In the past years we have seen jazz have a bit of a pop culture resurgence. That’s not to say that it wasn’t a prominent genre beforehand – because it certainly was. But in an age of popular artists such as Laufey, Norah Jones, and Raye receiving their well-deserved flowers, I find myself looking towards what seems to be the forgotten genre: classical music. As a kid, when the weather got cold, I didn’t get into the holiday spirit with Mariah Carey or Micheal Bublé, but rather Tchaikovsky’s Christmas classics, which echoed through the halls of my ballet studio. The beginning of summer wasn’t marked by school letting out, but rather by the sound of piano sonata being rehearsed throughout my house in preparation for piano recitals. I’ve grown up around classical music, and whilst I think it’s great that jazz is having its moment as it’s increasingly incorporated into pop music, it makes me wish that the classical music I grew up around would experience the same revival. 

Around a year ago, Timothee Chalamet said in an interview that he didn’t want to be part of something that nobody cared about like ballet and opera, two art forms that are supported by classical music. This isn’t about Timothee Chalamet and what he said though, because orchestras and operas all over the world came to the defense of classical music in their own way. This is about the fact that despite what he said was disappointing, in some ways it is true. People don’t care as much about these classical art forms unless they grew up in them like I did, even though classical music is everywhere you look.

Classical music has been sampled countless times in recognizable pop songs throughout the years, which you might recognize. Let’s look at Pachelbel’s canon in D. Sound familiar? It should, as its chord progression has been sampled in “Memories” by Maroon 5, “Don’t Look Back in Anger” by Oasis, and “Let It Be” by The Beatles, to name a few. Furthermore, the core building blocks of music theory are traced back to classical music. This means that the theory your favorite artists use to write your favorite songs is rooted in classical music. 

But why should we keep listening to classical music? While it may not have the lyrics or the radio-star factor that modern pop music does, according to the National Institute of Health classical music is scientifically proven to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve sleep. In this day and age, who doesn’t need that? Furthermore, classical music is a part of our history, and listening to it can give you valuable insight into the art and culture of a different time. While it may not have lyrics, classical music is still deeply emotive, and has the capacity to exert love, anger, sadness, and joy all without uttering a single word. And while we’re on the music of emotions, some of your favorite movies probably have iconic, emotional scenes with classical music soundtracks running alongside them. Think of the 2010 movie The King’s Speech. When King George goes to give his speech about the start of World War Two on air, it is Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 that draws out the tension of his announcement. In the same way that his 7th symphony has been referenced, Beethoven’s fifth symphony is famous for its consistent appearance throughout movie history from The Breakfast Club to the final Indiana Jones film in scenes of tension or distress.  

Classical music is so intertwined with our past and our present that I cannot stand to see it forgotten. Even if some people did not grow up with it as an innate soundtrack to their life, it is never too late to start appreciating the emotive and cultural power of this forgotten genre. So, the next time you see that your local orchestra is holding a concert, don’t just write it off as boring or old-fashioned. Instead, give it a go…you might even like it!