Hellloooo friends!!!
It's a surprise to notice that the demand for classical music is facing a continous fall. Now it is being used to have a fusion or remix. The introduction of other latest music forms have overshadowed its importance and grace. What is your view point about the emerging music preference of music among the present generation.
Ruhi Sheikh
Music Reviewer
Hi there Ruhi Sheikh,
You've asked an interesting question -
'What is your viewpoint about the emerging preference of music among the present generation ?'.
I believe the opposite to what you suggest. But let's begin with some statistics - hard facts - so that we can discuss this subject fairly and not in a highly selective fashion.
Societies of the 20th century have recorded, performed, listened to and bought more recordings of classical music than would ever have been dreamed of by those living in the 17th, 18th or 19th centuries. Such a thing is amazing. And its been very successful. Modern society has been more involved in this great music than was ever true in past times. The great works of classical music are today found virtually everywhere. They are alluded to everywhere. Even by musicians who hardly know one end of a Bach cantata from another. Today more people know at least some of the music of these great composers than knew it during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. We as music lovers today also have far greater and immediate access to this music, while those in former generations did not usually have such access. And, contrary to belief, the average person today has had more exposure to this great body of music than any other. Again, the ordinary man in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries did not have opportunity to know this music in detail. How many of Beethoven's Symphonies were heard by men and women of Beethoven's own time ? We are in fact more familiar with Beethoven or Bach's music than at any other time. It's an often overlooked fact that we today are the first generation who are actually able to hear this material.
You say
'the demand for classical music is facing a continuous fall'. I strongly disagree. Let me give two evidences that show the opposite. Here in the UK the single most popular radio station is 'Classic FM', a station which broadcasts exclusively classical music. The same is true in many other parts of the world. How is that fact explained ? A second example is found in music today in demand amongst the young. What of hugely successful concerts staged for young audiences of 'retro music' which is a revival of music dating from the 1960's, 1970's, 1980's etc - times when many listeners were not even born ? The average young person today likes music whether it was written in 1658 or in 2008. That is surely good news. Again, what of countless pop groups who are forever trying to return to the stage from the period where they were most successful ? It is clear the youth today are looking for something in music which they simply do not find in 'modern' pop music.
You are right that demand for classical music C.D.'s and pre-recorded music is in huge decline. But this is of course an issue of form. Demand for commercial C.D.'s is in decline generally for all kinds of music. Yet the demand for music itself is today as great as ever. As for concert going, its local success varies according to the prosperity of society, from decade to decade. But orchestras (unlike pop bands) often qualify for state and local subsidies because they are and have always been a part of the cultural/artistic history of our society. They can survive. In fact, their survival should be more guaranteed than the financing of armies and arms manufacturers.
Respect, knowledge and admiration of the young for classical music and for its composers has never been greater. But it needs skill to educate the young and to make them aware of what has been achieved.
To appreciate great music we must be prepared to pull out the plug of the TV. But that too is already happening and multiplication of poor quality television channels is turning many people off of television altogether.
I think great music (including classical music) is today in very good shape and will survive long after other music is gone and forgotten. As we already see from evidence of former times. How much popular music of the 19th century is still in demand today ? None at all. No music exists in such huge variety today as the great works of classical music. We must simply encourage this music to be listened to, to be respected, and to be learned. In our schools. It is, after all, some of the finest music ever written. (I also believe folk music should be part of a musical education).
How music can be made commercially viable and valued depends to a great extent on education. A person will not appreciate a great vintage wine if they've never tried ordinary wine. So, yes, I believe the youth should be musically educated at school and should be made aware there are works of art so great from all ages that they are worthy of being admired and listened to whether they like them or not. This alongside music of our own times.
Fusions and remixes are fine. But these are, in the end, mainly commercial. Our schools should teach pupils about originals.
The challenge, the requirement, (I would say the necessity) is to make this music available freely for everyone (i.e. without charge) since it is of course part of the cultural/artistic legacy of the entire human race. But that too is already happening. Lastly, the 'decline' of commercialism isn't really a threat to art or its appreciation though it viewed by some people as a threat to culture. Art transcends culture without antagonism.
Regards
Robert Newman
