Classical music alive and kicking

If the success of the recent Star Wars in Concert tour is any indication of the state of classical music in today’s society, consider it alive and well.

One of the greatest modern operas of all time has been touring the world to relive the magical mixture of galactic drama and music that made the Star Wars films one of the most memorable movies for children, and among the highest grossing productions of all time.

While Star Wars writer George Lucas became famous through his space-fantasy story, created an entertainment empire, and brought about one of the most successful franchises in history, he admits that the movies would not have been what they were had it not been for the musical score, which accentuates the climaxes and emotional struggles the characters endure.

American composer John Williams has composed hundreds of musical scores—such memorable childhood classics as the Indiana Jones franchise, Superman, Jurassic Park, and, of course, the Star Wars saga.

Classical music essentially brings these movies to life; it amplifies the emotions the viewer is meant to feel when watching a motion picture, play, or opera. When one hears the music from the movie, they can instantly draw upon the exact moment in the film.

It’s not the emotionally dead and melodically-void pop music of today that stimulates and shapes our imagination, it’s the 300-year-old plus music that our European ancestors brought to this country that elevates our musical senses.

It’s a form of music that has survived revolutions, famines, plagues, pestilences, genocide, and wars. It came from the minds of men and women that lived shortly after the Renaissance.

Large ensembles and every instrument imaginable have taken tones to a heavenly level that is not distinguishable in modern music. Modern music and jingles rarely go beyond a few different beats or melodies. Composers like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart showed that, with various instruments and a wild imagination, one can create literally hundreds, if not thousands of different sounds, so soothing to the ear it has the ability to enhance one’s IQ and creativity when heard in infancy.

A recent study showed that listening to classical music brought about brain patterns in those in a vegetative state to the same patterns of healthy subjects.

Scientists have found that babies at only five months old are able to distinguish the differences between the works of major classical composers, but, unfortunately, those not exposed to this kind of music would have difficulty identifying composers even in adulthood.

Classical music is not dead, despite its lack of popularity among younger generations. On the contrary, it has far outlived any of today’s one hit wonders or even any of the 30-year- plus rock legends like U2 or The Rolling Stones.

In comparison, classical music’s competing genres simply can not compete when it comes to dynamics, ability to stimulate the mind, ability to reinvigorate, and the ability to give life. Have the performers of the musical scores from Not Another Teen Movie or Dude, Where’s My Car? ever gone on a world tour as a film ensemble?

A call to the youth of this country: if the constant droning on the radio of such uninspiring and talentless sounds, “ga ga, doo doo,” and “ooh ooh oh” so prevalent in pop music is not doing it for you any more, there is a fantastically rich source, a whole new world of music waiting to be re-explored.

—John O'Connor

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