The Best And Worst Aspects Of Classical Music

Classical music is the one of the oldest music genres, with a wide variety of styles within in it. It is one of the finest of arts but also difficult for modern music lovers to interpret. Why is this the case?  

It is one of the most technical and challenging musical forms. The styles within it - chamber music, choral music, symphonies, concertos, ballets, sonatas and operas - all possess a huge level of finesse and elegance. The level of composition requires years and years of training, and most of the music has a breathtaking delivery from the finest musicians on the planet. It also cemented a permanent influence on the popular music that followed it in the 20th century. 

However, this highly refined and technically demanding genre has a series of drawbacks made out of its own benefits. The level of composition is so brutal and difficult that the end results often sound over-elaborate and exhausting to listen to. When have people really got time to listen to a 30 minute sonata with their full undivided attention? The level of concentration required to listen to most classical music is not huge but off the scale. Another drawback is the unfamiliarity of listening to instruments that aren't pigeon-holed with the popular music conscientiousness, at least in most occasions. There is also the difficulty in learning to compose and/or play classical music – you can't easily emulate a concerto like you could with a pop song.  

There is still an outlet for classical music, and that is with film composition. Many classically trained composers turn their hand to film, as this medium provides a platform for their more ambitious, dynamic and dramatic compositions. Many factual TV programs include classical background music, although this is often in a condensed time.

One of the most difficult genres to understand, but also one of the most fulfilling and expansive, Classical Music may never be accepted as popular music, as a mass audience will never have enough patience for it.