How does one develop a love for classical music?

[christiaan]

Is it something completely natural? Is it in your genes and blood?

Will you ever be able to let go of this passion?

[spaciiey]

Genes can probably have something to do with it, but I don't think so. As soon as you come up with a blanket answer, there are alway exceptions to it. I think that over time, you wouldn't really 'let go of this passion', as you have put it. Although maybe it would evolve somewhat. For instance, when I was younger I listened almost exclusively to Mozart and Chopin, but then as I got older I listened to lots of Debussy, and lots of contemporary Australian composers too.

Does this answer the questions you have? lol

[amelialw]

well, for me, it's something that I already had... I adored classical music and people who could play it. My parents sent me to the group class at yamaha when I was 3 so I guess it developed my passion for music even more. nah not so much to do with genes.

Nope, I will never let it go!

[ilikepie]

Rather than genes, I guess influence would be more appropriate.

[rc]

I followed my curiousity.  Bought a random Beethoven CD, didn't immediately fall in love with it.  I was completely unfamiliar, had no idea what any of the Italian words meant nor what a sonata was...  But it grew on me like nothing else.  The feeling of it, listening while walking down the streets to school everyday, I came to look forward to that walk listening to Beethoven.

I wonder what made me turn to classical instead of other styles?  I think because it offered a broader range of expression than your average rock song.  Also, I'd always been drawn towards the wordless feeling of instrumental music (if I take notice of a songs lyrics, it's because the music has already captivated me).

When I still wasn't entirely sure what a sonata was, I learned one (then another and another) and came to appreciate the aesthetic.  When I became curious about Bach and Mozart I learned pieces they wrote, found out I like them too.  Studying the works of masters is a sure way to enjoy it, they're masterworks because they're good down to the last detail.

I listened to classical radio and found many things that caught my ear.  I heard the local string quartet play a Haydn quartet and it had such an energetic, fun finale that I began to explore string quartets.

So my recipe is to follow the curiousity.

[timothy42b]

It depends on your early upbringing, I think.

For those my age, the background music to cartoons was mostly written by Wagner and Rossini, and small amounts from other classical composers.

Since this is no longer true, kids are growing up without this history, and the symphony orchestra has now all but died. 

[rc]

KILL DA WAAAAAABIT!



I haven't been watching a whole lot of kids shows, but I think I've heard a few bits of classical tunes here and there.  Nothing nearly as good a Looney Tunes.  You're probably right, the cultural backslide - whoever's writing the childrens entertainment doesn't seem to be so concerned with imparting some culture.

Some parents are doing their bit.  I have a cousin who got her kid a 'baby's classical' CD to listen to.  I played the kid some alla turka and she recognized it.  At least there's a little exposure there.

[opus10no2]

Don't just hear it, listen to it.

[miguelcatalao]

Hey, i play to my child AND i take her to baby concertos.

So i believe more or less in an educated love... It is not a first sight love, it grows, bigger and bigger, and lasts forever!

[nyonyo]

Generally, people love to listen to romantic pieces at the beginning of their piano journey. Later, we get bored with the same things, therefore, we will start moving to a different style.

For me, at the beginning I did not like Beethoven sonatas. However, lately, I start liking them. As you get musically mature, you will like other style.

RS

[soliloquy]

Certainly by starting off with Xenakis and Globokar.

[lhsmithnet]

Nice topic, a moment to reflect and share.

My mom gave me an exposure to classical music, through Fantasia, Babes in Toyland, and LPs she got at the library. I was too young to remember it, but it is probably where it all started. Starting piano, and without prompting, I took an interest in Mozart, when my peers wanted to play pop stuff. Much later, after leaving piano, I rediscovered classical music listening to Yes (Cans and Brahms, to be exact). The genres of classical music and progressive rock are still melded in my brain, but classical music is much more satisfying, if only because there is much more of it.

But I detest modern atonal classical music and anything approaching it. God help me, I can't function with that noise!