When does music become classical?
I remember listening to a programme on the radio, and a very important, and if I may say, a very smug, Austrian pianist was asked about his favourite music, etc.
The interviewer asked this pianist if he ever listened to pop or rock music. His reply was that he read and studied and only ever listened to “classical music”, so why would he bother with pop and rock?
He then selected a modern piece of music, that sounded like a noisy traffic jam hooter serenade, no tune what’s so ever. But I thought well that’s his choice, it’s a free country.
But then I began pondering, (as is my habit) what is classical music?
Most people will immediately think of the music of Beethoven, Mozart, or other past composers. But did any of these composers, sit down at the piano and think,
“I must compose a piece of classical music”.
No, they just wrote good music, popular in its day, in the hope it would make them some folding money.
Now, I am aware there will people who will tell you that today’s popular music, will never transcend to classical stature in the future.
Some time ago my wife and I were watching quartet of four tenors on TV, singing a very classical sounding song. My wife was very impressed with the singing and the song.
She was even more impressed when I told her that the song’s title was.
“For Ever Young”. Written by a certain Mr. Robert Zimmerman.
Bob Dylan.
Classic.
Thank you for reading.
More stories from my sometimes-addled brain.
Is there such a thing as a classless society?