How to increase (cultural) appreciation for classical music?

What is to be done about the cultural stigma attached to classical music, which exists even for many university students and beyond? For example I was talking to a friend the other day and he felt he wasn't "sophisticated enough" to listen to classical music... and this is someone who is about to graduate from a leading university.

To be honest I think the term "classical" itself needs to be dropped. It often carries a negative connotation at present and is used way too liberally. I mean Wikipedia describes it as "the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times." Come on, modern rock music is probably closer to Baroque music than is Gregorian chant for example.

ppl have different tastes; when they're not busy trying to emulate some sort of ideal they've got fixed in their head, they learn to appreciate good music, whatever that may be

Originally Posted by Exarch

ppl have different tastes; when they're not busy trying to emulate some sort of ideal they've got fixed in their head, they learn to appreciate good music, whatever that may be

It's not just that because many people dismiss classical music offhand as elitist, unpopular, only for the elderly, etc. Just look at around at popular media, classical music is more often than not associated with rich old white guys, general snobbishness, or in some cases lunacy...

It sounds like you are aspiring to some nonexistent, cultured standard. Just be yourself, enjoying classical music doesn't make you any more sophisticated or intelligent.

Originally Posted by Ancient Aliens

It sounds like you are aspiring to some nonexistent, cultured standard. Just be yourself, enjoying classical music doesn't make you any more sophisticated or intelligent.

I'm aspiring to dismantle a prominent cultural stereotype that discourages a valuable art form. I am not asking that everyone listen to classical music, but an objective recognition of its legitimacy.

By the way, didn't you read anything of what I wrote? Like how I'm venting against rampant association of classical music with sophistication? I thought I made that abundantly clear by my example in the OP.

Ah, you mean how to increase awareness and appreciation of classical music culturally, rather than individually. I have to ask why, though?

Originally Posted by Ancient Aliens

Ah, you mean how to increase awareness and appreciation of classical music culturally, rather than individually. I have to ask why, though?

For one reason, it is fiscally damaging to institutions which promote and host the arts (i.e. classical music in this context). No arts organizations= no arts being performed at all.

Originally Posted by Exarch

y'know, you have the choice of not being a stereotype

I'm guessing that's intended to be an insult or something? Stereotypes rarely have basis in reality. The association of classical music to elitism is a regrettable remnant from the era of aristocracies.

Originally Posted by Hilarion

I'm guessing that's intended to be an insult or something? Stereotypes rarely have basis in reality. The association of classical music to elitism is a regrettable remnant from the era of aristocracies.

no, it wasn't an insult; i was just saying that liking a particular sort of music doesnt make you any sort of person.

ex navy SEAL, and founder of SEAL team 6, Richard Marcinko for instance once wrote in his novels of liking Beethoven, Bach and Louis Armstrong.
Personally i have an eclectic taste in music, from rock to hip hop to classical music, but i actually prefer Romantic period music. i dont even mind Cannibal Corpse sometimes. japanese funk, sounds alright to me but i can't stand the Sick Puppies even though friends of mine like it.

now it's true that going to the opera or concerts is a pretty pretentious affair, having to dress up and whatnot but that's part of the thrill of it all IMHO

Originally Posted by Exarch

now it's true that going to the opera or concerts is a pretty pretentious affair, having to dress up and whatnot but that's part of the thrill of it all IMHO

Wearing nice clothes is a sign of respect for the musicians, however I agree that the wall separating the performers and audience is somewhat pretentious and should be slightly broken down. Concerts used to be an interactive event for the audience, for example expressing approval or enthusiasm during the performance, now it's "You have to sit in your seat and not make any sounds or sudden movements until the very end!"

Originally Posted by Hilarion

Wearing nice clothes is a sign of respect for the musicians, however I agree that the wall separating the performers and audience is somewhat pretentious and should be slightly broken down. Concerts used to be an interactive event for the audience, for example expressing approval or enthusiasm during the performance, now it's "You have to sit in your seat and not make any sounds or sudden movements until the very end!"

i dont think the ushers will prevent u from entering if u were wearing shorts, it's not like a nightclub, but i can guarantee other concertgoers will look down their snooty noses if u didn't dress up

pretentious yes, but that's life. some parts of the world are like that; like some restaurants in san diego who wont let u in if ur not wearing shoes or wearing pants-like if ur wearing shorts and sandals. annoying yes, but its life

y'know, you have the choice of not being a stereotype

The main problem of classical music is that it's exhausting to listen to. The composition is very, very intricate, very busy, rarely lighthearted, often very loud etc. It's impossible for me to appreciate it beyond it being a whole load of noise that tries too hard. But that doesn't mean people don't like orchestral music: composers like Hans Zimmer and Steve Jablonsky are very popular right now, and even in video games a lot of people know the names Jack Wall or Michael McCann. This is music that people do love, and while it's not classical music in the strictest sense, it does go far beyond ordinary pop music.

Originally Posted by The Dude

The main problem of classical music is that it's exhausting to listen to. The composition is very, very intricate, very busy, rarely lighthearted, often very loud etc. It's impossible for me to appreciate it beyond it being a whole load of noise that tries too hard. But that doesn't mean people don't like orchestral music: composers like Hans Zimmer and Steve Jablonsky are very popular right now, and even in video games a lot of people know the names Jack Wall or Michael McCann. This is music that people do love, and while it's not classical music in the strictest sense, it does go far beyond ordinary pop music.

Although I understand what you're saying, I have to disagree. Classical music being "exhausting" because it's "busy" doesn't apply to all classical music. As RubiconDecision mentioned, not all music that is considered classical is the same, nor is in the Classical period either. I can understand someone not being able to appreciate some of the 20th century composers like Stravinsky or Shostakovich, or even composers such as Berlioz. However, at the same time it's my belief that classical music is the most accessible to the human soul than any other. For me, Disney's Fantasia really affected me as a child and I don't think I've met anyone who doesn't like the movie and therefore the music.

I think it has a lot to do with what you grow up with. I didn't necessarily grow up with classical music but I was exposed to it pretty often.

How to increase appreciation for classical music?
Musical Education is the answer but there will be always the personal taste which will affect the preference.

Listeners need to be in a receptive state of mind, and introduced to the works, or snippets in an interesting way.

British Airways commercial using the Lakme Flower duet was one, and a historical documentary where a scene with the presenter explaining the situation during the eighteenth century, with Handel's Water Music/Hornpipe playing in the background is another.

I'm listening to a baroque concert I recorded while in Vienna a few months ago (I work part-time for a local wine/night club), I am currently wearing a top-hat (it's holloween, shut-up), I'm hanging out with a Parisian animator and a Muscovite ballet instructor and I'm painting this:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Who says stereotypes don't exist?

To answer the OP's question: travel to Vienna, that'll inspire an objective appreciation. It seems cultural centers in mainland europe do have an appropriate appreciation mostly due to their history, interaction with these places can only increase appreciation on an individual level at first and eventually on a societal level.
I feel this form of music is generally under-appreciated because of the effort required, it's easy to appreciate a song with words that holds the listeners hand: explaining the significant themes in the piece, in classical music a sensitivity is required and/or pre-existing knowledge of music theory, history and the composer in question. Plebs have always eschewed such attributes, now is the first time in history when the masses legitimately have the opportunity to travel easily and to learn and see online, radio, television etc.

Classical music does not transform well onto recordings (I generally only listen to recordings I make myself which I would liken to looking at photographs: a momento/reminder rather than a re-experience of the event) one really has to experience it live, amateur orchestras in the local church or community center are all very well up to a point (they can be great actually) eventually you'll want/crave the spine tingling, scrotum stretching, heart-stopping grandeur of the Leipzig Gewandhaus orchestra or the Czech Philharmonic, or Orchestre de la Suisse Romande.

Originally Posted by Himster

I'm listening to a baroque concert I recorded while in Vienna a few months ago (I work part-time for a local wine/night club), I am currently wearing a top-hat (it's holloween, shut-up), I'm hanging out with a Parisian animator and a Muscovite ballet instructor and I'm painting this:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Nice (to all the above)!

Originally Posted by Himster

To answer the OP's question: travel to Vienna, that'll inspire an objective appreciation. It seems cultural centers in mainland europe do have an appropriate appreciation mostly due to their history, interaction with these places can only increase appreciation on an individual level at first and eventually on a societal level.
I feel this form of music is generally under-appreciated because of the effort required, it's easy to appreciate a song with words that holds the listeners hand: explaining the significant themes in the piece, in classical music a sensitivity is required and/or pre-existing knowledge of music theory, history and the composer in question. Plebs have always eschewed such attributes, now is the first time in history when the masses legitimately have the opportunity to travel easily and to learn and see online, radio, television etc.

Classical music does not transform well onto recordings (I generally only listen to recordings I make myself which I would liken to looking at photographs: a momento/reminder rather than a re-experience of the event) one really has to experience it live, amateur orchestras in the local church or community center are all very well up to a point (they can be great actually) eventually you'll want/crave the spine tingling, scrotum stretching, heart-stopping grandeur of the Leipzig Gewandhaus orchestra or the Czech Philharmonic, or Orchestre de la Suisse Romande.

I live in a pretty culturally vibrant college town and am actually interning for the organization which presents the concerts. Our upcoming performances include the London Phil, Philip Glass, Joshua Bell & Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Wynton Marsalis, the Tallis Scholars, and the Chamber Ensemble of the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra. John Malkovich came a couple weeks ago to perform a strange theater/opera hybrid. So obviously there is a lot to appreciate just where I live, although I would like to visit Vienna at some point.

Speaking of Baroque though, the first concert I saw here was Jordi Savall and his rendition of Mexican Baroque music.

Originally Posted by Hilarion

Nice (to all the above)!


I live in a pretty culturally vibrant college town and am actually interning for the organization which presents the concerts. Our upcoming performances include the London Phil, Philip Glass, Joshua Bell & Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Wynton Marsalis, the Tallis Scholars, and the Chamber Ensemble of the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra. John Malkovich came a couple weeks ago to perform a strange theater/opera hybrid. So obviously there is a lot to appreciate just where I live, although I would like to visit Vienna at some point.

Speaking of Baroque though, the first concert I saw here was Jordi Savall and his rendition of Mexican Baroque music.

you are incredibly lucky
i would love to go to a philip glass recital

Originally Posted by Exarch

you are incredibly lucky
i would love to go to a philip glass recital

Yeah, last season he came with the Venice Baroque Orchestra and they played his "American Four Seasons." This season he's presenting his opera "Einstein on the Beach," which from what I've heard is over 5 hours long, but the audience can enter or leave freely.