I am someone who has spent many years immersed in the world of Western classical music. I have played classical piano from the age of six, done voice lessons, sung in choirs, and played classical guitar. However, the more time I have spent around this genre, the more I have noticed a worrying trend. Most classical composers won’t use modern instruments in their compositions. Even though these instruments will expand the range of sounds composers can create, many classical artists are intimidated by using “newer” instruments because they aren’t taught how to incorporate them into their music. I believe this is one big reason why most modern classical music (outside of film and video game scores) is no longer popular with the masses. I think that classical music has so much it could gain from appreciating other genres of music.
Why won’t artists modernize?
I firmly believe that the classical composers that are so revered today would have used modern instruments and music technology if they had them available at the time. I have noticed the similarity between some classical pieces and progressive metal music I enjoy. Other genres such as EDM or heavy metal also have classical influence. Artists from these other genres have no qualms using classical inspiration in their music. However, most classical artists refuse to incorporate influences from other genres into their compositions. Why is this the case? Western classical music includes some of the greatest music ever written. I have seen that many classical artists desire to continue musical traditions that have been established for centuries. This mindset means that classical artists are rarely introduced to modern music technology. This causes them to not recognize how well modern technology can work with classical music.
Why not use modern instruments?
If you think about it, Classical composers simply used the tools available at the time to create music for themselves and their patrons. Why should modern classical composing be any different? The tools available to us in the modern day are nearly limitless. We have thousands of different types of acoustic instruments, along with things like electric guitars, synthesizers, music production software and much more. I think that all of these instruments should be used in classical music. Look no further than the many different heavy metal covers of classical pieces on YouTube. Many of the composers that are idolize today would be overjoyed that we adapted their pieces to modern instruments. It was never their intention to stifle musical creativity or adaptation of their work. What could have happened if Bach or Chopin had modern synthesizers? Or if Vivaldi or Paganini had electric guitars?
