Why You Should Listen to Classical Music
By Isabel Arias
Contributor
Music has been a part of culture for as long as humans have been on Earth. With that said, there are so many different genres of music out there, created by all kinds of instruments and played by a large number of talented people. But with so much music being lost over the course of time, one genre in particular has managed to pull through and still hold a massive influence in modern times.
I might be biased, but classical music is one of the greatest genres of music to ever exist. Not only does it contribute to expanding your musical horizons, but also acts as a footstool for a lot of musicians in their practice.
Most prevalent from 1720 to 1820, classical composers dominated music with their exceptional music compositions and orchestral scores. One of the most popular being Mozart, a child prodigy whose uplifting music is still played to this day by musicians all over the world. For those of you that don’t know, there is such a thing as ‘the Mozart Effect’, where listening to Mozart’s music can temporarily boost portions of your IQ. Now, that isn’t to say that you should rely on this to pass your exams, but it’s a good way to help you study.
If you ever feel stressed, put on Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. These pieces are known for calming your nerves and giving you a euphoric sense of relaxation. Not only that, they also translate natural phenomena into vivid emotional and sensory experiences through music. Spring, the first out of the four seasons, sounds light and airy, so it’ll boost your mood quite a bit. Summer, the second out of the four seasons, is harsh and quick, and will most definitely wake you up. Autumn, the third out of the four seasons, is crisp and slightly identical to Spring, but the effect is similar to that of the latter. And last but not least, my personal favorite, Winter. Probably the most popular Vivaldi piece, I’m sure you must’ve heard it at least once in your life, I can certainly guarantee that you’ll get the chills while listening to it.
Lastly, I wanted to talk to you about Beethoven. Often called the ‘hopeless romantic’, he is considered one of the greatest composers of all time. As he aged, his sense of hearing slowly faded away, but he didn’t let that stop him. Fun fact: a good majority of his most famous pieces were written while he was almost entirely deaf. Beethoven’s music reflects his personal feelings and emotions, and through it, you are able to connect emotionally and psychologically, even if you may not want to.
Classical music doesn’t always have to flaunt nature’s incredibility or boost your IQ. It has different effects on everyone. While not everybody can find it within themselves to appreciate the genius of these classical composers, and despite numerous arguments, I believe that classical music is not dead.