Classical Convert

Pop vs. Classical

Here is an interesting article. Want a quote for enticement? Here’s one:

“As someone newly embarked on a tentative late embrace of classical music, I do find myself wondering if this is what too much Wagner does to even the finest mind.”

Okay, so maybe that’s not the most gripping quote. Anyway, it’s basically a criticism by someone who apparently is a lateish-in-life classical convert (oh what pleasure to type my domain name!) of this other guy who is extremely — and somewhat psychotically — insistent that classical music is way superior to pop and everybody who doesn’t listen to it is under mind control. Essentially.

See what I mean about the psycho part?

It’s an interesting article because the author and convert — Sean O’Hagan — is a bit in agreement, as I am. The psycho guy, however, goes way too far with his ideas and completely leaves the land of the living (or, reasonably sane) by ranting that the joy people get from listening to pounding four-on-the-floor house music is akin to Orwellian thought-control and Nazi concentration camps.

Clearly, that’s about 23 miles too far.

What’s interesting is the discussion about why people don’t appreciate classical in the same way as pop, and how people are not exposed to instantly attractive classical pieces, how naturally it is seen as stuffy even if it is ultimately more rewarding than the most intellectually satisfying pop song. This unification of music, the non-dismissal of each genre seems to be a rising meme. Alex Ross also talked about this on his blog.

I need to consider this more.