Leo
From Bach to Debussy, classical music cemented its legacy in fine arts for a long time. The baroque period saw a variety of instruments like the harpsichord, wooden flute, and violin, with the goal in mind being cohesive polyphony. Composers from this period were people like Handel and Bach. The classical period featured light tones that make the music "float." This is the music which people first think of when they hear "classical music." Mozart, Haydn, Boccherini, and more were the most popular composers at the time. The romantic era is often considered second to the classical period to the average person. The pieces most people are familiar with are like Claire de Lune, Für Elise, and Swan Lake.
But the question in concern is why these pieces of music aren't listened to as often anymore. maybe it's pop culture or the increase in the styles of music. Julian Johnson says that one reason is that nobody can answer it, or nobody cares to ask the question. Johnson says it also could be the stereotypical depiction of a "white male privileged elitist" in orchestras, or maybe the dress code and well-known formality that classical concerts give off. Another possibility is the length of these pieces. Wagner and Mahler are notorious amongst the classical community for having 10+ hour symphonies.
Maybe it isn't the people. Maybe it's the audience. Pop songs often involve topics people want to listen to instead of Germanic legends. In fact, Johnson says that outside of McDonald's, they played opera music to drive people away and prevent disturbances. It allegedly works, because he states that it is the most barren part of his city. Companies are now using classical music to drive people away because they know that classical music is unpopular in many societies, and that it can be used like an "electric fence or razor wire" to keep people away.
Personally, I think that classical music does not get the recognition it deserves. A lot of pieces are epic and explosive while others are quiet and tranquil. The variety of classical music is a very broad spectrum, but I feel like it gets overshadowed by other modern genres. Many people nowadays don't listen to classical music other than for sleep, relaxation, or studying (the recent popularity in lo-fi has increased competition and classical music is even less popular now). I want to stay away from saying that classical music is superior to all other forms of music, but I still feel like it does not get the popularity it deserves. For me, I think the reasons are just because classical music has existed for too long. It has been played for over four centuries now, and maybe people are tired of listening to orchestrated music. I don't feel that way, but other people might. They also probably don't know where to start, which is why most people barely listen to classical music at all.
In conclusion, the world of classical music is a grand one, but it might be too big. In a world where minimalist styles have developed as well as other genres competing with classical music in popularity, a lot of factors that can't be accounted for also contribute to the decline of popularity in classical music. Although there a lot of prolific classical musicians nowadays, it will be interesting to see where this genre goes.
Works Cited:
https://www.classical-music.com/features/articles/what-are-the-different-periods-of-classical-music/
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