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October 1999

The Right Tune - Appreciating Classical Music

By Jenny Chung

Another article from this beat:
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People often think that only old and well-educated people like classical music. But evidence shows that young classical music fans do exist.

Miss Michelle K.Y. Wong, a Year 1 student studying music at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, said classical music is suitable for all ages.

"I never feel that classical music is too boring for young people about my age," said she.

"Many classical scores have great tunes, like pop music.

"If young people enjoy pop music, I can't see why they won't like classical music.

"The most important step that a beginner should take is to choose the correct song," said she.

Asked which piece of classical music she would recommend to beginners, she said that she would recommend Symphony No. 5 by Beethoven.

She said, "I choose this piece because it is so brilliantly written.

"I know that some people will think that it is not a good choice, as the music is already quite well-known.

"However, I find that most people only listen to the first 10 bars of the music. People never listen to the whole piece, which is really a pity."

Miss Wong said, after getting the first song right, beginners should learn the correct ways to enjoy classical music.

"Although it is already an enjoyment to listen to classical music, you will get even more satisfaction if you know how to analyse classical music," said she.

"I didn't like the music written by Bach at first. But when my teachers asked me to compose a song in Bach's style, I realized that Bach was really a genius.

"Therefore, I always recommend to my friends who like classical music to learn a musical instrument so that they can learn more about music theory."

Miss Wong said, besides analysing classic music, learning about the backgrounds of composers could also enhance the enjoyment of classical music.

"I find it easier to understand the messages the composer wants to express if I know more about the life of the composer," she said.

She gave an example. "I didn't find Mozart's music appealing when I first listened to his compositions.

"However, after I heard about his legendary life, I tried to put myself in his shoes, and I started to understand his musical styles better."

Although it may seem like hard work to understand classical music, Miss Wong said there are still things one should do to get a fuller picture of classical music.

Said she: "It is essential to listen to a lot of CD albums.

"Try to find different versions of the same piece. You will be surprised to find how different a piece will sound when different musicians perform it.

"When you have listened to all the different versions, you will certainly know which one is closest to the original idea of the composer."

Miss Wong said that going to concerts is also an important experience for classical music lovers.

"When you go to concerts, you are not just listening to the music. You also see the facial expressions and body movements of the musicians.

"Although the technology of recording is advanced nowadays, live music can never be replaced."

Although Miss Wong said classical music is not that difficult to understand, she agreed that it would be difficult to promote classical music to young people.

"I think it is the education system in Hong Kong that makes promotion work so difficult.

"Music lessons are considered to be less important when compared to lessons like mathematics. I think this is definitely a misperception.

"If parents and teachers do not hold a more serious attitude towards music lessons in school, there is no way to promote classical music to our children."

According to her, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra is the cornerstone in promoting classical music locally.

"The development of classical music in Hong Kong would definitely have been much slower without the orchestra.

"Hong Kong people should actually feel glad that we have a professional orchestra.

"I don't think many people will have a chance to see an orchestra performance if the government did not support the orchestra.

"After all, we want a government that will support the development of classical music in Hong Kong."

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