chopin

[classicalnhiphop]

For starters, I like Chopin.  But that's not what this is about.  Could someone tell me why people who (if I may say so) aren't musically inclined tend to gravitate towards Chopin as their favorite composer.  My mother and father, who aren't all too much into classical music (my dad's trying to listen to it more now), really like Chopin, particularly his nocturnes.  Is it because other people expect classical music to be very soft and relaxing? I feel like they have difficulty seeing the value even with very churning emotional pieces like Rach 2 and such.  Just curious to see what y'all think.
thanks

[outin]

For starters, I like Chopin.  But that's not what this is about.  Could someone tell me why people who (if I may say so) aren't musically inclined tend to gravitate towards Chopin as their favorite composer.  My mother and father, who aren't all too much into classical music (my dad's trying to listen to it more now), really like Chopin, particularly his nocturnes.  Is it because other people expect classical music to be very soft and relaxing? I feel like they have difficulty seeing the value even with very churning emotional pieces like Rach 2 and such.  Just curious to see what y'all think.

Chopin's music has several levels. The simple melodic level appeals to anyone who likes nice melodies. The nocturnes are not that difficult to get. You only realize how complicated the pieces are after you start trying to learn to play them  

Also his music is mostly played in a way that make the piano sound pleasing as opposed to banging.

But my experience is not as yours, people who are not musically inclined don't usually gravitate towards Chopin any more than any other past composer...

[visitor]

I can't speak to motivations of persons that are not musically inclined. I am musically inclined, and my motivation is to avoid Chopin. I try to like it, some times it's pleasing but only for a brief moment, then it gets very boring, no, that's not it, the word I'm thinking of eludes me but it's close to 'fru fru' or 'frilly' or 'frilly - frilly'....

I don't knock others for liking it, but I cant' make myself go out of myway to listen, let alone play much of his music (well his mazurkas are kinda cool, they're the 'spicier' of his output i feel).  Main work I actually will come close to saying I like is the cello sonata. But the rest, i.e. solo piano stuff  except a few mazurkas, I'll pass.

I have trouble responding, I am conflicted because I am essentially told that I should or am expected somehow love Chopin, and I just don't.

[mjames]

I can't speak to motivations of persons that are not musically inclined. I am musically inclined, and my motivation is to avoid Chopin. I try to like it, some times it's pleasing but only for a brief moment, then it gets very boring, no, that's not it, the word I'm thinking of eludes me but it's close to 'fru fru' or 'frilly' or 'frilly - frilly'....

I don't knock others for liking it, but I cant' make myself go out of myway to listen, let alone play much of his music (well his mazurkas are kinda cool, they're the 'spicier' of his output i feel).  Main work I actually will come close to saying I like is the cello sonata. But the rest, i.e. solo piano stuff  except a few mazurkas, I'll pass.

I have trouble responding, I am conflicted because I am essentially told that I should or am expected somehow love Chopin, and I just don't.

*** hipsters