Why is interest in classical music fading as each year goes by?

Question

Lets face facts, interest in classical music is fading fast. The signs are all around. Can someone list what they feel are the top three reasons why this unfortunate trend continues?

Answer 1

This question gets asked about once every two weeks. I am surprised you were not prompted to this fact when composing your question. It's a nonsense to suggest that classical music's 'popularity' is fading. The reasons that CD and ticket sales are down are because of the increased number of downloads of music files and the fact that it is harder to entice people out of their homes when they have so much access to high-quality music without leaving their armchairs.



'Classical' music has never been 'popular'; it has always been a minority interest when compared to whatever the popular music of the day was throughout history.



At a time when there are more orchestras than ever before and more music available than at any time before, I don't think classical music is fading at all. True, it is harder and harder to promote and pay for events and to get 'bums on seats' but, on the whole, it is flourshing - despite all the obstacles.

Answer 2

Actually the most recent numbers show that Opera's and Symphony concerts have gone up in sales over the last 10 years. And Music programs at colleges have had an all time high of classical musicians. Also many Famous musicians have made more money in recent years then some celebrities. I think you are assuming far to much about classical music.

Answer 3

Who says it is? What signs 'are all around' I don't see them. At the moment, here in the UK we are in the midst of the Proms season, playing to packed houses night after night. The 'majors' may be making far fewer classical CDs, but that's the fault of their number crunching accountants. The 'independents' still issue mountains of recordings month after month of more and more esoteric works. For example, when I started to become interested in classical music nearly 50 years ago it was impossible to obtain recordings of the symphonies of Parry, Stanford or Bax. Now in two of those cases there are at least two complete cycles available. A recorded Handel or Vivaldi opera? No way! Now they are available by the cartload! I could go on and on with similar examples.



Later. As a matter of interest, as others have mentioned downloading, this is apparently not having a great deal of effect on the sale of classical cds. Norman Lebrecht's prediction in 1995 that there would be no CDs by 2006 has been proven totally wrong. Sales of classical CDs are holding up well, downloads accounting for just about 2% of the market*



Whilst things may look bleak in the USA, just consider China. Lang Lang, the pianist who performed at the Olympic opening ceremony, is a national figure and even has his own brand of Nike trainers. Manufacturers cannot keep up with the demand for pianos and new concert halls and opera house are being opened throughout the country.

Answer 4

I just don't see fading interest in classical music. Classical music always has had and probably always will have a small audience. I see this same small audience continuing be devoted concert goers.



as to poor CD sales this is true of every genre of music because the internet and file sharing have made themselves cheap and easy alternatives to buying albums.



As to concert attendance I'm curious about where you get your statistics. While it's true that many regional and smaller orchestra's are struggling (they always do during economic recessions) bigger and more metropolitan orchestras are thriving.