Timothee Chalamet’s interview with Matthew McConaughey in March has been the subject of criticism due to the actor’s remark that “no one cares” about ballet and opera and that they are dying art forms. His comment sparked quite a stir on the Internet not only for the ballet and opera community but for classical musicians as well, with many arguing that he should not have disregarded the enduring relevance of classical art. On the other hand, many share Chalamet’s views that classical music is becoming outdated, incomprehensible, and seems to exist in its own separate corner of society with few listeners. So is classical music becoming obsolete or is it a timeless art form? In my opinion, the value of music is not solely defined by its popularity. Classical music approaches expression in a unique way and has impacts on other art forms that many don’t even realize.
As jazz artist Bobby Hutcherson once said, “music is just a reflection of what’s going on in the world.” All music acts as a way for us to access our shared human history through a universal and emotional language. However, different genres of music approach expression differently. Genres such as pop generally put more emphasis on being direct and relatable to listeners, while classical music aims to capture emotions, concepts, and experiences in a more intricate and layered way. For example, Czech composer Bedrich Smetana’s famous “The Moldau” – inspired by the river that runs through his homeland – begins with an intertwined dialogue between two flutes portraying the trickling of two small streams through the Bohemian forest. As the rest of the orchestra gradually joins in, the piece explores many other different stages of the river from peaceful nighttime moonshine in the forest to intense rapids. Throughout, Smetana demonstrates the immense range, detail, and elaborate storytelling structure that is unique to classical music.
It’s true that classical music is less popular compared to other genres. Still, it has largely shaped the culture of entertainment today and continues to do so. Richard Strauss’ “Also Sprach Zarathustra” and Claude Debussy’s “Clair de Lune” are tunes so often used in movies, shows, and ads that they have become recognizable to almost anyone. Classical music also plays a large role in capturing the emotion and essence of numerous films. For instance, the famous Darth Vader theme, “Hedwig’s Theme” from the Harry Potter films, and the Jurassic Park theme were all composed by John Williams, who was known for incorporating classical music into his works. According to an article written by entertainment reporter Jay Gabler, the Darth Vader theme was largely inspired by “Ride of the Valkyries,” an opera written by romantic era composer Richard Wagner.
Williams is far from the only composer known for blending classical music with other styles. 20th century composers Leonard Bernstein and George Gershwin both have had a huge impact on musical theatre. Bernstein’s West Side Story blurred the boundaries between musical theatre and opera while Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess which debuted on Broadway in 1935 is a mix of classical music and jazz. Icelandic-Chinese singer Laufey gained popularity in the early 2020s on TikTok for her music that mixes classical, pop, and jazz.
Everyone is allowed to have their own musical preferences. Many people may not feel as connected to classical music as I do. However, artists and listeners alike need to recognize that classical music is as valuable an art form as any other. There is no reason to draw a divide between musical genres when much of art is built off of or inspired by other types of art. Though each art differs and has its unique qualities, all are valid forms of human expression and creativity.
