Old is Gold
- Lyra
- Jun 29, 2024
- 4 min read
Have you ever heard the saying “old is gold”? It means that sometimes past events can be the most valuable. You can take that in various directions. The old ways laid a foundation for modern ones, making them crucial for us to remember. Or they represent the history of what we have and who we are today, which makes them prized. To someone whose entire background surrounds music, the saying has always reminded me that classical music is just as important and artful as modern pop is. Maybe even more in some ways!
Welcome back to another blog entry! This week, I’m bringing the beautiful world of classical music back into the light. But, since it is the 21st century, pop music reigns supreme around most of the world, and for good reason! They’re catchy and trendy and can bring people together in amazing ways! What’s not to like? But as we advance in the modern pop era, we’re beginning to forget exactly where the music came from!
Classical music has grown to be a little... unpopular in recent years (that’s me trying to put it lightly). Maybe it’s because of the many misconceptions it has. It is time I talk about these top three “theories” that people have about classical music, and (hopefully) put them to rest. It's time to strap in, I guess!
“Classical music is so boring! Why do you waste your time listening to it?”
This is the most common comment I’ve gotten in the fifteen years I’ve been on this planet. I’m sure everyone (and I mean everyone) has thought this before. So let me explain a few things. The word “boring” means to be dull or tedious. For one thing, classical music is anything but that. There are many varieties of music, like symphonies, concertos, quartets, quintets, and many more. The orchestrations are complex, having many melodies and harmonies that interweave into each other. If you’re a visual learner, like me, look at the pop and classical sheet music below...
Contemporary music is known for its storytelling ability. But classical music not only tells the stories, but it brings them to life! Even without words, each note creates a new, hidden emotion. Think of it as a game – every time you hear a new phrase, guess why the composer might’ve wanted to add that (it sounds hard and tiring but it’s fun to play with your friends, especially when you can prove them wrong)! I can tell you that I’m not very good at it, but I still like to try, even if I might get destroyed.
“Classical music is for rich, old people. If you listen to it, you give the impression that you’re better than everyone else.”
This might be why people think that classical music is “boring”. To start, classical music is for everyone who appreciates the art. There is no limit or age range to listen to classical music. But why is this even called an assumption? Orchestral music and orchestral versions of music have grown very popular. If you listen to orchestral pieces, do you “give the impression that you’re better than everyone else?”
If that doesn’t make you question this, look at it this way: imagine a piece of gorgeous jewelry. You wanted to wear it immediately; would you care if it was from 1828? What about the 1900s? 2000s?
Like I said in one of my previous entries (Social Pressure), people should be able to choose their interests and likings. At this point, narrow-minded “theories” about things, like classical music, are becoming so redundant that they are almost direct facts instead of shallow stereotypes.
Well, let’s make one thing straight. Enjoyment is subjective. You may or may not like a song that your friends like. That individuality defines who you are - not by the music you listen to, but by how you defend your interests.
Let’s back up. Classical music is for everyone, not just musicians and “rich, old people”. If everyone tries to give it a chance, I’m sure these theories can be blown out of the water. Besides, the only way to try something is to try it first. So, even if you’re adamant about sticking to a certain genre of music, that’s fine - don’t make the other genres seem degrading.
“Classical music is only good for sleeping, working, or meditating. It's useless otherwise.”
This isn’t entirely true. While it is a fact that some classical music can have a lulling effect, there are different types of orchestral music, and they are not something you can sleep to or work calmly to (trust me). Let’s take Taylor Swift, for example. Her music is divided into eleven different eras, and each one is different. You might listen to Lover during one period and Reputation during another. They both set completely different moods. It’s the same with classical music. There’s a Baroque, Classical, and Romantic period. Each period sets a unique perspective and mood.
Of course, there’s more to each period other than they “[set] a unique... mood”. Baroque music is intricate and regal, and it was known (relatively) locally. This era included Vivaldi and Bach as one of the composers. Classical music is known to be more modern and long when compared to the Baroque era. It popularized classical music, making it known across the world. It was the period of the infamous Ludwig van Beethoven and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart! The Romantic era was the most emotional and expressive of the three eras. It’s the most recent of the three eras. Two composers from that time were Eugene Ysaye and Felix Mendelssohn.
When everything is said and done, music is music. It’s a beautiful way to express feelings, stories, and warnings, even! It connects everyone, and even if we don’t realize it, it’s one of the only spaces where we feel safe and content. Whether it be R&B, pop, country, rap, or classical, it is all music. Nothing is better than another, and, to all the haters out there, classical music is cherished much more than you would think!
Let’s Put it To the Test!
Here's the part where you see exactly how different each classical era is! I’m going to challenge you to give a few pieces a listen! There are six pieces (two for each period) attached to this page. See if you can spot the differences in the style and orchestration in each. It’s not an easy challenge, but I dare you to give them all a chance by my next post! Are you up for it?
Baroque Period
Classical Period
Romantic Period
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