Why do you listen to classical music ?

i wanted to expand my musical interests -- and then my daughter started playing in the county orchestra and i became even more interested. i often listen to radio 3 because of its apparent higher quality. dont know that much about this type of music, though i have picked up some really interesting CDs. i am more in jazz, i guess -- but looking at my CD collection, there is a lot of other odd stuf there...

enjoy
ken

We all listen to music for different reasons but mainly; I think the common element among us all is probably that we listen to derive some sort of enjoyment or emotional pleasure.  We want it to match our mood or be used as a means to get us in a certain mood.  We use it to represent who we are and what we stand for.  The type of music we listen to though, for some reason, often leads to divisions or rifts among us.  Classical music seems to get the short end of the stick when it comes to respect, in my humble opinion.  Many stereotypes abound and just the mention of “classical music” in many circles gets immediate negative reaction and a general thrashing.

I have tried and like many forms of music but I tend to be drawn mostly to classical music.  This is true for me because it most likely just suits my personality and nature best; it should in no way be construed as a value statement or judgment against any other forms of music.

So why do I listen to classical music?  Sometimes I wonder whether I chose it or it chose me?  All the odds were against me finding an affinity to any music, let alone classical, while growing up.  I never really had a guide or a mentor but maybe, in my case, this wasn’t a bad thing.  My interest came naturally and it was a result of my own search rather than a result of it being pushed on me.  No one ever told me that I had to like it or even should.  I liked it despite the fact that as a youngster I knew I couldn’t really talk about it openly with most people.  The same is true today.

To be sure though, I’m not, in a broad sense, hooked on ALL classical music just as I do not like all jazz, rock, or folk etc.  My natural personality is very particular and tends towards very specific genres and styles of classical music; but namely, to solo works, chamber works, and concertos.  Probably 95% of my time and energy is so consumed with the wealth contained in this group.  I won’t ever live long enough to satisfy all my longings in music so for my own good I have to limit my focus.

So this leads to the other big question I have asked myself many times and that is to whether I would have grown into such a passionate listener had I not had an interest in playing the music (or instruments) myself.  Somehow, I doubt it.  I may have listened avidly to music in some form or other but it certainly would be different and probably not ‘classical’ and I know I wouldn’t listen in quite the same way.  I started playing piano as a 3 year old and so I came to music first without the benefit of listening to recordings.  When I started listening to my own records from about 8 years old and on it did help open my ears but the hierarchy was always playing first and listening second.  Simply put, if I had to choose, I would rather only play. 

So this is a good question for me.  It has caused me to think about the “why” and very honestly, I’m not sure I could ever find the right words to explain it.  It is what it is.  I’m not satisfied that I have come close to answering this but the following is just a brainstorming session to list a few possible reasons. 

• I like Western Art Music.  The European music created by the great masters up to the mid 20^th century largely represents a time in history that I find the most fascinating.  This extends to art, literature, architecture, science and so on.  Through the different periods, the best and greatest composers always had something special and meaningful to say and it is my opinion that mankind reached a pinnacle in music during this time.

• I like the structure and the complexity. It is the format that speaks most naturally to me. It is a challenge to work at in understanding it and takes a lot of perseverance.

• I like to marvel at creations that didn’t happen very easily or by chance.  There is blood, sweat, and tears at the base of most classical music.  It speaks to me in ways that words could never manage to.  In an odd way I listen to and play this music out of respect and acknowledgement for the people who created these works of art.

• I like knowing that I can in some way connect with these great composers of the past and realize that though hundreds of years may separate us that we all share the same basic human emotions.

• I like the ability to continually search for musical understanding within music.  This music allows me to do this.

• I like acoustic instruments and the human voice; there is nothing more beautiful.

• I like the fact that this music is open to interpretation.  There is not one way only to do things.

• I like the fact that this music creates the atmosphere I like to be in throughout my day.  This can range from background music when I’m doing mundane things like cleaning the house or cooking or reading a book to the other end where I’m in a serious listening sessions focused only on the music.

• I like the fact that when I’m too tired to play, practice, or do it myself that I can put up my feet and just enjoy or that I can use it for study purposes.   I may listen to try and understand the nuts and bolts of it.  I mostly listen though to learn and get inspired or motivated.

• I like the keys and modes of classical music; especially the minor keys.  No other form of music really uses these much or effectively.

In simple terms, I guess it is a relationship for me; one that will never let me down (like in human terms) and one in which the harder I work at it and the more I pour of yourself in to it or invest in, the more I have receive back from it in return.  That is why I listen to Classical music.

Best Regards,