Classical music seems to be fading away, getting old and decrepit and dying away with its audiences. Not entirely, but for the most part young adults prefer mainstream rock, metal or rap concerts to ones featuring Beethoven or Mozart.
Why has classical music received a negative stigma from some young adults? Despite the aged nature of greats like Beethoven and Mozart, the emotions stirred by classical music are often universal.
“Classical music lifts the weight off my shoulders and provides an escape from my every day life,” said Wylee Price, a 19-year-old freshman environmental studies major.
The Rebel (pronounced Re-BELL) Baroque Ensemble performed in Macky Auditorium Sunday evening. The Ensemble played music from 16th and 17th century Spain, at times using classic instruments from the period.
In addition to the occasional appearance of these period instruments, the Ensemble’s core group is comprised of two violinists, one recorder or “traverso,” one cello or “viola de gamba” and one organ or “harpsichord.”
As their music filled the auditorium, it evoked visions of Zorro, Don Juan de Marco and Inigo Montoya from The Princess Bride.
The ensemble is directed by Jorg-Michael Schwarz and Karen Marie Marmer, and is named after the French Baroque composer Jean-Fery Rebel.
The ensemble has been a long-term resident ensemble at the historic Trinity Church on Wall Street in New York, and according to the program is one of the most aired American Baroque ensembles in the U.S. today.
Students say they think young people should learn to better appreciate classical music.
“I think young people should listen to [classical music] more,” said Scott Mehring, a 19-year-sophomore music performance major.
He said that he likes Rebel because “they’re using and baroque style, they’re staying in the period.”
The program consisted of Spanish and Latin American Repertoire, and the ensemble featured soprano Marta Almajano and guitarist and guest director Richard Savino.
The percussionist played tambourines, shakers, drums and castanets, at times playing a different instrument with each limb. He literally strapped some onto his feet at times, and during his solos anyone with their eyes closed would have thought there were two or three of him.
The musicians introduced their instruments to the audience, giving them background information on the history of the sound.
The guitar was a Spanish Baroque guitar, which was small and concise and sounded somewhat like a harp with its ability to produce rapid running scales.
When the musicians did address the audience (which musicians don’t traditionally do at classical concerts) they were funny and interesting and did not ramble.
This, and the shorter duration of the songs made the concert accessible to beginners. The songs lasted from five to 10 minutes as opposed to being 45 minute symphonies.
“I play piano and guitar and I also sing,” said Whit Garling a 19-year-old freshman open-option major. “I sorta grew up with classical music and I haven’t listened to it for years so it’s nice to come back to it.”
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Ana McIntosh at anna.mcintosh@colorado.edu.
