Is Classical Music a Tool of Oppression Used by "the Man" to keep disenfranchised people down?

Question

Is classical music elitist and oppressive?

Most people who listen to classical music seem to be "haves" rather than have-nots and the music appears to be directed toward the elite. It reflects a mindset that disenfranchised people can hardly relate to because of their experiences. Disenfranchised people cannot afford to go hear classical music, they cannot pay exorbitant fees for the garb that is associated with attending an upscale event. They find solace is other types of music. Po' folks normally do not find classical music soothing. Our experiences dictate how we respond to certain forms of stimuli.

Ronin

This is a free country and my question is legitimate. We must continue to respect free speech. My questions are within the bounds of YA. Deconstruction and postmodernism have helped us to expose the mask concealing the knowledge/power structures that lead to the oppression of those with little knowledge or power. Don't hate me. I did not make the system what it evidently is. It is my job to unconceal the means of oppression that are used to oppress the less fortunate.

I am not arguing that Beethoven ever intended for his music to be oppressive. My question concerns how this particular medium has been used by those with knowledge/power. It is almost certain that things like classical music or certain types of recreation and literature has been used to oppress those with little knowledge or power.

Classical music perpetuates an elitist system or lifestyle. It gives its listeners the false impression that they are more "sophisticated" or worldly wise than others. It keeps the division between haves and have-nots in place.

Sancha

It does not matter how hard some people try. The system will continue to keep them or beat them down. There are times when opportunities are lacking because of public policies. Today's system is designed to oppress and prevent certain people from rising up.

Answer 1

I think this is less true today, however, in its original setting, Western classical music was certainly the product of the elite--the aristocracy. This started to fade in the 19th century, and in the 20th and 21rst century, classical music is now largely the product of academia.

Classical music before the 19th century was never intended as a product for the masses--it was not "popular" music in that sense. It was made for and supported by the elite and rich, so of course it largely supported their values and value systems. Classical music and its trappings (i.e. paying for a large orchestra, opera productions, festivals, etc.) could only be afforded by a select few, and therefore it was a symbol of high status and power. Whether or not it, in and of itself, is oppressive, I don't know, but it certainly was intended for a class of people that did oppress others.

Answer 2

Uh, no. I can well imagine someone making that accusation but I'm at a loss to understand how a symphony or a string quartet could be used to oppress anyone.

Consider Beethoven. That idea runs contrary to everything he believed in and stood for. Beethoven detested the ruling class of his day, in fact any kind of authority figure at all and he wrote music that arouses passion and emotion in a way that is the exact opposite of what someone bent on oppressing others would want. Such a person wants people to be dullards, automatons, zombies, like say, the average American TV viewer.

That's the last thing in the world Beethoven wanted to do with his music. Even if someone is not a fan of that kind of music I can't imagine it making anyone passive or slavish.

Answer 3

Actually, it's quite the opposite. You see, in the days of Mozart, Beethoven, etc., the genre hadn't even been invented yet, much less being a staple of "oppression" by "the man". On the contrary, when these men were composing and performing their music, it was very out of the ordinary. You could seriously compare them to modern rock performers, especially in the early days of Sabbath and such, for their rebellion against what was considered 'standard and acceptable' in terms of music.

On top of that, if you go through a lot of heavier rock, you'll find quite a few similarities between it and classical. The dramatic chording and structure of the music lends itself quite nicely to the power-chord-driven style of some of the hardest rock available.

Take some time and search the comparisons between rock and classical. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how in-your-face it was at the time. ;)

Answer 4

Wow, I completely disagree. I am about as poor as the come, single mom/student and I love classical music.

I have also suffered greatly and found no peace of music more reflective of sorrow than Samuel Barber's Adagio.
Anyone can listen to classical music by turning their radio dial.

Although I have noticed that the commercials on classical radio stations certainly are geared toward the affluent, but it does not change the fact that I can listen and enjoy.

I say, don't speak for all poor people. :)

and most current music has it's roots in classical, listen to enough classical and you will hear similarities of rock songs you never thought..that and the blues too.

Answer 5

I think your way off course here. Many different types of people like Classical music. It doesn't cost any more to buy a cd of classical than it does say of rap or country or any other kind of music. It's a matter of personal taste, and i don't see how not being able to afford to go to concert would make you oppressed. I can't afford to go to ANY concert, and i just accept that. BIG DEAL

Answer 6

No! No!

Where did you get this drivel? Who said one has to be rich to enjoy classical music? What of all those po' folks who got out of the po' mindset and learned and, now play alongside the "haves?"

Po' people can do whatever they want if they have the gumption to try. All anything takes is effort and determination. Most people in this life were born po'. Most of them got up from their little abodes and said "I want to go there; I want to be more than what I see; I want to play classical music." They do not sit back and say "Oh well! I guess this is it for me! Nobody's going to give me a chance."

Perhaps! But, you give yourself that chance to get whatever or wherever you want. Make strides in spite of the obstacles. Stop the po' me mentality. It does not work!

Answer 7

No, it's usually very well written music (at least the classical that people still bother listening to), and that is why people listen to it. If anyone doubts this, just ask a musician who plays an orchestral instrument. They will explain to you what is innovative and impressive about a given piece of music if they listen to it. Anyone who cares to listen closely can appreciate this kind of music. If people in any social class feel oppressed by classical music, that's a product of their own choice. They are as free to listen to it as anyone else, and classical music is usually much less expensive to see performed live than other genres are. Most communities have free classical concerts at least periodically, and even a ticket to see the L.A. Philharmonic Orchestra (a VERY prestigious orchestra) costs less than one to see most rock concerts.

Answer 8

I do not think so, I find Classical Music to be very soothing and at the same time, very charged with energy. (Depending upon the song and whatnot). Very stimulating for the mind...it lets thoughts run free.

When there is a car next to me whose rap music is turned up, the stereo blasting so loud that the road itself is pounding beneath the tires, I turn up my classical to equal the rap music, kind of a music showdown. If you can really call 'rap' music. All in a matter of opinion, I suppose.

Answer 9

No, it's very beautiful and relaxing.

And luckily, anyone, even the poor and oppressed, can enjoy classical music whenever they want. A good used CD costs about 99 cents.

Classical composers wrote their music for different reasons - for church, for court, for operas, etc. and they had a lot of technical ability and imagination. Any person today regardless of socioeconomic background can learn to create and appreciate beautiful music.

Good music (like good art) is a universal language.

One example of a kind of music that DOES keep the poor and oppressed down is gangster rap. It requires little musical ability (except a good sense of rhythm which even my toddlers possess naturally) and is about depressing and immoral topics.

Answer 10

With the advent of CD's anyone whether poor, middle class, or upper class can enjoy a wide genre of music, not just classical.
Maybe 100 years ago, your question had some validity, but b/c of modern technology, your question in now moot.