Thread: Why do people seem to hate classical music?

I used to not like classical music due to its close acquaintence with what I thought were band nerds. Of course I listened to Green Day in those days. I really didn't have appreciation for good music at 12-14. But by my late teens, I really started getting into it. Yngwie Malmsteen definitely intrigued me with his interesting scale selections on his early albums of the 80's In particular, Rising Force. Then, I heard Vivaldi and Paganini. There is still some classical music I don't like. But I've learned to concentrate on the stuff I like.

Originally Posted by Polednice

I would be much slower than a few people here to say that teenagers default to hating classical music because they can't or don't understand it.

Originally Posted by Polednice

I don't think they hate it because it offends them or anything like that, I think it is purely because they don't understand it.

What?

Originally Posted by Chrythes

It might have something to do with the fact people in Russia or Eastern Europe need to work a lot more to make a living. After working 50 hours a week with a wage that can barely hold you alive I doubt many would find time or the devotion/desire for playing an instrument.

Well, sure. I was speaking mostly about Moscow, not Russia. The problem is not that they have to work, but their work is mostly routine. The people of older genertions at last was able to do physics or mathematics. Most younger people are just managers.

Unfortunately, I don't have any musical education myself.

Reminds me of

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1405449.stm

Society simply trains people to be prejudiced toward classical music. Pop culture simply makes classical music look unattractive. If classical music is mentioned in a TV show it is often in a joke about how boring it is. Most people have seen Lord of the Rings and Star Wars but how many of them really that classical music is playing in the background?

If people didn't have a stereotype against classical music and realized its beauty what percentage of today's generation would listen top 40 garbage? I'm sure it would be a lot less.

There's classical music in Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings? Did Lucas fall out with Williams and release yet another version, this time all set to Beethoven?

because they dont like it

the biggest problem as i see it with classical music that leads to hate is when you have bodys like the dwp that have a 30 secont lupe of that awfull hold music for 45 min , it just makes me want to kill someone and i usaly end up screaming at whoever answers the phone for torchring me with it , and this is one of the things that lead to the hate ,

Originally Posted by djdarkone

the biggest problem as i see it with classical music that leads to hate is when you have bodys like the dwp that have a 30 secont lupe of that awfull hold music for 45 min , it just makes me want to kill someone and i usaly end up screaming at whoever answers the phone for torchring me with it , and this is one of the things that lead to the hate ,

I really hope English is not your first language.

I think it revolves around accessibility - and reaching out to people. Similar argument as to whether TV, violent games etc either REPRESENT the society we live in, or are causal & actually AFFECT it. Celebrity culture is a prime example. It's a circle & it's difficult to know where it begins or ends.
In classical music terms, does little or no coverage on TV etc reflect the relative disinterest in society or does it actually affect it. I strongly believe it is the latter and we (Classical music passionates) all need to do something about it. Amazing how Classic FM brought nearly 7 million listners out of the shadows - once they knew it was there.

Originally Posted by violadude

I really hope English is not your first language.

Many of my fellow countrymen cannot claim to speak English as a first language. It's quite sad.

The last time I visited the big HMV store in Birmingham, their meagre classical section was in a room of its own, separated with a big, glass door; almost as if it was segregating those who can appreciate classical music from the rest of society. I half expected an alarm to sound every time someone opened that door, alerting the hip tweens and twenty-somethings to the presence of someone who liked "seriously old music"

"Oi, wot u dooin' gooin' in theer - when wuz the last time Tcaikovsky wuz in the Top 10, eh!?" (Brummie accent exaggerated)

I think part of why people hate classical music in the UK is a mixture of ignorance, impatience, peer pressure and aggressive marketing: people don't want to try it, they haven't got the time to try it, their friends share the same opinion on it and the music industry isn't really promoting anything without Myleen Klass on it.

Originally Posted by beetzart

That is what I have observed throughout life. It is as this music seriously offends them!
I work with two people and I have to listen to crappy commercial radio stations all day, blearing out all the latest hits, over and over again. But, while the three of us where sitting in our van yesterday one of them started flicking through the preset channels on the radio. He came across Radio 3 and Classic FM. Playing on Radio 3 was a Mozart Opera and he turned it up really loud to take the piss. The said 'I've had enough of that ****!'. They don't know I love classical music and never will. The reason behind this is why should I get abuse for something I have spent the last 22 years studying and enjoying because people are so ignorant to something they don't understand.

It has to do with instant gratification and short attention spans that popular culture ingrains and nurtures in us. Classical music needs more and returns more for the investment.
However, there is a percentage of people who are grabbed by it inately and will gravitate to it.

Hi Kryten,
Same experience in HMV. Although they have a deal with Classic FM to promote their top 100 CD's, the few that were actually in stock were moved a few weks ago from under the section titled "Classical" to "World Music" - and over Christmas to a completely un-titled section, half overlapping "Jazz".
In my ealier post I said we should all take action together to promote classical music. Not suggesting "Occupy wall street" or anything but if you complain this week to the Manager in your area, I will in mine. If you give him the choice to settle things locally or have a written complaint to Head Office (& possibly 2 from different geographical areas) you never know -particularly when HMV are going bust & badly need the cash. Maybe some others on this great site will complain as well. Revolution, my friend!

Everybody loves Classical Music.

Some people just don't realize it yet.