Classical Music Is So Relaxing!

Or maybe not! Maggie Stapleton, a member of the Seattle ‘new music’ community, has two degrees in flute performance and is the Assistant Program Director at Classical KING FM 98.1 in Seattle. Maggie also writes a blog called NEWMUSICBOX. Her February 28^th post THE CASE FOR RADIO highlighted an important topic from the perspective of The Discovery Orchestra.

“Research shows that the #1 core value for classical radio is ‘to relax.’ Does this apply to you? If not, what is yours?”

People frequently say to me: “I love classical music. It’s so relaxing” and I always inwardly cringe a bit, because this may likely be indicative of a ‘hearer’ of classical music, rather than a ‘listener.’ And Maggie continues: “And to clarify, this (the #1 core value for classical radio is ‘to relax’) applies to audiences of major market classical radio stations which typically play mostly Baroque through early 20^th century repertoire from the Western canon.” Again, Maggie relates: “For me, classical music can be relaxing, but I don’t listen to it to relax. I listen with intent, focus, and. . .hope to feel something, whether it’s good or bad. If I don’t feel anything, I turn it off.”

Maggie reports that most of the participants in a weekly ‘new music’, Sunday 9PM Twitter conversation called Musochat firmly answered ‘No’ regarding the #1 core value for classical radio is ‘to relax’ question: “Does this apply to you?” And, in fact, it makes a lot of sense that individuals adventuresome enough to listen to newly composed classical music would say that the #1 core value for classical radio are things such as: “to engage, to get pumped, to think, to discover, to be thrilled, stimulated, and excited.” One listener even offered: “to ponder new sounds in a more solitary setting (i.e. radio) than at a concert.”

This attitude of ‘engagement’ from listeners is certainly music to our ears here at The Discovery Orchestra. As we noted in our new 8-part American Public Television series Fall in Love with Music, it may occasionally be the intent of a composer of classical music to relax us – but frequently it is not. I think it is fair to say, and to quote Maggie again, that composers invariably intend for us to ‘feel something’ when listening to their music.

Just another reminder – don’t miss an episode of Fall in Love with Music! Check your local listings, and if you live in New York/New Jersey metro area, tune to NJTV on Wednesday, March 30^th at 8:30 pm for Episode One – Our Musical Focus. Hope you’ll join us then!