Music writer Alex Ross:
Critic/author Jody Rosen drew my attention to a Zogby/Lear Center survey of political beliefs and entertainment preferences among 3939 American adults. Down at the bottom you find this surprising result: “Although moderates are less enamored with it, classical music barely nudged ahead of rock as the most popular music genre overall.” Almost 62% of respondents said they listen to it. In fact, the basic value of classical music seems to be one of the few things that people of all political stripes agree on. You wouldn’t know this from watching the major TV networks or reading magazines such as Time and Newsweek. The question, of course, is what people mean by “listening.” Do they go to concerts? Do they buy CDs? Put your money where your mouth is, America!
Previously: Dead or Alive, Twilight of the Gods, Classical Music as Pop Culture
I suspect they mean stuff like their local NPR/university/public access radio station, but I wonder if this is a side-effect of the iPod generation. You can carry Barber’s Adagio around with you just as easily as your Led Zep catalog.
And yes, the iPod offers a less-than-stellar listening experience, but better a diluted hearing of whatever you’re hankering for than nothing at all. It’s certainly superior to ye olde Walkmanne . . . .