What role does classical music play in society today?

Question

How has it changed in the past centuries and why is it not as popular as it used to be in past eras?

Answer 1

It serves to soak up money so that rich people feel good about themselves.

Answer 2

I am not sure with what you mean by "how has it changed in the past centuries". Are you referring to stylistic changes from Renaissance to Baroque to Classical etc? I think you should be pretty familiar with this. The only thing worth mentioning here is perhaps the rise of intellectualism and the divergence of styles (or even the "liberalization" from prevailing styles) in the twentieth century.

In the past eras, these music are not considered "classical" music. They perhaps pass as "popular music", governed by changing trends etc. similar to what is happening in popular music today. The difference is that even their most "trendy" music can co-exist well with the music of the older masters like Bach and Mozart.

Answer 3

Note: I'm a classically trained professional musician, whose first love is jazz, and has done commerical work as well as performance in a variety of settings. That being said:

Classical music remains a mostly-ignored declaration and demonstration of what artistic accomplishments can be achieved if the artist applies enough intelligence, inspiration and passion - over a protracted period of time.

In other words, it proves the sustained, inspired effort counts for more than the flash in the pan.

Why do I say that? Well, a finely crafted pop song can be written in a couple of hours. But a symphony? A cantata?

The reason for the decline in interest in classical music can, in my opinion, be traced directly to the dumbing-down of our modern culture - the insistence that what can be procured must be procured IMMEDIATELY, and that there are few benefits to investing the time, study and effort to appreciate complex art forms (hence, the rise of various musical genres of late...you fill in the blanks).

Answer 4

Many many of the composers who create music of the "important" or "Classical" style today are working to create music for Movies. Think of your favorite films - chances are there were new classical pieces written to enhance a scene, a mood, a gesture. The list of composers writing for films today is nearly endless, but a few of my favorites are Gabriel Yared, John Williams, Angelo Badalamenti, Philip Glass, Eleni Karaindrou, Rachel Portman, John Barry, Ennio Morricone, Randy Elfman and even Clint Eastwood. These composers' music today reaches more ears than ever did Beethoven's or Mozart's in their lifetimes.

Answer 5

It hasen't been lost. look at the answer above you.
No music is as popular as when it was still being made, humans grow and start to like different kinds of music.
But it's still around, the problem is that its like most music, the person playing it hardly produces it. To me that means they are not as talented. You had prodigies making the music then now you have 40 year old fat men making it, and it shows.

Answer 6

It provides cheap (copywrite /royalty free) background music for cartoons and commercials

Answer 7

time marches on
it wasnt called classical when it was

Answer 8

its been lost, i thik we should bring it back and re-introduce it, it is good music, ppl have just forgotten