Modern music and classical music: two different directions, two different fates, different range of listeners, different influences. These two genres of music are completely unlike each other. Nowadays people have their right to choose what they believe is best for them. Mostly, they are not influenced by the crowd when it comes to their personal preferences. Each person has his own tastes and it is normal. Someone is ready to listen to Mozart, Schubert and Bach for weeks, and someone finds himself in all day long listening to "Queen", "Nirvana" or Depeche Mode. But why do people refer to this music? Why do some people like the classics, and someone simply fall asleep during listening to it?
However, when it comes to the classic music, one can say that it is something, which will never be forgotten or become out of fashion. Classical music is actively drawn into the space of modern mass culture. It is turns to in order to create the image of both the individual and commercial companies, social groups and communities. It sounds in various situations of work and leisure ("Yoexpert.Com | What Is The Relevance Of Classical Music In Today's World?"). Classical music can demonstrate the desire of modern man to connect to remoted epochs or simply to neutralize the sense of historical change, creating an arbitrary mixture of associations and phenomena born in different time periods ("Why And How Important Is Classical Music In Our Modern Way Of Life? | Gramophone.Co.Uk").
Various aspects of classical music in popular culture called research interest throughout the twentieth century. The severity and unpredictability of the changes connected with music, on the one hand, gave a rich material for discussion, and at the same time excluded the possibility of final and categorical conclusions, because the reality, again and again, made significant adjustments in thinking analysts. The first works in which the main problems of mutual relations of classical art and mass society were outlined, became the famous works of X. Ortega-and-Gasset and W. Benjamin. They largely determined the research direction of thought in questions of the influence of mass culture on the functioning of classical music (Lasch 10).
In our days of the Internet, it is under question whether to attend concerts or not. While decades ago people went to their favorite bands’ gigs not only to see them live but to at least listen to their music, today one can just watch the concert on YouTube and download the wanted song on his phone. However, those people who find themselves devoted to the music or are true fans of the precise group still prefer to attend a concert personally (Kempton).
On April 10 I attended Symphony of the Mountains Youth Orchestra’s Spring Concert ("Youth Orchestra") in Seeger Chapel, Milligan College. The atmosphere was pleasant; the proximity to the contractor easily established the live contact. Despite the fact, that this orchestra is still young, their play was completely unforgettable. Attending concerts of young musicians from music schools, colleges and conservatories is a very good choice, for the presence of a grateful audience will definitely support musicians. During this concert, I just flew away with my thoughts, calmed down, relaxed Nowadays with all this rush in our life, it became necessary to stop and listen to your feelings. Classic music can help in such situations.
It was the first time I heard about Mr. Ross Bader, the conductor of this event. When I heard that there will be a concert, it was impossible not to attend it. Classical music is something, when you are flying, spinning somewhere, hovering. I am glad that in this world these young and talented musicians, such amazing people still have opportunities to grow in their talent, to make people fall in love with such a beautiful class of music. This was a true miracle of violin music.
Among all of the beautiful compositions, the one I admired most were selections from "Les Miserables" by Schonberg (www.dewynters.com). The descending sequences of violins prepared the entry of the aria which was thoughtful and focused. Beautiful and sad melody was built on the contrasting singing with a soft and gentle end. This unimaginable combination fascinated us, captivated and touched the very heart. The amplification of sound, which was turning into loose, gave even more charm to the melody.
Then, accidently, the gracefulness of this symphony turned into a stream of liveliness with the composition by Peter Tchaikovsky - Symphony No.4, "Finale". The character of musical images of the Symphony and their ratio produced an image of different real-life conflicts, sometimes very concrete and specific ("Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 4 In F Minor"). The Symphony opens with an introduction. There is probably no better way to talk about it than to quote Tchaikovsky. He saw the introduction as a seed of the whole Symphony, its very sense. This symphony, being written in the one of the most dramatic moments of his life, describes his feelings: ““Destiny, that fateful force which impedes the impulse toward fulfilment, which jealously ensures that prosperity and peace are never complete and cloudless, which hangs overhead like a sword of Damocles” ("[Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 4] Notes By Paul Serotsky").
Time actually stopped. The music stopped, we returned from the fantasy world to reality. In unison, the hall rises and applauds, as an echo of the whirl of a spring spirit which was there during the whole concert.
However, before it, the event I went to was Ultra Music Festival in Miami ("Ultra Music Festival - Mar 24, 25, 26, 2017"). This experience was completely different because of lots of popular DJs, a giant crowd of people wanting to forget all the troubles for a time and just have fun while listening to the rhythmic music. Armin van Buuren, Martin Garrix, Tiësto, David Guetta, Hardwell, Afrojack and many others popular singers made this day completely awesome.
Armin appeared and raised a storm of emotions in the room. "AR-MIN, AR-MIN!", — began chanting thousands of fans of the DJ and he let them wait no longer. After a minute rang the opening track and so began a really epic show. It was somewhat fascinating to see how he literally created music with the only help of DJ kit. Incredible laser pirouettes, many show attendees, who not only danced, but also were jumping on the trampoline, great sound and the work of Armin with his fans made me almost fall into the separate universe which for one night created the famous DJ. During the concert, I noticed how smoothly the team of Armin van Buuren was working. Sound, lights, dancers — everything worked in unison with the DJ. Why is that surprising? Because of the fact that Armin has said many times that during performances he never adheres to a specific sequence of tracks in the playlist ("Tracklist Of Armin's ‘Intense' Revealed!").
When it comes to the comparison of two, at the first glance, different kinds of music, I can say that they have something in common. Both of them are due to their muteness, immerse in an inexplicable state of mind which is almost alike to daydreaming. They must be heard for long hours. However, the main difference lies within the time lapse. People in their majority are getting used to the music of their age. Early kinds of music will always be remembered but not as popular as the modern ones ("Classical Music: Compare & Contrast").
The attitudes to the classics of different people are mixed. One does not like it; the others enthusiastically listen to it. Some cannot tolerate "the squeak of the violins" and whining pipes while others admire stunning powerful sound of the orchestra. Some do not hear in classical music any rhythm drop, others are inspired by it. For some, this is old news, for others - the basis of their musical culture.
Music It is with us all the time. It brings happiness, joy, hope and faith, consolation, support, strength. Provides support in difficult life situations. And no wonder there is a perception that music has a miraculous transformative power. All of the great composers proved that with their brilliant works.
Works Cited
"Classical Music: Compare & Contrast". Classicalmusichelps.blogspot.com. N.p., 2012. Web.
17 Apr. 2016.
Kempton, Barry. "Why Do People Attend Live Concerts?". The Schubert Club. N.p., 2014.
Web. 17 Apr. 2016.
Lasch, Christopher. Mass Culture Reconsidered. 1st ed. Web. 16 Apr. 2016.
"Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 4 In F Minor". Classic FM. Web. 17 Apr. 2016.
"[Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 4] Notes By Paul Serotsky". Musicweb-international.com.
Web. 17 Apr. 2016.
"Tracklist Of Armin's ‘Intense' Revealed!". Web site of DJ/Producer Armin van Buuren..
Web. 17 Apr. 2016.
"Ultra Music Festival - Mar 24, 25, 26, 2017". Ultra Music Festival. Web. 17 Apr. 2016.
"Yoexpert.Com | What Is The Relevance Of Classical Music In Today's World?". Classical-
music.yoexpert.com. Web. 16 Apr. 2016.
"Youth Orchestra". Symphonyofthemountains.org. Web. 16 Apr. 2016."Why And How Important Is Classical Music In Our Modern Way Of Life?
|Gramophone.Co.Uk". Gramophone.co.uk. N.p., 2011. Web. 16 Apr. 2016.
www.dewynters.com, DEWYNTERS. "Les Misérables". Les Misérables. Web. 17 Apr. 2016.
Appendix
The program of Symphony of the Mountains Youth Orchestra’s Spring Concert
1. Country Gardens - Percy Grainger2. Enigma Variations (Nimrod) - Edward Elgar3. Concertino for Clarinet (Carl Maria von Weber)4. Selections from "Les Miserables" - Schonberg5. Symphony No.4, "Finale" - Peter TchaikovskyConducted by Mr. Ross Bader
