Dvořák, Shostakovich, and Elgar: Three of many classical composers with whom few are familiar. While people do claim to know the works of some better known composers like Mozart, Bach, or Beethoven, they likely do not listen to enough of their music (or any classical music at all, for that matter) to truly understand the scope their works. Naturally, musicians find certain elements of pieces particularly enjoyable. However, being a non-musician should not completely eliminate one’s desire to listen to classical music, because you don’t need to recognize the entire harmonic structure of a piece to enjoy it. In fact, I have yet to see a harmonic analysis of Hotline Bling by Drake, and people really seem to enjoy that.

         Many people, when they think of classical music, think of boring piano sonatas that their parents turned on when they were younger to help them focus on their homework. These people, however, have the wrong idea about classical music. If they were to listen to pieces like Arturo Márquez’s Danzón No. 2 or Jacqueline du Pré’s performance of Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor, their opinions about classical music would change drastically. Sam Johnston, a member of the John Jay performing arts department and frequent listener of the classical music genre stated that classical music “is the most pure [type of music] and therefore the most moving”. Since Mr. Johnston is a student, his account should inspire others of the same age to try listening to classical music. Like me, Mr. Johnston understands that classical music is much more than what many people perceive it to be.

        Danzón No. 2 is a piece full of life and excitement. With its frequent changes in tempo and a catchy theme that is passed around the orchestra, the listener is constantly engaged. Márquez creates an atmosphere where you can’t help but tap your foot or, like my conductor, dance! This work is considered to be classical music, but it is certainly not what you’d expect.

        A slightly more traditional piece is Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto. While it may resemble some of the more foundational works by Mozart or Bach, it still contains many original elements that a listener finds engaging. The piece starts out with a soloist playing an E minor chord–something powerful and captivating to immediately grab the listener’s attention. The piece then continues and the orchestra is added.

        While many of the structural elements of this piece make it so incredible, the performer also contributes to its vibrant sound. Jacqueline du Pré, the late English cellist who never failed to fill any piece with excitement and passion, plays this concerto expertly. From the first chord to the last, du Pré puts the audience under a musical spell that is impossible to break. She pours every ounce of her emotion into each performance. As a result, the listener sits in awe of her talent and in sadness of her loss, all while entranced by her performance. The combination of such an incredible piece with a skillful musician to play it makes the piece unique.

        Clearly, there are a multitude of pieces that crush the false generalizations about classical music, but why even bother when the majority of these composers are dead? Well, I’m going to blow your mind even more; we wouldn’t have the music we have today without classical music! That’s right, Trap Queen and Shake It Off would never grace your ears if not for Beethoven. That key change in Beyoncé’s Love on Top that everyone is mad for? You can thank Bach. Music today is completely rooted in the works of the Classical Era, many of which are not what you’d expect. Mr. Steven Morse, director of two string ensembles and two advanced choral ensembles here at John Jay, believes that classical music “provides the clearest window possible to the soul”. This musical genre has clearly inspired positive feelings in the lives of many, and with these things in mind, people who haven’t been affected should crave the same feelings. With these new pieces of information and ideas about classical music, I encourage you to try listening to some of it because, just as I was two years ago, you may be surprised with what you hear.