It's best not to confuse how well something is appreciated with how relevant it is. We've been condition by the rigid and simplistic structure of contemporary music to the degree that we're not be able to effectively listen to classical music when it's presented to us, and for the most part that is why classical music creates a sense of boredom, or sometimes bewilderment when it hits our ears. Combine that with the general ADD nature of our culture and you have the reason why itis underappreciated as an art form.
Classical music, more so than any other style, conveys the full depth of the pathos of the human condition. It's been with us for over 1000 years. Compare that to jazz, which is roughly 125 years old, or rock which is about 60 years old, or hip hop which is a little over 30. Classical music is extraordinarily relevant, because it is emblematic of human catharsis and the true depth of human experience. Contemporary music might be more representative of the cultural zeitgeist, but I think classical music is more relevant in general.
|