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 M¢25  Funded By Mahalo ? |  March 02, 2009 06:18 PM

How popular is classical music?

Lately I'm noticing a lot of questions about classical music. I'm surprised at the level of interest there is in it!

How popular is classical music generally?

Is it more popular with Mahalo-ites than the general population?
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March 02, 2009 06:27 PM
I've noticed that a lot of people are beginning to recognize classical music for its relaxation and meditative qualities, which has caused an increase in its popularity in California. I know several people who are usually hardcore rap listeners but throw on a little Bach or a more contemporary artist and they're even happier.

Western classical music has also seen a popularity rise in Kenya, especially in the young adult crowd, attributed to the growing middle class and the artistic resources that creates.
Source(s):
http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2008-12/2008-12-08-voa21.cfm
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2005/feb/01/classicalmusicandopera

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March 02, 2009 07:10 PM
Fascinating answer. Have you heard about this youth project in Venezuela? Maybe this whole thing is a lot bigger than anyone has realised.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4457278.stm

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/11/60minutes/main4009335.shtml

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March 02, 2009 07:57 PM
I hadn't, but how interesting that they're using classical music as a vehicle for social change. Usually, classics connote conservatism. It reminds me of an article I ran across while initially answering your question: http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/02/01/180132.php. It talks about how classical music is the essence of change and how rock n' roll, once the epitome of social transformation, "no longer seems to be doing anything new, and is reduced to endlessly cannibalizing it's own past".

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March 03, 2009 01:52 AM
That project in Venezuela is interesting. I'd done something similar in the South Bronx a few years ago. I worked with a youth program for inner-city kids. We got all sorts of instruments donated, brought in volunteer instructors, and made a band. Those kids were on fire. They ran into my clarinet lessons with so much enthusiasm, and the looks on their faces when they learned something new and I told them I was proud of them were priceless.

Back on subject before I end up on a tangent... along the lines of what @viridicus is saying, the world today is so full of noise and bright lights and rush rush rush. The typical music of today is just as rushed and noisy. I think more people are getting overwhelmed and will try anything to relax and slow down a little.

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March 03, 2009 02:32 AM
@angilla - It was an interesting tangent! Would love to hear more about it sometime.

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March 03, 2009 05:12 AM
Haha, sure... I don't know if there's some kind of private messaging here? I'm still finding my way around.

Edit: Oops, I'm tired... that was supposed to be a comment, not an answer! Bah, sorry.

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