What is the contribution of Classical Music to today's modern society?

[kghayesh]

I was having a converation a couple of days ago with some friend. I was telling him that i wanna be a respected pianist and that i am working hard for it.
He kept saying "So what? What will u do when u be a concert pianist??". I told him that i do that because i love it. His answer was simply "What does a pianist do to the society? Doctors treat people, Engineers design machinery and products to be used in all aspects of life, Lawyers defend people's rights, ......etc..."
My answer was that pianists promote and widespread classical music and the wonderful works of Mozart, Chopin, Beethoven,....etc. But, why widespread it?? It does not contribute to the society in a monetary or economical way (in his words).

We also discussed the issue of any piano student's motive to learn piano and aim to be a concert pianist... Why is all of that endless practice hours??? For what ?? Just a performance???

So i thought of posting this on piano forum to get some professional replies so that i can make myself more obvious to him.....

Thanks.

[leahcim]

Perhaps he should sign up for "worker bee" in his next reincarnation?

I'm not a professional, but tell him people play the piano because the human race [or at least those of us who live in places with time to go around saying "Pianists? Wadda they ever do for us? Well, yeah, the sonatas, that goes without saying..."] has developed technology to store food, provide 24/7 energy and build comfortable shelters etc - ergo most of our needs from the pov of surviving like the other animals that run around all day largely at liberty to do what they want, are met indirectly.

This gives many of us ample free time from building our own shelters, finding our own food and spreading our genes to persue alternative goals like listening to people play the piano, learning it ourselves, playing computer games, writing open source operating systems, stamp collecting etc - for which you, as a pianist might receive money for teaching / playing - which you can then use to spend on food, a house etc which you didn't build / farm or hunt when you were practising - much like the people in the rest of his list do.

Your contribution is the same as theirs, pay tax, buy shiny things and your liberty.

Much of "society" is scaffolding to hold up the above technology and setup - society isn't something that does something for you so that you have to justify your existence in it or to it - it's something that, through force compels you to certain behaviour [e.g it takes your money, it has heaps and heaps of legislation to control your behaviour, it takes fit men across oceans to sort out its arguments etc] - why would you need to justify yourself to it as a pianist or anything else? It's the other way around and the sop for that, here, is the vote you get every 5 years.

[cadenz]

the purpose of what this contributes to society in means of development and use is a little unclear and perhaps indirect.
classical music is definately an art, and this question could be the same for anyone in any field of aesthetics.
i believe serious art is much more than entertainment, and from a society that is progressive it must be an output. this art is all about being creative and new while still at the same time being convincing according to our evolved tastes. this ability is a very human aspect, to be able to think of new things, and use ones imagination to take old things further and build upon it.
where would we be without art? well we certainly would be a boring society. a society that did not develop any kind of aesthetic pleasures must be a society of robots, or cavemen. without our intuitiveness, creativity and imagination, we would still be cavemen, and that is what a society without music would have to be.

[leahcim]

oops

[Barbosa-piano]

 I believe that pianists do an incredibly hard task: Bringing the glorious music from past times back to life (music, the only art that is alive) to people in general, providing entertainment, and at times much more than that, a kind of "revival". If pianism was not important, no one would "ridiculously" dedicate their life to the study of the instrument. A Famous quote by Padarewski when complimented by a listener: "I would give my life to play like you". He answered no more but the true to all good pianists: "I did". Dreams: I expect one day to be a fine pianist, and not only that, but also to be president of my country, and serve in some way in the military (aviation)  . You can name many pianists that were led to do things that affected people physically and emotionally- Respected pianists can use their art or not to honor and serve their nations and the world-
Myra Hess- Gave honoring recitals during the blitz literally- considered a national heroine.
Padarewski- led his country to independence and out of poverty, being the first governor of a free Poland.
Hofmann- Invented the windshield wipers , and many other minor inventions.
Rachmaninoff- openly spoke against communism puting in risk his music in Russia, gave honoring concerts for the Russians and Americans wounded in World War II, supported a campaign of fund raising against poverty in the Soviet Union and elsewhere-
Michelangeli- was a pilot fighter in World War II- gave honoring concerts during the war.
Pianists can be very encouraging, as Gilels playing on the front to remind the soldiers what the war was worth fighting for.
Many famous pianists got in the U.S. and elsewhere the highest awards given in their countries- Such as: Padareswki, Horowitz- 27 times winner of Grammy Awards- Medal of freedom-(the most important award presented to a  foreign civilian in the U.S.) So on...
If pianists were not important to society, they would be completely ignored. Only someone that is ignorant or has low knowledge of what pianists really do could say something like that. Lang Lang was not being recognized by Unicef for no reason... These pianists are probably doing better than the ones that question their work...
  I believe that the task of all pianists will be made harder as the times pass by. And yes, style will change as time goes by, but there will be audiences around the world that will still be fascinated by the great art of the piano. That is why my aim is to be a pianist and be proud of what I do. Some people may disagree with all that was written above, but that is just my conception of it.
Mario Barbosa 

[rohansahai]

Music (and art in general) may not contribute much to the society in material terms but is perhaps the truest representative of the condition of the masses. It can inspire people, it can stir the emotions, it can revolutionise the entire pysche.
One may ask, why do you pray? Why do you follow a religion? Does reading the scriptures or going to the Church or any religious place give you any material benefits? NO, but it teaches you how to use your material belongings....the purpose of life, the way of life.
THAT is what classical music gives to you. It teaches you how to live, celebrate this great phenomenon of life !

[Barbosa-piano]

Music (and art in general) may not contribute much to the society in material terms but is perhaps the truest representative of the condition of the masses. It can inspire people, it can stir the emotions, it can revolutionise the entire pysche.
One may ask, why do you pray? Why do you follow a religion? Does reading the scriptures or going to the Church or any religious place give you any material benefits? NO, but it teaches you how to use your material belongings....the purpose of life, the way of life.
THAT is what classical music gives to you. It teaches you how to live, celebrate this great phenomenon of life !

Yes, even Chopin's nationalistic music, had an strengthning effect so great on the Polish people, providing such strong national pride, that resulted in Hitler's orders to remove Chopin's monuments from Poland. Classical music is great, it moves through people's souls easily.

[leahcim]

(music, the only art that is alive)

Yeah, I think we've seen the same theatre company....

[prometheus]

Art is the only thing that makes human more valuable than animals.

[alzado]

Music -- and certainly classical music, sometimes called "art music" -- is one of the fine arts. 

If it were useful, it would not be a fine art.  It would be one of the servile arts, like potters who make useful utensils for the table.  Or fine furniture makers.

As for the one individual who said it was "the expression of the masses."  Well, maybe country western music fits that description.

Classical music was produced by aristocrats and is enjoyed -- predominantly -- by the well educated and well-to-do ---  the elite, if you will.

One truth about classical piano -- it has been a cottage industry, employing many professionals in music departments, in teaching studios, and in professional orchestras.  As well as publishing houses, piano manufacturers, and the like.

There's nothing wrong with that.  But music, as a fine art, has no purpose outside of itself.

Why many of us CAN enjoy music, and WHY we seem to enjoy music, is to me a mystery.  But I do agree with the one respondent who said that it seems to typify us as humans.

We have a cardinal bird who serenades us every evening.  So I would not say that "music separates us from the world of animals."  Whales sing, too.  I'm sure many other examples could be found. 

[prometheus]

No, singing birds and whales aren't music. They don't follow the definition of music.

And also the function differs. Birds sing to communicate, to make their prescence clear, to mark territory. Actually some birds do sing to impress possible partners with creativity, at least you can look at it that way. But since they aren't even conscious of this themselves it would be hard to consider this art.

Since I don't have whales in my backyard it is a bit harder to talk about that. I was under the impression that whale sounds are a mystery even to the experts. It is probably communication. I would be suprised if whale sounds are an example of 'thought out-intellectual self-expression'.

[kghayesh]

Art is the only thing that makes human more valuable than animals.

I don't agree with that at all.
We have brains to think and innovate and make life easier.
Just a fish or a donkey today are exactly the same as 2000 years ago. Humans change and invent new things to make life easier

[alzado]

I don't agree with Prometheus.

I would say we don't know exactly why birds sing.   Birds vocalize for communication, e.g., crows -- but actual singing includes a lot of improvisation.   It can't be for mating this time of year -- the nesting phase has ended.   

We are not certain why whales sing.  Communication is probably part of it.  I do know that people buy recordings of whale song, indicating that to many people it has an aesthetic value.

What we have here, Promethius,  is someone with no clue,  who confidently tells us why animals behave.   With no real basis, other than what Uncle Joe once said at the dinner table.

Plus the other person who says that animals never change, and who considers animals to be some sort of animated cardboard cut-out.   Based on what?

Frankly, the more overconfident and shallow your proclamations, the less I would imagine that you really know about the subject.

[prometheus]

Alzado, you are ignorant and rude. If you took the time to actually read my post you will see that I already said they imprivise. And if you know about Darwinism you will understand that your argument that the nesting phase has ended is meaningless.

If you read carefully I said that we do not know why wales make sounds. But because humans buy CDs with whale and bird sounds because they put aesthetic value on it doesn't mean they are creating art. Using this logic even the sea would be an intelligence that is creating art because of its aesthetic value considering people buy CDs of ocean sounds.

Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. Plus I like to use Occam's Razor. It would be illogical to conclude they are trying to create art.

Why do you say that 'Unlce Joe' told all of this to me and I am just repeating him? If you actually read my post you will see a hint about where I get my information. I have birds in my backyard and I take time to study their behavoir. Since I read several books on biology, darwinism, human cognitive abilities and animal behavior I am just giving the most logical conclusion.

The only thing you did was attack me personally and base your conclusion on incorrect assumptions. I am not trying to look like a nice person you would gladly believe. Don't take my authority as proof or correctness.

[perfect_pitch]

I believe that pianists do an incredibly hard task: Bringing the glorious music from past times back to life

They're you go - WE'RE HISTORIANS!!!!!! 

[Barbosa-piano]

You got it... 

[Tash]

i would think it's primarily here as a form of entertainment. like drama, literature, all forms of music, it's all here for entertainment- like the emporer nero said 'give them bread and circuses'. think about it, the second most important thing we want after food is something to keep us out of boredom. music, including classical, is here to keep people happy, that's why we have concerts, and it's educating us at the same time. thus we must have classical musicians to keep those enthused with classical music happy. so we're not saving lives, who cares, we're making people enjoy something they love, and i think that counts a bunch

[arensky]

What does the pianist do for society? What does your friend do for society I would like to know....Your friend sounds like the worst sort of "proletarian hero." Does s/he listen to music?  Is their room decorated with posters or ART!!?? Or does s/he live in a void? We all have "decoration" in our lives, whether it's Da Vinci or Warhol, Bach or Frankie goes to Hollywod. What are your friends tastes? I would like to know! 

While music is not on the same level as water and air, neither are the other things s/he mentioned   
and I would feel sorry for your friend if s/he had a soul; I think they are jealous of you and want to bring you down; they cannot see beyond the mundane and practical. Their world is one big post office or Wal-Mart. 

[arensky]

I was having a converation a couple of days ago with some friend. I was telling him that i wanna be a respected pianist and that i am working hard for it.
He kept saying "So what? What will u do when u be a concert pianist??". I told him that i do that because i love it. His answer was simply "What does a pianist do to the society? Doctors treat people, Engineers design machinery and products to be used in all aspects of life, Lawyers defend people's rights, ......etc..."
My answer was that pianists promote and widespread classical music and the wonderful works of Mozart, Chopin, Beethoven,....etc. But, why widespread it?? It does not contribute to the society in a monetary or economical way (in his words).

We also discussed the issue of any piano student's motive to learn piano and aim to be a concert pianist... Why is all of that endless practice hours??? For what ?? Just a performance???

STILL ANGRY!! Protect yourself, this person is an empty shell, a "moneyhead". Run far, run fast!!!     

[jeremyjchilds]

Just carry your friend's pragmatism to the very end...

If everything was done for a pragmatic purpose, then there would be no need for the arts at all...there would be no real need to paint you walls in your house, there would be no need to go the the movies, there would be no need to have a nice-looking car, there would be no desire to marry a beautiful person who you loved, (just as long as thier reproductive organs were functional.)

It this is a world that he wants to live in, then fine...

[minimozart007]

Disclaimer: My opinion is my opinion and mine only.  What I say is not fact.

Now...

I believe that music, and art in general, is the part of the answer to a psychological need of the the human race to confirm our humanity.  Or, put in simpler terms, are we greater than the animals?  Apparently, most of us think so.  But how so?  Our creative processes and our thinking and problem solving abilities.  Yes, but what really separates us from most species on the planet?  Here is my humble answer:  EMOTION.  Not just emotion per se, but complexity of emotion.  We know this logically, but psycologically it would appear we need reminders that we are more than just organsims in complex egosystem struggling to survive.  That we are beyond bones and skin and cells.  That we are indiviual.  That we can feel and see beyond logic.  That we are HUMAN.

If you disagree with my opinion, I would be delighted to hear more thoughts on the subject.

In the mean time, please do keep altercating on internet.  It's quite entertaining .