Thread: How many young people listen to classical music

I got interested in classical music about 18 months ago.Im 34 i think it takes people maybe,later in life to appreciate what classical music has to offer.If pubs and clubs had small groups of classical music performers playing around the world,it would become available to the masses again and introduce a younger audience.I have a classical violin, piano and cello video website for members to watch performers from the past 50 years if you like.http://www.classicalviolinvideos.com/

Well, I'm 19 and have been listening to it for about 6 years now. It started with me taking flute lessons and then switching over to piano, which I'm better at, even though it's easier to sight-read with the flute.

I'm 19 and have been playing music since I was 8, but I didn't start actually listening to it seriously until I discovered Beethoven at around 15.

I've been into classical music since early age, I'm 21 now. But if it wasn't for Batman I wouldn't do many things I do today.

Music appreciation used to be taught at School, I remember starting with the Triangle and Tambourine at the age of about 7 or 8 and of course the School Choir but I suspect that is obsolete now, you need to hear quality music to realise how bad some of the other stuff is,

I'm 18 years old, and i've been listening to classical music since I was 9 years old.

Interesting question - I've always had the general impression people either "get it" and pick up an interest in classical fairly early in life or they never do - I suspect with every passing year the chances of any given person suddenly catching the wave become smaller.

Young people tend not to understand anything complex such as Classical Music or Technical Progressive Extreme Death Metal.

I'm 21 and I started getting into classical music about a year ago. I don't know that it's an age thing so much as a musical passion and curiosity thing. Some have been fortunate to have been brought up on classical music, but for most of us I'd guess it took some exploration and patience to get into classical music.

I don't think there's any credence to the argument that younger listeners can't grasp "complex" music because of intellectual immaturity or what have you. I've always been of the opinion that the value of music is in the sensual and emotional sensation of listening to it, not in some inane academic evaluation of its worth based on perceived complexity or whatever other metrics one might have.

Originally Posted by JustAFan

Interesting question - I've always had the general impression people either "get it" and pick up an interest in classical fairly early in life or they never do - I suspect with every passing year the chances of any given person suddenly catching the wave become smaller.

I like your user name and Avatar, I know several people that came to Classical at a later stage in their evolution in their late 50s and one case the man was 60, I don't know what that proves but life is full of surprises

Originally Posted by Andante

I like your user name and Avatar, I know several people that came to Classical at a later stage in their evolution in their late 50s and one case the man was 60, I don't know what that proves but life is full of surprises

Ah, so there's hope for my friends yet!

Originally Posted by PartisanRanger

. I've always been of the opinion that the value of music is in the sensual and emotional sensation of listening to it, not in some inane academic evaluation of its worth based on perceived complexity or whatever other metrics one might have.

Nothing of the sort. Young people of course can not decipher complex music, unless they are taught so or start mastering their ears by themselves at early age. Anyone can enjoy a simple symphony but not everyone can follow rapidly one instrument at a time, especially when every single instrument plays at a fast and complicated speed, not to mention that sometimes every instrument might play different melodies, tempos, and techniques from each other. Now , with that in mind, think about trying to enjoy a 10 instrument song as a kid. Nothing to do with academics, its just getting the time to exercise your ear starting with something simple to something complex, that's all.

Originally Posted by MEDIEVAL MIAMI

Nothing of the sort. Young people of course can not decipher complex music, unless they are taught so or start mastering their ears by themselves at early age. Anyone can enjoy a simple symphony but not everyone can follow rapidly one instrument at a time, especially when every single instrument plays at a fast and complicated speed, not to mention that sometimes every instrument might play different melodies, tempos, and techniques from each other. Now , with that in mind, think about trying to enjoy a 10 instrument song as a kid. Nothing to do with academics, its just getting the time to exercise your ear starting with something simple to something complex, that's all.

No one follows one instrument at a time when listening to a symphony. Indeed, it would be missing the whole point. The great part about symphonies is listening to the glorious interplay between instruments. I don't see any reason why older people would be any more able to enjoy a 10-instrument song than younger people.