What is Killing Classical Music?

With the ever-growing popularity of electronic and digital music, it’s no wonder that classical music is struggling to stay relevant. But what is it exactly that is killing classical music?

The Problem

Today, only a small percentage of the population listens to classical music, and the average classical music fan is an older person. This is a problem because, without new listeners, classical music will eventually die out. So, what is killing classical music?

Lack of new blood

One of the main issues facing classical music is a lack of new blood. This is attributable to a number of factors, including the general decline in music education and the high costs associated with training as a classical musician. As such, the pool of young talent coming up through the ranks is smaller than ever before.

This lack of new blood is compounded by the fact that many of the leading lights of the classical music world are now reaching retirement age. As these musicians step down from their positions, there is no one to take their place. This not only represents a loss of experience and knowledge, but also a loss of creativity and freshness. In order to keep classical music relevant and engaging, it needs to constantly evolve and innovate, something which is increasingly difficult to do without new talent coming through the ranks.

Outdated repertoire

In a recent article for The Atlantic, writer Edward Rothstein argues that classical music’s current woes can be traced back to an over-reliance on outdated repertoire. “The standard repertoire,” Rothstein writes, “the body of works most likely to be performed by orchestras and opera companies – has changed little in the last century.”

Rothstein isn’t wrong; a quick look at the most-performed classical works of the past few decades reveals a shocking lack of diversity. But there’s more to the problem than just an out-of-touch repertoire. In order to attract new listeners, classical music institutions need to do a better job of marketing themselves and making their concerts more accessible.

It’s no secret that classical music has been in decline for some time now.ticket sales have been declining for years, and orchestras are struggling to stay afloat. So what is killing classical music? We’ve rounded up some of the most common theories below.

1. Outdated repertoire: As Edward Rothstein argued in a recent article for The Atlantic, classical music’s current woes can be traced back to an over-reliance on outdated repertoire. “The standard repertoire,” Rothstein writes, “the body of works most likely to be performed by orchestras and opera companies – has changed little in the last century.”

2. A lack of marketing: In order to attract new listeners, classical music institutions need to do a better job of marketing themselves and making their concerts more accessible.

3. A declining interest in live music: As streaming services like Spotify become increasingly popular, there is less incentive for people to go out and see live music performances.

4. An aging demographic: Classical music relies heavily on older listeners, who are gradually dying off without being replaced by younger fans.

Lack of innovation

It is no secret that attendance at classical music concerts has been declining for years. Some blame this on the fact that classical music is “stuffy” and not relevant to today’s society. Others believe that classical music is simply too inaccessible and elitist. Whatever the reason, the decline in interest in classical music is a problem that needs to be addressed.

One way to address this decline is to encourage innovation within the genre. This could mean anything from incorporating elements of other genres into classical pieces, to making classical concerts more interactive and engaging. Whatever the approach, it is clear that something needs to be done to make classical music more relevant and appealing to today’s audiences.

The Solution

Since the 1950s, classical music has been dying a slow and painful death. Orchestras are going bankrupt, concert halls are half empty, and young people are turned off by the elitist and stodgy reputation of classical music. But classical music is not dead yet. There is still hope for this beautiful and complex art form. The solution is to make classical music more accessible to the masses.

Create new works

Part of the solution, therefore, is to create new works aimed at a wider, more diverse audience. But that’s only part of the solution. The other part is to get people to listen to the music that already exists.

Update the repertoire

The most important thing that classical music needs right now is new repertoire. It is not an easy task to write a great piece of classical music, but there are many talented composers out there who are up to the challenge. We need to support them by commissioning new works, attending their concerts, and buying their recordings.

The next time you are at a concert, take a look at the program. How many of the pieces on it were written in the last 50 years? How many were written in the last 100 years? If you are like most people, you will find that the vast majority of the pieces are quite old. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it does mean that classical music is in danger of becoming stale and irrelevant.

We need to do a better job of promoting and programming new music. And we need to do it now, before it’s too late.

Encourage innovation

In order to prevent classical music from dying out, it is important to encourage innovation within the genre. This can be done by supporting contemporary classical composers and performers, as well as venues that host cutting-edge classical music concerts. In addition, it is important to foster an environment in which people feel welcome to experiment with classical music and create their own interpretations of it. Finally, outreach efforts should be made to introduce young people to classical music in a way that is relevant and engaging to them.

The Result

Classical music is a form of art that is slowly dying. The compositions are beautiful and the instruments used are very elegant, but the target audience is getting smaller and smaller. There are several reasons for this decline in popularity and this article will explore a few of them.

A more vibrant classical music scene

Studies have shown that a more vibrant classical music scene can result in increased economic activity, tourism, and quality of life. In one study, it was found that for every 1% increase in residency concerts, there was a 0.4% increase in tourism.