By Denise Calderon, Nov. 19, 2024
In an age of fast-paced content, younger generations have found serenity discovering classical music in the digital age via the popularity it has gained on TikTok.
Generation Z has been posting TikTok videos where they use classical music as their sound. For instance, in one of the videos, a lizard is wearing a bow tie eating worms in a fancy dinner setup. In this case, @whosagoodlizard used classical music to emphasize the fancy dinner while also providing comedic relief. This has prompted many people to listen to the music on streaming platforms, such as Spotify and Apple Music.
“I usually discover classical music through TikTok, leading me down a rabbit hole on Spotify,” said Cal Poly Pomona political science student Juan Gomez.
This trend emerged on TikTok years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic when everyone was on lockdown. According to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, young adults were listening more to classical music during the pandemic compared to years prior. In fact, those under 25 were most likely to state they discovered classical music during lockdown, which accounted for 15% of the 2,110 adults sampled.
Many people turned to classical music throughout the lockdown as a way to deal with the uncertainty and chaos that was going on during this difficult time. Young people were suffering with mental health issues, and classical music helped them cope with stressful times. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra study revealed 65% of UK-based individuals who listened to orchestral music said it had a positive effect on their health and lifestyle.
CPP food science and technology student Enrique Govea said classical music has a calming effect on him.
“I do find it relaxing,” said Govea. “Though it’s not the genre I normally listen to, I always appreciate it when it comes up in a queue.”
Even though younger people originally began listening to classical music because of the peace it brought them during the pandemic, many continued listening because of the presence it had on TikTok and streaming platforms.
According to The Times, classical music has become a lot more accessible to younger generations because of many of the musicians and composers using the hashtag “#classictok,” making it a trending phenomenon on TikTok.
Many of these new classical music artists such as Jon Batiste are gaining millions of views and followers on social media, which is furthering the exposure of classical music to newer generations.
However, not all young people are in agreement about the way classical music is being presented in the digital era.
Criminology student Omar Luna said social media users distort classical music instead of admiring its beauty.
“Classical music has lost almost all of its respect in this generation,” said Luna. “Going from being one of the most beautiful things a person could witness to being used in a sarcastic and pessimistic manner.”
Gomez also said that he is not against all remixing attempts on social media.
“I’m okay with this as long as the music is good and respectful of the art,” said Gomez. “A good example of this I heard a lot on TikTok is “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan and “Phantom” from Phantom of the Opera, giving both a remix I did not see coming, but it’s so good.”
Although social media has been an avenue for the reemergence of classical music, social media platforms also enabled the presentation of the music to younger generations in a way more appealing to them. Social media users are creating sub-genres and remixes that are becoming popular amongst Gen Z.
Gomez said that he prefers to play classical music as a background sound in his everyday life.
“Classical is amazing for studying, it allows the brain to be stimulated both by
learning and listening,” said Gomez. “It goes hand in hand with learning. A good example of this is learning a new language. I use classical for both studying and my bus commute to and from work.”
Whether younger generations are turning to classical music for entertainment or relaxation, it is nonetheless a genre that is gaining a new generation of followers. The future of classical music is changing, and technology plays a big role in this transformation.
Not only are TikTok users taking classics and turning them into modern masterpieces, but the production and distribution of the music is also changing as Artificial Intelligence and social media are taking over.
According to iMusician, AI allows composers to create melodies and harmonies by taking text and turning it into an entire song. Classical music as we know it is evolving, and AI gives artists an easier way to create new music and allows them to use social media as a way to grow their audience.
Gen Z is at the top of the list, and many are positively responding to this new trend that is here to stay.
In fact, according to The Times, Gen Z is more likely to listen to classical music than their parents, and streaming platforms like Spotify have seen an influx of younger people streaming classical music.
Gomez said it is a great time for young people to have the technological opportunity to be easily exposed to different music genres.
“As for the younger audiences, I think classical music should be introduced early on for studying so that it can help in that aspect,” Gomez said. “In the sense of its traditional form, that’s an expense most cannot afford, so I think current technology is where most people will be able to get this type of experience.”
Feature image courtesy of Charlize Althea Garcia