Opinion: Giving Classical A Chance

Birthplace of the rave revolution, there’s no denying Manchester is widely celebrated for its music scene. Whilst the city hosted the first ever UK premiere of Puccini’s revolutionary La bohème in the 19^th Century, bands such as the Happy Mondays, Oasis and The Smiths have secured the city in Pop Music history for it’s legendary ‘Madchester’ scene.

Why then, when you ask the average ManUni student about the music in Manchester, do they reply solely naming clubs such as Deaf Institute, the Warehouse Project and Sankeys (RIP)? Where I ask, is the mention of institutes equally as legendary the Bridgewater Hall and The Lowry, where the vibrancy of Manchester’s classical scene is almost unparalleled?

My opinion is that young people in Manchester don’t give Classical music a chance. As a Music student of predominantly Classical here at Manchester, I also consider myself a lover of Techno, Drum and Bass and just about every other musical genre that has come into being, (with the exception of Heavy Metal). I listen to the Ministry of Sound compilations as passionately as I would my favourite Italian opera. Therefore, it really pains me to see rows of empty seats in Manchester’s Classical venues. Especially after having seen hundreds of the uni’s most passionate music lovers at Warehouse Project the night before.

Why do Manchester’s students so passionately engage with one music scene but not the other? Outside gigs and clubs, the choice is enormous and there are plenty of ways to experience and appreciate alternative forms of music. The gleaming glass of the Bridgewater Hall hosts a phenomenal concert series, where contemporary international superstars rub shoulders with the Manchester-based Hallé and BBC Philharmonic orchestras. Similarly, if you prefer Les Misérables to Mozart, a range of show-stopping musicals can be found at the Palace Theatre and operas at Opera North, based at The Lowry.

Contrary to popular belief, these events have regular student discounts and are no more expensive than your average Pop or Rock gig. In fact, Manchester Uni itself hosts a free lunchtime concert every Thursday, fully paid for and marketed by the University that features the world renowned Danel Quartet. Therefore, the problem obviously lies not in the marketing, quality or pricing of Classical events.

Instead it all ties in to music and sub-culture. Popular music in all it’s strands has deep-seated sub-culture in fashion and society. Just as this sub-culture leads to the average hipster annoyingly explaining how he’s “always loved Deep House” before it’s recent popularity, Classical music has been written off by today’s youth for it’s lack of underground associations. In other words, it’s not “cool” to like Beethoven.

Now, I’m not saying that all students go to concerts for the underground culture or that none go to Classical events as many of my fellow Music students do. However, I do believe that love for music should always be for music’s sake and the majority of Manchester’s students have been too narrow-minded to embrace the Classical scene that incorporates just as many varying strands as the Popular Music scene today.

If you love Techno independent of the rave culture, why not try some Minimalism? Not only will you experience something new but you may find something you like. And if you’re not up to the challenge of trying, you’re not a true Music lover at all.