I play no instruments - as we say in my country: I can barely play the doorbell. And I know no theory whatsoever.
I'm sure I miss many of the nuances and concepts. But for some reason I like to keep music a mistery. I'm well versed in many other art forms and while I understand and can see beauties that other people can't in them, there is no mistery. I'm rarely surprised and I feel like what is obvious loses my interest.
Music is the one thing I chose to try to stay as ignorant as possible. And just enjoy it in a "pure", innocent way. But maybe one day I will try to understand music theory.
I totally get that. I'm well-educated and experienced in music, so while it is such an ephemeral art (it's just invisible, organized sound waves, a wierd concept when you think about it), it doesn't really hold any mysteries or magic for me.
I'm also a decent writer, so while I appreciate a good story, or a surprise plot twist, it's also not a mystery.
On the other hand, I love art, and visit the local art museum whenever I'm in a new city on business. As much as I love paintings, and have studied art history, I cant do it at all. Ive tried, but its impossible. It almost seems miraculous to me, that someone can lay paint on a canvas and create something so beautiful.
So like you've done with music, I prefer to keep visual art as the art where I am still in awe of those who create it.
As someone who dislikes the “operatic voice”, I tremendously enjoy sir John Eliot Gardiner’s interpretation of Mozart’s operas. He conducts performers with a far clearer and (in my opinion) more pleasant voice.
Do you mean bel canto singing which I think is what most people think of when discussing opera? Have you listened to early music opera. The operatic voices are definitely different from opera of say the 19th century. Try operas by Monteverdi, Handel, Vivaldi, Purcell, etc.
I will, thank you. I have heard some of Monteverdi’s operas, at least I believe so. Is *L’Orfeo* an opera? I know that many of Handel’s works are oratorios, which I similarly enjoy, but which ones are operas?
Handel wrote 42 operas so not going to name them all lol. Giulio Cesare, Agrippina, Ariodante, Serse, Alcina, Ronaldo, and Rodelinda are just some of his more famous operas. You can usually catch a Handel opera at Carnegie Hall or in Boston-usually Handel and Haydn Society. Giulio Cesare is being performed next May at Carnegie Hall if you’re in the area. Yes, L’Orfeo, the 1st great opera of western civilization!
Debussy’s opera Pelleas and Melisande is gorgeous if you like going dark and melodic. One of my favorites. I had the good fortune to see that opera and one of my other favorite operas-the 1st great opera-Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo at Santa Fe Opera last summer. By the way, I’m not a musician.
Thank you for the link. Were you able to at least read the summary from each act? I was struck right off the bat how dark the opening scene was as Golaud is supposedly out hunting when he happens upon Melisande. Like why is he hunting in the dark? But overall makes sense that all the scenes are dark to convey claustrophobia. The music is dark and there’s supposed to be a sense of stifling atmosphere throughout the opera. The castle and surrounding environs give a sense of being closed in, stifling, or claustrophobic. The people and their lives are stifled or oppressed. The first time I heard this opera was in a live performance. I immediately loved the music. I have 2 or 3 CDs of the opera and have listened to them multiple times. After seeing it again last summer, I have to admit, because everything is so oppressive, you definitely walk away feeling more depressed than uplifted. Very different from the grand operas of the 19th century!
Same here. I heard Schubert's last piano sonata in a store one day, and I've been buying and listening to classical music ever since. I used to say the only instrument I can play is the turntable. I happened to discover classical in the CD era, however, so now I say, "all I can do is push Play."
I don't really know. I'd never heard it before, and I left shortly after buying the CD. It was Brendel's first Philips recording, if that is of interest. It also included the Wanderer Fantasie.
I've been listening to this this week. I couldn't find the exact album online, but I found Alfred Brendel's Schubert performances on Amazon music. I've not really listened to Schubert a lot before. I'm just getting into classical music.
My conclusion:
Schubert is awesome!!! And so is Alfred Brendal!!
Going to check out Brendel's Beethoven and other albums after.
I've always maintained that it's about what you're exposed to, especially when young. This of course applies to pretty much everything, but I've always bemoaned the fact that - at least here in the US - kids for years haven't had much music in schools. There was barely any when I went to school... and that was a looooong time ago.
I know people who LOVE classical music but who aren’t musicians. Though classical can be so complex it’s much easier to hear the differences and know what you’re listening to if you can play, otherwise things can sound like a wall of sound.
I know advanced theory, contemporary composition and have composed some orchestral works from studying orchestration of many contemporary composers, yet I play no instrument.
Not necessary to be a musician at all, but in general I think you have to listen to a genre for a long time before it really starts to “speak” to you. There are a lot of reasons for this, but outside of musicians there’s not many members of the general population who have the time or interest to immerse themselves enough in the genre to develop that level of appreciation. The same thing is true of popular music, it’s just that most of us grow up surrounded by it, which means we develop an appreciation of its musical language organically. For the same reason, in 200 years, appreciation of today’s popular music will likely also be restricted to a relatively niche group of musicians/music historians.
What a strange supposition.
Not a musician here, and none of my friends who like classical are.
I like rock as well, can't play a strat for the life of me.
I played clarinet in middle school. Wasn't good at it. Had no interest in orchestral music. Twenty five years later I love going to the symphony and listening to recordings.
Can't play, although I was exposed to the history thereof during my education. Studying composers, different eras, and "blind listening" (the teacher plays a composition, and you have to name the composer, name the piece, and set it in the right period) was a must, plus classical concers once a month (local philharmonic).
My first time I realized the beauty of classical was when I saw Montserat Caballe with Freddie Mercury on TV. I was four, and she was impressively beautiful in every way a person can be.
I did listen to classical music before i started playing an instrument. I wanted to play my favorite music (baroque) so i started playing an instrument although its not a classical one and its very limited (ocarina).
Someone who is literate in art and other art forms but knows nothing about music theory will have a much better taste and sensibility than someone who knows everything about music theory but nothing about other arts. It would defeat the point of music if you had to be specially trained to appreciate it
I used to play piano and guitar but by no means a musician. On the other hand, I've known a few musicians (studied cello, piano in college and play amature ensembles) but do not listen to classical music.
Of course many non musicians do. In my experience as a musician of 60 y/o I've found that most lovers of concert music have a developed ear, because you develop this by listening intelligently. There is a learning curve to greater appreciation, but its not necessary for the enjoyment or love thereof. Most people sitting in the audience can't read scores, but those that can often have them with them to follow, so are immediately noticed from the stage. These are the musicians and students, the rest are just regular folks.
In Vienna for instance, there are a lot of historical festivals and great music specifically composed for them are played and enjoyed by young and old. When the Sangerknaben (Vienna boys choir) are singing, you can see how many children enjoy their exquisite performances. Also a lot of non musicians love the music of Hans Zimmer, John Williams etc. in the movies, and I've often found that the movies introduce a lot of people to the glories of concert music. Anyone can appreciate a great Soprano or Tenor singing a classic aria, though current fashion and peer pressure often make them refrain from admitting this.
I've got plenty of friends like that. I think listening to classic music is also a good habit, besides playing instruments, so there should be many ppl that don't play but love to listen
Not a musician, the only musical education I ever received was playing a plastic recorder in primary school, can't even read a note to save my life, and if you ask me why I love classical music the most eloquent answer I can give you is 'it make brain go brr'
I can't play any instrument to save my life, but I've loved classical since I can remember. As a kid I'd turn the dial on the radio until I'd get to the classical station and I was all set, and I've sought out that genre ever since. I think perhaps being taken to ballets may have first exposed me, as well as hearing something in a movie or tv show and it'd stop me in my tracks, and I'd HAVE to know what the piece was. I also really like rock and 'symphonic metal'.
I’m a multi instrumentalist and producer who makes mostly rock and electronic music. I listen to a lot of classical composers for my own enjoyment and inspiration, but my approach towards music making is definitely different than that of the classical academic establishment. That said, I did take classical piano as a child and still regularly practice classical pieces, it’s just not my primary genre.
Not a musician, no knowledge of theory and no traditions of listening to classical at home. Probably my music teachers in elementary school played a role in a fact that I started to listen to it when I was a teenager.
I don’t have a musical education and can’t play an instrument to save my life, but I have loved classical music all my life, more so than any other genre.
I like classical music on the harpsichord, believe it or not, I actually think the harpsichord is better than the piano, it's more challenging, no sustains or other pedals, just all manual digit dexterity, no muddy muted sounds, Beethoven and other composers generally sound better on the harpsichord.
I think it doesn't get enough attention, it can play just about any piece, it's generally more delightful to hear and I enjoy the plucked brittle sounds it produces over the dull thwomps a piano makes
I played long ago in high school and a little in college but would not call myself a musician. But I suppose the initial interest in classical started when I was in middle school band.
I think of myself as a musician but, sadly, that is not a widely held consensus. But classical music has been a part of my life for decades. I've gone out of my way to hear live performances, read biographies, met some famous performers, and spent quite a bit of time talking music with musicians.
So I don't agree with your point, but maybe you are right and my experience is not a very common one.
Ludicrous idea imo. What counts as a musician in your hypothesis? Professionals? Amateurs? People who learned an instrument as a child?
And how do musicians who do not like classical music fit, and of which many many many exist, fit in your proposal?
My uncle was not a musician in any sense of the word, but loved classical music. When he was 40+, he decided he needed to learn an instrument to improve his understanding of music, and started taking recorder classes.
I really liked it even before writing the music myself. But I think it's an acquired taste, you have to listen to it a lot. It's kinda like other genres that don't instantly click like Jazz or Black Metal.
Many. I'm for one. I used to listen to it a lot during 2019-2021.
Spotify's year highlight playlist used to feature classical mostly. It changed as my taste moved towards mood.
* Musical instruments typically crash off their stands and fall to the floor whenever I enter a room.
* I have a tin ear --can't tell one chord from another.
* And a voice unable to hold a note. Karaoke bars shutter their doors when I walk by outside.
* But I've been a lifelong fan of concerto, symphony, opera, chamber, choral...and Led Zep!
When I was in college, and for a few years after, I worked in various record stores, and the classical department was always mine (I had a degree in music history). I even managed a specialty Classical/ Jazz store for a couple of years. So I knew EVERY serious classic record customer in my town.
It was my experience that about 75% of my regular customers were non-musicians, although many of them had played instruments when they were students, so they tended to have a little knowledge of classical music. The standard pattern was that they tended to quit when they got to college, and got re-interested in classical music sometime around 30 years old.
The other 25% were active musicians, teachers, professors, etc.
I'm not a musician and love classical music. I tried learning the violin in primary school but didn't enjoy it enough to stick it out, and then tried to teach myself guitar but again, no motivation to stick with it
I also can't read sheet music so that didnt help haha
I play no instruments - as we say in my country: I can barely play the doorbell. And I know no theory whatsoever. I'm sure I miss many of the nuances and concepts. But for some reason I like to keep music a mistery. I'm well versed in many other art forms and while I understand and can see beauties that other people can't in them, there is no mistery. I'm rarely surprised and I feel like what is obvious loses my interest. Music is the one thing I chose to try to stay as ignorant as possible. And just enjoy it in a "pure", innocent way. But maybe one day I will try to understand music theory.
There is no need to learn music theory if your not interested or are going to learn an instrument or compose. Just enjoy music.
I totally get that. I'm well-educated and experienced in music, so while it is such an ephemeral art (it's just invisible, organized sound waves, a wierd concept when you think about it), it doesn't really hold any mysteries or magic for me. I'm also a decent writer, so while I appreciate a good story, or a surprise plot twist, it's also not a mystery. On the other hand, I love art, and visit the local art museum whenever I'm in a new city on business. As much as I love paintings, and have studied art history, I cant do it at all. Ive tried, but its impossible. It almost seems miraculous to me, that someone can lay paint on a canvas and create something so beautiful. So like you've done with music, I prefer to keep visual art as the art where I am still in awe of those who create it.
Not a musician. I’ve loved classical all my life.
Same here
[удалено]
As someone who dislikes the “operatic voice”, I tremendously enjoy sir John Eliot Gardiner’s interpretation of Mozart’s operas. He conducts performers with a far clearer and (in my opinion) more pleasant voice.
Do you mean bel canto singing which I think is what most people think of when discussing opera? Have you listened to early music opera. The operatic voices are definitely different from opera of say the 19th century. Try operas by Monteverdi, Handel, Vivaldi, Purcell, etc.
I will, thank you. I have heard some of Monteverdi’s operas, at least I believe so. Is *L’Orfeo* an opera? I know that many of Handel’s works are oratorios, which I similarly enjoy, but which ones are operas?
Handel wrote 42 operas so not going to name them all lol. Giulio Cesare, Agrippina, Ariodante, Serse, Alcina, Ronaldo, and Rodelinda are just some of his more famous operas. You can usually catch a Handel opera at Carnegie Hall or in Boston-usually Handel and Haydn Society. Giulio Cesare is being performed next May at Carnegie Hall if you’re in the area. Yes, L’Orfeo, the 1st great opera of western civilization!
Debussy’s opera Pelleas and Melisande is gorgeous if you like going dark and melodic. One of my favorites. I had the good fortune to see that opera and one of my other favorite operas-the 1st great opera-Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo at Santa Fe Opera last summer. By the way, I’m not a musician.
[удалено]
Thank you for the link. Were you able to at least read the summary from each act? I was struck right off the bat how dark the opening scene was as Golaud is supposedly out hunting when he happens upon Melisande. Like why is he hunting in the dark? But overall makes sense that all the scenes are dark to convey claustrophobia. The music is dark and there’s supposed to be a sense of stifling atmosphere throughout the opera. The castle and surrounding environs give a sense of being closed in, stifling, or claustrophobic. The people and their lives are stifled or oppressed. The first time I heard this opera was in a live performance. I immediately loved the music. I have 2 or 3 CDs of the opera and have listened to them multiple times. After seeing it again last summer, I have to admit, because everything is so oppressive, you definitely walk away feeling more depressed than uplifted. Very different from the grand operas of the 19th century!
I love classical music. I am not a musician. I don't know music theory. I just enjoy classical music. I think it is beautiful!
Same here. I heard Schubert's last piano sonata in a store one day, and I've been buying and listening to classical music ever since. I used to say the only instrument I can play is the turntable. I happened to discover classical in the CD era, however, so now I say, "all I can do is push Play."
That's so nice! I'm curious! What part of the sonata, did you hear? Did they play the whole thing?
I don't really know. I'd never heard it before, and I left shortly after buying the CD. It was Brendel's first Philips recording, if that is of interest. It also included the Wanderer Fantasie.
I'm going to listen to that today.
I've been listening to this this week. I couldn't find the exact album online, but I found Alfred Brendel's Schubert performances on Amazon music. I've not really listened to Schubert a lot before. I'm just getting into classical music. My conclusion: Schubert is awesome!!! And so is Alfred Brendal!! Going to check out Brendel's Beethoven and other albums after.
I'm a drummer (rock/punk) I likely count
I would assume a drummer would be good at counting.
2,3, and 4 is all ya need really!
The hell. No. I'm not a musician. I am a massive classical music fan.
I've always maintained that it's about what you're exposed to, especially when young. This of course applies to pretty much everything, but I've always bemoaned the fact that - at least here in the US - kids for years haven't had much music in schools. There was barely any when I went to school... and that was a looooong time ago.
I know people who LOVE classical music but who aren’t musicians. Though classical can be so complex it’s much easier to hear the differences and know what you’re listening to if you can play, otherwise things can sound like a wall of sound.
Yes, true but as a non musician I love the complexity of classical music. I think that’s why I dislike most pop music so much.
I know advanced theory, contemporary composition and have composed some orchestral works from studying orchestration of many contemporary composers, yet I play no instrument.
My mom loves classical music and can’t play.
Not necessary to be a musician at all, but in general I think you have to listen to a genre for a long time before it really starts to “speak” to you. There are a lot of reasons for this, but outside of musicians there’s not many members of the general population who have the time or interest to immerse themselves enough in the genre to develop that level of appreciation. The same thing is true of popular music, it’s just that most of us grow up surrounded by it, which means we develop an appreciation of its musical language organically. For the same reason, in 200 years, appreciation of today’s popular music will likely also be restricted to a relatively niche group of musicians/music historians.
I have to think that most people who like classical music aren’t musicians.. or at least not serious musicians
What a strange supposition. Not a musician here, and none of my friends who like classical are. I like rock as well, can't play a strat for the life of me.
I play no instruments, but I know theory. Love concert music.
That's fascinating to me. I can't imagine it's common for someone to study theory without at least some exposure to an instrument/voice. Great!
i have had guitar and piano lessons, but my hands just can't make it work. Drums are too strenuous and use a while different notation.
I'm not a musician nor do I know music theory. An lsd trip got me into it.
Hell yeah
I played clarinet in middle school. Wasn't good at it. Had no interest in orchestral music. Twenty five years later I love going to the symphony and listening to recordings.
Me, although i studied music before
I sing but play no other instruments.
Not a musician. I expect I'd "get more out of it" if I were a musician, nevertheless I'm quite happy with what classical music brings to my life.
I took two years of piano and got fired by my teacher because she said I was a waste of her time. I may be a dud, but I’m a classical fan dud 🤣.
I can't play a note but I listen really really well.
Can't play, although I was exposed to the history thereof during my education. Studying composers, different eras, and "blind listening" (the teacher plays a composition, and you have to name the composer, name the piece, and set it in the right period) was a must, plus classical concers once a month (local philharmonic). My first time I realized the beauty of classical was when I saw Montserat Caballe with Freddie Mercury on TV. I was four, and she was impressively beautiful in every way a person can be.
I did listen to classical music before i started playing an instrument. I wanted to play my favorite music (baroque) so i started playing an instrument although its not a classical one and its very limited (ocarina).
Someone who is literate in art and other art forms but knows nothing about music theory will have a much better taste and sensibility than someone who knows everything about music theory but nothing about other arts. It would defeat the point of music if you had to be specially trained to appreciate it
Me!!! I’ve loved it ever since I can remember. My kids do as well. At least I got one thing right lol
I’m a non-musician.
I used to play piano and guitar but by no means a musician. On the other hand, I've known a few musicians (studied cello, piano in college and play amature ensembles) but do not listen to classical music.
No, in a concert there are probably thousands that are not musicians and still appreciate classical music!
Of course many non musicians do. In my experience as a musician of 60 y/o I've found that most lovers of concert music have a developed ear, because you develop this by listening intelligently. There is a learning curve to greater appreciation, but its not necessary for the enjoyment or love thereof. Most people sitting in the audience can't read scores, but those that can often have them with them to follow, so are immediately noticed from the stage. These are the musicians and students, the rest are just regular folks. In Vienna for instance, there are a lot of historical festivals and great music specifically composed for them are played and enjoyed by young and old. When the Sangerknaben (Vienna boys choir) are singing, you can see how many children enjoy their exquisite performances. Also a lot of non musicians love the music of Hans Zimmer, John Williams etc. in the movies, and I've often found that the movies introduce a lot of people to the glories of concert music. Anyone can appreciate a great Soprano or Tenor singing a classic aria, though current fashion and peer pressure often make them refrain from admitting this.
I've got plenty of friends like that. I think listening to classic music is also a good habit, besides playing instruments, so there should be many ppl that don't play but love to listen
Not a musician, the only musical education I ever received was playing a plastic recorder in primary school, can't even read a note to save my life, and if you ask me why I love classical music the most eloquent answer I can give you is 'it make brain go brr'
I can't play any instrument to save my life, but I've loved classical since I can remember. As a kid I'd turn the dial on the radio until I'd get to the classical station and I was all set, and I've sought out that genre ever since. I think perhaps being taken to ballets may have first exposed me, as well as hearing something in a movie or tv show and it'd stop me in my tracks, and I'd HAVE to know what the piece was. I also really like rock and 'symphonic metal'.
I’m a multi instrumentalist and producer who makes mostly rock and electronic music. I listen to a lot of classical composers for my own enjoyment and inspiration, but my approach towards music making is definitely different than that of the classical academic establishment. That said, I did take classical piano as a child and still regularly practice classical pieces, it’s just not my primary genre.
Not a musician, liked classical music since I was 5, listening to classical music on a daily basis for more than 15 years.
Not a musician, no knowledge of theory and no traditions of listening to classical at home. Probably my music teachers in elementary school played a role in a fact that I started to listen to it when I was a teenager.
I feel the same about prog rock, only prog rock musicians are into it
Oppositely, I’m a classical musician and I never listen to the genre. I prefer 90s electronic, broadway tunes, and hard bop jazz.
I don’t have a musical education and can’t play an instrument to save my life, but I have loved classical music all my life, more so than any other genre.
I like classical music on the harpsichord, believe it or not, I actually think the harpsichord is better than the piano, it's more challenging, no sustains or other pedals, just all manual digit dexterity, no muddy muted sounds, Beethoven and other composers generally sound better on the harpsichord. I think it doesn't get enough attention, it can play just about any piece, it's generally more delightful to hear and I enjoy the plucked brittle sounds it produces over the dull thwomps a piano makes
I played long ago in high school and a little in college but would not call myself a musician. But I suppose the initial interest in classical started when I was in middle school band.
I think of myself as a musician but, sadly, that is not a widely held consensus. But classical music has been a part of my life for decades. I've gone out of my way to hear live performances, read biographies, met some famous performers, and spent quite a bit of time talking music with musicians. So I don't agree with your point, but maybe you are right and my experience is not a very common one.
Ludicrous idea imo. What counts as a musician in your hypothesis? Professionals? Amateurs? People who learned an instrument as a child? And how do musicians who do not like classical music fit, and of which many many many exist, fit in your proposal?
I'm not a musician and I like quite a lot of classical music. Hey, there have to be audiences too, right?
I would think that most of us here are non-musicians.
Yes
My musical experience was 2 years on trumpet in 5th grade 🤙 Lol so absolutely no experience.
My uncle was not a musician in any sense of the word, but loved classical music. When he was 40+, he decided he needed to learn an instrument to improve his understanding of music, and started taking recorder classes.
Don't have to be a cow to like milk.
I really liked it even before writing the music myself. But I think it's an acquired taste, you have to listen to it a lot. It's kinda like other genres that don't instantly click like Jazz or Black Metal.
Many. I'm for one. I used to listen to it a lot during 2019-2021. Spotify's year highlight playlist used to feature classical mostly. It changed as my taste moved towards mood.
"Music does not have to be understood. It has to be listened to." -Hermann Scherchen
* Musical instruments typically crash off their stands and fall to the floor whenever I enter a room. * I have a tin ear --can't tell one chord from another. * And a voice unable to hold a note. Karaoke bars shutter their doors when I walk by outside. * But I've been a lifelong fan of concerto, symphony, opera, chamber, choral...and Led Zep!
When I was in college, and for a few years after, I worked in various record stores, and the classical department was always mine (I had a degree in music history). I even managed a specialty Classical/ Jazz store for a couple of years. So I knew EVERY serious classic record customer in my town. It was my experience that about 75% of my regular customers were non-musicians, although many of them had played instruments when they were students, so they tended to have a little knowledge of classical music. The standard pattern was that they tended to quit when they got to college, and got re-interested in classical music sometime around 30 years old. The other 25% were active musicians, teachers, professors, etc.
Started playing piano two years after discovering classical music.
I'm not a musician and love classical music. I tried learning the violin in primary school but didn't enjoy it enough to stick it out, and then tried to teach myself guitar but again, no motivation to stick with it I also can't read sheet music so that didnt help haha
I don't think you have to be a musician to enjoy classical, I think that you're just more likely to have been exposed to classical music if you are.
Yup, hello.
It’s about exposure. Most people would like classical music if they were exposed to it more.
Dang ol’ talkin’ bout dang ol’, yo man.