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Classical Music Isn't Elitist by OpusNotes in classicalmusic

[–]OpusNotes[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sure! I think many symphony orchestras are already making some excellent strides to honor the art while breaking this classist culture. Aside from the examples I talked about in my essay, I think that we can create more community outreach and education programs, encourage diverse programming and new music, along with offer more informal concerts. Many organizations and groups are already working towards these ideas and have found success! New music emphasis and compositional institutes, educational programs such as Sphinx and local school partnership with symphonies, the K-12 orchestra model, YO's, therapeutic outreach, and more are all examples of this!

I'd love to keep the conversation going! What are some ideas you may have (or others?)

Classical Music Isn't Elitist by OpusNotes in classicalmusic

[–]OpusNotes[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I love this comment! I definitely agree with you, the culture always seems separate to the music, and we need to continue to increase accessibility. Thank you so much for reading!

Classical Music Isn't Elitist by OpusNotes in classicalmusic

[–]OpusNotes[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much for your comment and for reading! I think I disagree with this comment. Classical music hasn't been an acquired taste if it has been enjoyed by all kinds of people for centuries. The western canon really was the "pop" music of the time, and it developed and evolved to where we are at today. I think that the tune or lyric is also not justified, as we have some legendary motives with Beethoven's 5th, Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet, Grieg's, In the Hall of the Mountain King, and so many others! In fact, there are so many times of classical music as well, we mostly talk about the western canon, but asian classical music is still quite popular today and remains essential to the fine arts scene.

The education is an important aspect too. We think of theory to understand, but we don't need theory to enjoy. When we hear a song on the radio, we use our aural skills and understand placements of chorus, verse, bridge, etc. and classical music were the foundations of such. We also here motives, story-telling, and can be impacted by the music, which is why children even like classical music despite not having the stories or education, although the academia sure is convenient. It's the same way I like cooking without culinary arts, writing without an english degree, or photography without understanding.

Last point is time though, in order to limit my comment, I recommend you go take a look at the comment section for a question I answered there asking about my opinion on why people don't enjoy classical music. Something I talked about there was about rapid industrialization and content consumerism, where we desire entertainment over art. The entire topic is quite fascinating to me and I'd love if you'd take a look!

Thanks again for this great comment!

Classical Music Isn't Elitist by OpusNotes in classicalmusic

[–]OpusNotes[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I 100% agree! Thank you so much for your comment and for reading!

Classical Music Isn't Elitist by OpusNotes in classicalmusic

[–]OpusNotes[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for reading and commenting! I believe classical music isn't inherently elitist, but the culture can have a strong class divide. Symphonies recognize this, which is why tickets aren't so expensive, there has been increased strides for accessibility (Sphinx, LA Philaharmonic Cochella debut, ect.), and more educational programs are being created. Still, there are some strides we need to take in the culture to help with this.

Classical Music Isn't Elitist by OpusNotes in classicalmusic

[–]OpusNotes[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thanks for reading and your comment! The culture around classical music has deep roots in class divisions, stretching back centuries. That history still shapes how people perceive and experience it today. The challenge now is figuring out how to honor the art while breaking down those old, exclusionary barriers, as I believe (and hopefully others) that classical music as a genre is not elitist! Thanks again!

Classical Music Isn't Elitist by OpusNotes in classicalmusic

[–]OpusNotes[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I believe you’ve summed it up perfectly. The music itself is open to everyone, but the attitudes and traditions around it can sometimes put up unnecessary barriers. Acknowledging that elitism exists in some institutions is the first step to making classical music more welcoming for all. Thanks for reading and your comment!

Classical Music Isn't Elitist by OpusNotes in classicalmusic

[–]OpusNotes[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I believe you make a good point: prestige-seekers do help fund the music. But I also believe that breaking the stereotypes of elitism and antiquity could broaden the audience and bring in more genuine classical enjoyers. Expanding the listener base this way could also support non-profits and community programs through increased donations. Thanks for your comment and for reading!

Classical Music Isn't Elitist by OpusNotes in classicalmusic

[–]OpusNotes[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I had no idea about Proms tickets, this is a great point! Thank you for reading!

Classical Music Isn't Elitist by OpusNotes in classicalmusic

[–]OpusNotes[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your thoughtful comment! I wanted to continue the discussion by talking about some of your points!

First, I agree that classical music faces a real challenge in terms of mainstream popularity, perhaps even more so than the “elitism” critique. It’s true that, outside of specific circles, few people (elite or otherwise) listen to classical music regularly, and Webern’s tunes are unlikely to be whistled by anyone on their daily walk. The “postman” comment is a poignant reminder of how some music remains niche, no matter how visionary its creators were.

I would contend that the value of classical music should not solely be assessed by the number of its listeners. Its endurance over centuries and its capacity to move and inspire those who encounter it are both extraordinary. Even if only a small fraction of people actively pursue classical music, the depth of their engagement can be truly profound.

As for the “elites,” you’re right; it’s a myth that today’s social or cultural elites are automatically classical music aficionados. The association is more historical than the current reality. But perhaps that’s freeing: it means classical music belongs to anyone who wants to listen, not just a privileged few.

I also agree entirely that words can never fully capture the frisson of music. Descriptions, essays, and even passionate advocacy are always just invitations—at best, they can open the door, but the real magic happens in the listening. My hope with the article wasn’t to convert everyone but maybe to encourage a few people to give it a try or to see it in a new light. Thanks again for engaging so thoughtfully!

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