Classical music is dead, according to an article by Slate. The online editorial is accompanied by an illustration of a solemn conductor in front of a gravestone, complete with music notes and flower bouquet.
Author Mark Vanhoenacker, says, “Classical music has been circling the drain for years, of course.”
He blames budget cuts in arts education, which we agree isn’t the brightest move for schools, and a shift in cultural opinion of orchestras spurred by a younger generation. However, since the article’s publish date, a lot of good has happened for the genre of music and its performers. So, it’s time to stop saying classical music is dead, and here’s why:
1. Classical music isn’t made for recording.
What’s unfair about Vanhoenacker’s article is that he sees classical music through a wide industry lens. His statistics-laden work cites that the number of sold CDs of classical pieces (2.8 percent) has fallen compared to rock (35 percent) and R&B (18 percent) albums. What he doesn’t realize is that most classical music isn’t made for a recording studio; it’s made for live performance. As composer Aaron Gervais points out,
“Instead of asking what proportion of album sales in 2013 were classical, we should ask what proportion of album sales were of live concert recordings. That would be a better metric for classical music album sales, because by and large all classical music is designed for focused, uninterrupted listening.”
Factually speaking, in 2013, live concert recordings accounted for about 23.5 percent of revenue across all genres, according to The Atlantic. It beat out studio recordings, which stood at only 5 percent on average.
2. Classical radio stations are becoming more apparent.
The journalist says, “Actual listenership continues to decline…And some public classical stations have ditched the music.”
In reality, the number of classical radio stations rose to its highest point in history in 2013, according to Current. This year, 11 million people admitted to listening to classical music per week on their choice of 200 public radio stations, according to Station Resource Group in Maryland.
Though much of the growth is due to commercial stations switching to a public format, classical music’s popularity on the airwaves is still growing. Not to mention a boom in formats like YouTube.
3. Classical concerts aren’t “less commercially viable than ever.”
For the first time in history, there’s at least one symphony in every region of Earth (with the exception of Antarctica). This means that you can see an orchestral concert anywhere around the globe. While orchestral concerts are often seen as special occasion events, movie theaters have found a way to target the faithful niche audience. Many of the latest productions by the world’s biggest orchestras, including The Metropolitan Opera and Royal Opera House, are shown on the big screen at normal ticket prices and for a limited time, causing a leap in sales. They’re especially popular around the holiday season and in conjunction with Broadway reboots.
Also, one of the most successful concerts in the world is Video Games Live, which immerses the audience in video game soundtracks that are largely based on classical music. The inaugural concert sold out London’s Royal Albert Hall in hours and is anticipated to do the same next year.
No matter which venue concertgoers choose, overall ticket sales for classical performances have risen. For example, in the United Kingdom, sales have increased by 16 percent since 2010, according to the Association of British Orchestras.
This could be because, on average, it’s less expensive to attend a classical music concert than other entertainment options, such as a semi-professional soccer match. The latter event costs about $34, according to Independent, while the average ticket to an individual Big Five concert is about $31.20, based on their websites.
(The Big Five is a group of orchestras “that lead the field in ‘musical excellence, calibre of musicianship,'” and more. It includes the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, and Philadelphia Orchestra.)
During the 2015-16 season, almost 3,000 concerts were performed, according to the BSO (which took statistics from only the largest orchestras in the US). These performances were by musicians who love to play for people who love to listen, whether live, through a movie screen, or over the airwaves. Remember: It’s the rumors of classical music’s demise that are dead – not the genre.
The Frederick Symphony Orchestra is giving you the opportunity to see why classical music is still so wonderful, even after all these years. Whether you’re a newcomer or music veteran, grab your tickets to our 20th Anniversary season here, and see why classical music isn’t dead.