Classical music, considered by some people to be a tough nut to crack, can become an overwhelming passion. It has great diversity: orchestral music, opera, choral music and oratorio, ballet music, art song, chamber music, and other genres. From the sixteenth century to the present, "art" or "concert" music has evolved hugely in sound, harmony and character, and has very little in common with popular music. Learning to understand it and love it requires space, quiet, and an investment of time and concentration, but the payoff can be great.
Getting Started
When beginning an immersion in classical music, any points of familiarity will be useful. These may be a piece of music featured in a recent movie, a beautiful classical song heard at a wedding, something familiar from Disney's "Fantasia," or a tune that keeps popping up on the local university classical radio station. A good rule of thumb is: after discovering a composer, period, or style that sounds pleasing, to seek out more of the same and see where it leads.
Get to Know the Real Thing
Get to Know the Real Stuff
For those interested in developing a love of classical music, it is not very helpful to use "crossover" recordings as a bridge. Electric violin, synthesized Bach, or string quartets playing Pink Floyd songs are not classical music. Crossover projects bear about as much resemblance to the true classics as a 79-cent bean burrito and a diet Pepsi do to an expensive steak served with crisp salad and a fine wine. There's certainly a place for both, but not at the same table. Seek out real Beethoven, real Mozart, and real Mahler.
The Knowledge Barrier
It's very common for people new to classical music to be intimidated by their own lack of knowledge about it. This is unfortunate. There's no doubt that some knowledge helps, but no one knows everything, and even professional musicians at the end of their careers are still striving for better, deeper understanding. It helps greatly to find a mentor who knows a lot and can guide a new listener. Above all, your tastes are your own, they will evolve over time, and they need not be apologized for. Don't be intimidated by the snobs who spout names and dates.
Listening Habits
Going to concerts is fine and necessary. Most of one's best listening, though, comes in a quiet room with good audio equipment. In this situation, it's possible to replay passages, listen to one section again and again, compare different performances of one piece, and develop the ear. The notes in CD booklets are usually worth reading. After beginning to assemble a collection of classical CDs, don't be afraid to listen to a piece repeatedly. Classical works, especially large pieces, don't give up their secrets in one or two hearings. A lack of background noise when listening is important, since the music can range from very soft to extremely loud.
Reading
Composer biographies, "New York Times" music reviews, and classical music magazines provide informative reading that can broaden one's knowledge. Many Internet websites are also devoted to one composer or to various aspects of classical music.
Things to Keep in Mind
In exploring the vast universe of classical music, many works, composers and performers will fail to please. This is to be expected, as are instances of boredom and disinterest. No composer achieved greatness in every work (although Mozart came close). Some listeners love symphonies but hate opera, or respond to choral music but not solo piano works. People who are looking only for relaxing background music will find that most composers weren't seeking relaxation--in fact, quite the opposite. Great performances of Romantic (nineteenth century) music, in particular, are defined by their passion and excitement. A good formula to adopt might be: "If I like it, it's good."
