particularly popular singer scheduled to perform in an opera thousands of people would unhook the horses from the carriage, and tow their idol to the theatre.

Franz Liszt was considered such a sex object that ladies used to faint at his concerts.

People used to really enjoy music in those days.

I remember seeing a film that was made of the dress rehearsal of Beethoven's Symphony no 3. This was in Vienna in 1804, (the rehearsal, not the film). The people who were listening were tapping their feet, and swaying to the music. To them it was something to enjoy, not some "uncool arty rubbish" to be dissected later, while sipping glasses of chilled chardonnay.

I would like to see music appreciation go back a bit to what it once was, before it became strangled with elitist labels.

Handel's Water Music was composed to add enjoyment to a boating trip, and his Music for The Royal Fireworks was composed for masses of people to enjoy as an accompaniment to a fireworks display.

Forget about elitism. Listen to classical music because it is first and foremost entertaining.

I would love to see the day when teenagers come running into a shopping centre, to hear brilliant classical music, rather than running out to avoid it.

I will post two videos with this of music that is definitely meant to be enjoyed rather than endured.

Imagine a summers day on the river.

	Handel: Water Music Suites Amazon Price: $2.98 List Price: $6.98
	Water Music Suite No.2 in D - 2. Alla hornpipe Amazon Price: $0.99
	Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks / Water Music Amazon Price: $10.95 List Price: $16.98

This will get you dancing.

Quality items from eBay.

	1 CENT CD: 'Copland: The Music of America' Cincinnati Pops Orchestra on Telarc Current Bid: $1.80
	SATIE PIANO MUSIC DANIEL VARSANO SRCR1536 1995 JAPAN CD Current Bid: $2.99
	10 LP Lot Julian Bream Acoustic Guitar Classical RCA Mint LP INSTANT COLLECTION Current Bid: $13.00

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drbj Level 8 Commenter 16 months ago

Two very enjoyable classical selections, christopher. Thank you.

suziecat7 Level 5 Commenter 16 months ago

I do love classical music. Nice Hub.

christopheranton Hub Author 16 months ago

Two of my real favourites as well. People shouldnt be snobby about something that is just enjoyable.

Thanks for dropping in drjb.

Thanks suziecat.

I love it as well.

Nell Rose Level 8 Commenter 16 months ago

Hi, Christopher, I think I know why it is, it is because of the continued brainwashing of the young with chart records etc, I don't know if you saw that TV programme recently with a lot of normal teenagers being taught classical music in one of the theatres? it was a bit like x factor but with classical music, to start with the kids were laughing and embarrassed, but after a few weeks they loved it! if TV said it was cool then they would follow it! shame, but true! it is great I love it, cheers nell

christopheranton Hub Author 16 months ago

Hi Nell.

I missed that program. I am kind of sorry that I did now.

Nellieanna Level 8 Commenter 16 months ago

I really love the selections you included here. I'm saving them. There are so many favorites but Mozart, Beethoven, Puccini and Mahler are way up there on my "Hit Parade". My car radio stays set on WRR, the local classical music station. I don't get out to performances too much (though I may fix that!) - but enjoy it where I find it.

The story about the Mall emptying its premises of teenage "squatters" was interesting. What we have may be a second-or-third-generation of classically deprived families. Teens are almost always a bit rebellious and eager to find their own "sound" but those with exposure to the classics usually continue to appreciate it or else return to it once the glitter dims or wears off the pop stuff. They may see the value in enjoying more than one genre, in fact.

During this past Christmas shopping season, one mall came up with an idea that met with a better reception. People shopping, dressed just like any other shoppers but were actually members of a local symphony chorus and on cue, broke out singing classic carols right there among other shoppers. From the TV coverage, it appeared that they were appreciated, though folks were surprised at first. It seemed to not be staged in the least.

Possibly you may not be associating Nashville, USA, with classical music, but they actually have a great Symphony Orchestra. A good online friend just today sent me this link and from it, I'm in process of becoming a member (though it's not required in order to hear the music). I have a huge classical CD collection and must have it in my life. I've mentioned that I'm somewhat eclectic in my musical tastes, but I confess to a classical preference and within each genre, I'm quite fussy. I have very sensitive ears! You might enjoy checking this out. If it's still playing the same selection, it's a lovely Mozart Concerto.

The Nashville Symphony In Concert:

http://www.npr.org/2011/01/07/132654102/nashville-

This great site offers really great music for FREE!

Many stories at NPR.org have audio or visual content. When you visit the link

above, look for a "Listen" or "Watch" button.

For technical support, please visit NPR's Audio/Visual Help page:

http://help.npr.org/npr/consumer/kbdetail.asp?kbid

christopheranton Hub Author 16 months ago

Thanks for your comprehensive comment Nellieanna, And thanks for that link. I will certainly be checking it out, and bookmarking it.

you are a treasure, and a true friend.

MartieCoetser Level 8 Commenter 16 months ago

Classical music addresses the soul and not the body. There is a time and a place for every kind of music. Thank you for the videos. I've voted this hub up and up!

christopheranton Hub Author 16 months ago

Thank you Martie. I'm glad you liked the music.

John Sarkis Level 7 Commenter 12 months ago

Great article christopher.

What does "not Wikipedia, or facebook" means?

Take care,

John

christopheranton Hub Author 12 months ago

Hi John.

I,m pleased you liked it.

The "not wikipedia or facebook" was an experiment I was trying in my titles to see how it helped with the search engines. I put it on all my hubs. It doesnt seem to make a lot of difference.

I,m gradually editing them all now to get rid of it.

It will take me a while, as I have over one hundred hubs.