A cultured ear: why does listening to music matter?

Speakers: Rachel Halliburton; Professor Philip Hensher; Ivan Hewett; Tom Hutchinson; Karl-Erik Norrman.
Chair: Sarah Boyes

Today its often lamented that, though music permeates society, we no longer value the act of listening. Indeed, have we lost touch with how we listen? Why do we listen to music, and how does the way we listen change in different contexts? Whereas the composers of the past wrote pieces for specific reasons, such as dances, coronations or religious ceremonies, music today can seem strangely de-contextualised. Arguably, listening to music as an end in itself is actually quite a new idea, so does it really matter?

Parents-to-be play Mozart to their fetuses in the womb, but this missionary zeal seems to wane when children are old enough to have tastes of their own. Commentators champion participation in music for the social benefits they claim it brings, while staying mute on how to listen and make value judgements. With worries over noise pollution, deafness caused by loud pop concerts, and even concerns that orchestras mustnt play Sibelius at full blast because it contravenes EU legislation on workplace safety, sound often seems something were supposed to protect ourselves from rather than relish.

But can our listening be too safe in a more critical sense? Within our own listening worlds, do we embrace the diverse, new and challenging music that is increasingly available? Enthusiasts insist classical music is better than all the rest, but doesnt learning how to listen mean being able to appreciate all genres equally? Shouldnt we be more critical in what we listen to, rather than seeing the same old classics as heritage to be preserved? And isnt it even more elitist to insist classical music is great without explaining why?

This debate is in partnership with Hear Here! the UKs first classical music project dedicated to listening presented by the Royal Philharmonic Society and Classic FM and supported by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• battle
• ideas
• institute
• politics
• debate
• 2009
• music
• classical

[MrMapsTV]

Sorry I meant the commenter at 1:18:56. Great call.

[MrMapsTV]

I think the commenter at 1:18 makes the best point here.

To say that Western Classical music is superior to other forms of music is just totally ignorant, and borderline racist.

This whole notion of a divide between "art music" and "popular music" belongs in the 19th century.

As does the divide between "Western" and "non-Western" music.

Some very ignorant comments here in my opinion, particularly from Prof. Hensher.

[megmcc432]

Wonderful!

[Woolstenholme]

what a bunch of stupid snobs. clasical is nothing special, and if it is, like they think, then how come they cant explain for why it is.

[inmeeden]

Very good filming and editing by David

[2222554]

"Neurologically music has an effect on health, and life, perhaps even in death"...

[2222554]

It's long but very IMPORTANT to understand what is being shown in this video...

[spiskac]

sounds interesting. when this finishes processing, i will check it out. thanks.