How Classical Music is Used in Pop Culture

How Classical Music is Used in Pop Culture: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Classical music has been used in pop culture for centuries. It can be used to convey a range of emotions, from happiness and love to sadness and loss. Classical music can also be used to create a sense of atmosphere and set the scene for a particular scene or event.

Some of the most famous uses of classical music in pop culture include:

The opening credits of the movie “The Godfather” (1972), which features theunnerving “Requiem in D Minor” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
The emotional wedding scene in “The Way We Were” (1973), which features the beautiful “Arioso” by Johann Sebastian Bach.
The iconic “All Rights Reserved” sequence at the end of “2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968), which features Richard Strauss’ stirring “Also sprach Zarathustra”.

Classical music has also been used extensively in advertising. Some well-known examples include:

Nokia’s “London Calling” ad (2007), which features Hector Berlioz’s rousing “Symphonie Fantastique”.
Canon’s “Keep Your Distance” ad (2009), which features The Jansen String Quartet performing Franz Schubert’s moving “Death and the Maiden”.
Bombay Sapphire’s “The Perfect Verifydate=2021-02-02T10:01:26+11:00 companionship=false Statue”, ad (2011), whichfeatures Sergei Prokofiev’s playful “Peter and the Wolf”.

How Classical Music is Used in Pop Culture

From the hit TV show “The Simpsons” to the Academy Award winning film “The Social Network”, classical music has been used in pop culture for decades. It can be used to set the tone of a scene, convey emotions, or even just be used as background noise. Let’s take a look at how classical music is used in pop culture.

In commercials

Classical music is often used in commercials to convey a feeling of sophistication, luxury, or elegance. For example, a classical piano piece might be used in a commercial for a high-end car or jewelry. In some cases, classical music is used in a comical way, such as in a recent ad for Kia that features Beethoven’s “Fifth Symphony” with the car driving in time to the music.

In movies

Classical music is widely used in film. This could be to add tension, produce a comedic effect, or make a romantic scene more impactful. It’s also used in soundtrack when a director wants to give their movie an intellectual or classy vibe. For example, the famous suspense movie Psycho uses a piece of string quartet music by Franz Schubert. The delicious licking scene in Silence of the Lambs is accompanied by Bach’s Violin Concerto No. 1.

In some cases, entire films have been built around classical pieces. The Red Violin tells the story of a violinist and the different people who own the same instrument over several centuries. French film Tous les Matins du Monde is about 17th century composer Marin Marais and his teacher Sainte Colombe. Giuseppe Tornatore’s Oscar-winning film Cinema Paradiso features a young boy who falls in love with movies and ends up becoming a successful director himself.

In video games

One of the most common ways that classical music is used in pop culture is in video games. The reason for this is that classical music is often seen as being calm and relaxing, which can help to create a more positive and enjoyable gaming experience. However, it can also be used to create a sense of suspense or tension, depending on the specific piece of music that is used.

Some of the most popular video games that have used classical music include the “Super Mario” series, “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” “Red Dead Redemption 2” and “Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.” In each of these games, the classical music helps to create a unique and immersive gaming experience that would not be possible without it.

Classical music is also sometimes used in advertising and films. For example, the popular film “The King’s Speech” features a number of classical pieces throughout its soundtrack, which helps to create a sense of elegance and sophistication. Similarly, many high-end brands use classical music in their advertising campaigns to give them an air of luxury.

Conclusion

In conclusion, classical music is used extensively in pop culture, whether in movies, TV shows, or commercials. It has the ability to evoke emotion and set the tone of a scene. While classical music may not be as popular as it once was, it still maintains a place in popular culture.