Classical music is one of the oldest forms of written music and one of the most complex music genres as well.
It was founded in the rites of both religious and secular music beginning in the early 6th century with mensural notation and later moving to bar notation.
Classical music can range from Gregorian chants to symphonies to the most Avant Garde types of music you can think of.
In addition, the listener has opera and choral styles to listen to as well.
This music is diverse, complex and the fact that it has been written down from the beginning defines its genre.
Who is Classical Music for?
Classical music is for everyone.
It is for those looking to listen to love songs, symphony’s, choral music, opera and wonderful renditions of music outside the realm of the norm.
It is a genre of music that is deep and full of different styles and subgenres.
Classical music can ignite a passionate response to a piece or maybe it will soothe your nerves.
It can be beautiful, complicated and smooth all at once.
Some of it a listener will love and others they might hate but that is the same as any genre.
There is no need to love it all.
Just because it has been deemed a masterpiece doesn’t mean the listener must like it.
There is enough depth to the genre so there is something for everyone.
Classical music is for those with and without musical knowledge and background.
It doesn’t take training to hear the complexities of a selection and appreciate the detail in the music.
If the listener is just starting out listening, then they should try various types of it.
Try radio programs or go to a symphony to experience it live.
Try listening to opera, choral or simply symphonic pieces to see which you enjoy best or may you like all of it.
It is easy to find both on the radio and various music streaming services.
For those who may enjoy classical music, you can do a little bit of reading on composers and sounds.
Each composer while following the rules of classical music will have their own style and preferences.
There are composers like Mozart and Beethoven who are recognizable by style.
Mozart is said to sometimes have “too many notes” in his music but that is exactly why so many loves his style of composition.
As someone begins to listen to this genre, they will begin to hear harmony, differing keys and key changes, different preferences for instruments and more.
The music can be a lesson in itself.
It is not only the composers that will draw a person into classical music but the performers.
If you are someone who enjoys live performances, then classical music may be for you.
There are some wonderful instrumentalists, pianists and soloists who have a great personality as well as musicianship on stage.
The strength of live classical music will be felt in all the listener’s senses when it is played well.
You do not have to be classically trained to appreciate a performance and those who play.
The other plus of classical music is the possible creation of a social circle.
If you are someone who is looking to meet with others of the same mindset, you may find that at the symphony, opera or another classical event.
There are groups that travel together to see live performances and others who meet after to talk and assess the show.
There classical music societies that will allow someone to learn and expand their classical horizons.
For those who are interested in classical music, don’t let the stereotype fool you.
It is not only for highly educated musicians to enjoy.
You don’t have to have a lot of money for a good sound system or earphones to listen to the classics and while some concerts can be pricey, there are many you can find that are free.
Classical musicians want people to enjoy the music and become patrons to their art.
They want young children and older adults to have access to music and its experience as they would with other genres.
While many think that classical music is not their cup of tea, they often haven’t tried to listen and understand it to any extent.
There is a false narrative that makes them think that it is for the rich, the classically trained or those who are seemingly more elite.
However, it is for everyone.
It is a rich, cultural genre that can be enjoyed by all.
If someone simply wants to listen and enjoy then they can.
If they want to learn and understand the music that is great too.
There is no pre-set group of people that should be listening to classical music.
If someone loves live performances, appreciates musicianship, enjoys beautiful sound or eclectic art then classical music has something for them as much as it holds pleasure for the musically trained.
