Some cynics might claim that classical music is dying and relegated to a shadowy existence far behind pop, electronic, hip-hop, and rock. However, the dominance of popular music genres, clearly evident in media coverage, on the internet, and on social networks, by no means signifies that the love for classical music is fading.
Even though classical music is no longer quite as much in the spotlight and at the center of society as it was in the 18th and 19th centuries, the passion for the classical genre remains unbroken for millions of people.
Perhaps the downward trend is merely a facade for his actual popularity in the background, which will ultimately revive and lead to more attention from the general public.
What is it that actually distinguishes classical music and makes it so appealing?
What is it that actually distinguishes classical music and makes it so appealing? Photo by Rajesh Kavasseri @saveri, Unsplash
The classical era, which roughly encompasses the second half of the 18th century and the first decades of the following century, is one of the most significant periods in the development of orchestration.
The most important composers of this period were Mozart and Haydn . Many significant developments took place during this era, which still shape and influence the musical world of numerous modern genres.
The orchestra was standardized during the Classical period. From then on, the classical orchestra consisted of strings (first and second violins, viola, cellos and double bass), two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, two or four horns, two trumpets and two timpani.
In the Military Symphony (No. 100), Haydn introduced some percussion instruments that were not normally used in the orchestras of that time, namely the triangle, hand cymbal and bass drum (a precursor to the bass drum in techno and electronic music).
A classical orchestra. Photo by Manuel Nägeli @gwundrig, Unsplash
Mozart, too, was responsible for enormous advances in the creative use of instruments. His last two symphonies (Nos. 40, K. 550 and 41, K. 551) are among the most beautifully orchestrated works of all time. For his 17 piano concertos, Mozart devoted considerable attention to the combination of piano and orchestra.
The influence of classical music to this day…
The Classical period didn't simply end after the 1830s; its influence continues to this day. As one of the earliest musical eras, it formed the basis for many future genres.
Musical terms like symphony, concerto , and sonata arose when composers explored similar versions of a song's structure. A particular section from the Classical era, now found in virtually every piece of music, is the chorus, the short melody that repeats within a song.
It's usually the part of a song we remember most, making the chorus one of the most fundamental building blocks of modern music. But the influence of classical music doesn't stop at structure. Many elements used by famous artists like Adele and Lady Gaga come from patterns discovered or created music history
The Baroque and Romantic periods are exemplary eras from which well-known themes are incorporated Bad Romance (-> by Johann Sebastian Bach) and Barry Manilow's Could It Be Magic
Artists live on inspiration, and it is no surprise that some of them look to the greats of the past to create new ideas and themes.
Classical music is here to stay
So we can see that classical music – besides existing as its own genre – is also preserved in modern music.
Like any other musical form, classical music is subject to constant change. It is continually evolving and certainly follows societal trends, changing conventions, and evolving etiquette.
Anyone who still goes to a large, classical concert will not be able to escape the unbroken pull of virtuosity, technical performance, emotional intensity and improvisational talent.
Passion, the kind only classical music can unleash:
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Should one learn a classical instrument?
Passion for a classical instrument. Photo by Alexander Krivitskiy @krivitskiy, Unsplash
Are you one of those people who are not satisfied with simply passively enjoying something? Instead, you want to actively immerse yourself in this artistic world through your own actions.
Then learning a classical instrument is the obvious choice.
Now, at first glance it might not seem particularly appealing – especially if you're still a child, going through puberty, or are very involved with popular music. Secondly, it's much cooler and more practical to teach yourself an instrument using online tutorials and YouTube.
So why bother with traditional lessons or even enrolling in a special academy, school, or institution? Well, classical music is more than just being able to play a few pieces by Mozart and Beethoven.
This genre of music involves a very unique playing style that demands commitment, passion, and above all, discipline, patience, and years of dedication. It's best to find a suitable environment for this.
These famous personalities played a classical instrument
It is little known, but some of the most famous personalities in our history played or studied classical music.
Some were inspired by their passion for music to make great inventions, while for others their musical training proved very useful in later careers. This impressively demonstrates the rewarding effects of playing a classical instrument.
Albert Einstein
Einstein developed one of the pillars of modern physics with his theory of relativity. However, many people don't know that he was also an accomplished violinist. According to his own statements, he would have become a musician had he not pursued a career in science.
His wife once recounted that he enjoyed sitting at the piano and playing while taking scientific notes. What a fruitful combination!
Charlie Chaplin
The legendary comedian and actor Charlie Chaplin was also an accomplished musician and wrote the music for many of his films himself. Even as a child, he was passionate about music and taught himself to play the piano, violin, and cello.
An interesting side note: Chaplin couldn't read music and worked with professional composers to create his scores.
Three songs he composed for the film also enjoyed success beyond the film itself. Among them was a hit by Nat King Cole.
Alexander Graham Bell
We can Alexander Graham Bell for inventing the telephone. When he wasn't busy tinkering, he pursued his passion as a pianist. His original plan was to become a musician.
Bell's passion for music may have helped him on the path to his historic invention. Even at a young age, he was able to observe how sounds were transmitted through the air and could cause distant objects to vibrate.
Neil Armstrong
Astronaut Neil Armstrong was also a lifelong musician. His mother was a pianist and taught him to play at an early age. Later, he took up the baritone horn in a school band. He also played in military bands.
Meryl Streep
It is equally unknown to the general public that three-time Oscar winner Meryl Streep studied opera as a teenager. Apparently, arias couldn't hold her interest for long, so she quit in boredom.
Her brief stay at the opera may have prepared her for her role in the film Florence Foster Jenkins.
Streep also learned to play the violin for the film Music of the Heart, which told the story of the real-life character Robert Guaspari, a violin teacher who taught disadvantaged children and fought for music education in New York public schools.
Condoleezza Rice
Political scientist, diplomat and former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice originally aimed for a career as a concert pianist.
She impressively played Mozart's Piano Concerto in D minor with the Denver Symphony Orchestra at the tender age of 15.
As an adult, she performed at diplomatic events, including for Queen Elizabeth II, and with cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
Emily Blunt
Actress Emily Blunt has portrayed a wide variety of characters – from Queen Victoria to an FBI agent. Few people know that she also studied cello in her youth.
In one of her earliest films, My Summer of Love, she played "The Swan" from Camille Saint-Saëns' Carnival of the Animals on screen.
Wonderful classical music for your instrument
Do you already play music, or are you perhaps even a music teacher? Then I don't need to elaborate on the many benefits of playing a classical instrument for mind and soul. You have certainly already experienced them firsthand.
During musical training or studies, one often encounters a basic repertoire of musical pieces, composers, and learns the usual musical notation.
There's nothing wrong with that. This selection is based on decades of experience, pedagogical considerations, and proven curricula. At the same time, trained musicians can build on a common foundation.
If you have already completed your training or would like to broaden your horizons and try new things during your studies, the question quickly arises as to a suitable source of inspiration for new notes, musical pieces and works that not only take into account your needs, your individual taste and current level of knowledge, but have also been specially prepared by successful and established musicians.
The internet is admittedly a virtually inexhaustible source of information. However, with such a vast amount of information, it's easy to lose track, and the quality of the material found often leaves much to be desired. This can be a frustrating waste of time and quickly lead to frustration.
This situation also seemed unacceptable to the founders of AURIO. As a unique inspiration service for classical musicians, it delivers your favorite pieces of music perfectly tailored to your instrument – in a fast, uncomplicated and convenient way.
AURIO – Discover wonderful music for your instrument
The following instruments are covered:
Piano
clarinet
flute
Available eras :
Classical
Romanticism
Late Romanticism
impressionism
Modern
The sheet music editions were prepared with great care and expertise by successful musicians such as Yaara Tal, Maximilian Hornung, Michael Korstick, Nicolas Altstaedt and Nicolai Pfeffer .
With AURIO, musicians are spared the tedious and often discouraging search for suitable works and can fully concentrate on what brings the most joy: playing their own instrument.
Through the service of aurio-verlag.de, registered musicians regularly receive selected masterpieces of classical music, which are geared towards their respective playing level and skill and aim to help them develop their musical abilities in a playful way.
A tailored service is also offered for music teachers and music schools to make the development of young talent more engaging, varied, exciting, and successful. The budding young Mozarts will thank you!
The AURIO team's boundless passion for classical music is clearly evident. Therefore, we wholeheartedly recommend them and wish them all the best for the future 🙂
Owner and Managing Director of Kunstplaza. Journalist, editor, and passionate blogger in the field of art, design, and creativity since 2011. Successful completion of a degree in web design as part of a university study (2008). Further development of creativity techniques through courses in free drawing, expressive painting, and theatre/acting. Profound knowledge of the art market through years of journalistic research and numerous collaborations with actors/institutions from art and culture.
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