by Chris Olsen

Created on: October 20, 2008

Classical music is the foundation for all music people listen to today! It is a traditional, yet artistic music form, composed by the greatest musicians and composers who have ever lived, and these guys didn't need the high-tech equipment today's society (myself included) can't imagine living without.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig Von Beethoven are my two personal favorite classical musicians. You can't tell me that Mozart, a child prodigy, was crap or that Beethoven, who was deaf, was a brilliant composer! Not to mention Johann Sebastian Bach, Claude Debussy, Richard Strauss, and Joseph Haydn. A lot of people my age (25) and younger don't appreciate yesteryear. Growing up in the heart of the city of Chicago, I can't tell you how many of my classmates told me, "It was done before I was born, so I can't like it." Maybe it was just one of many phases teenagers go through in this day and age, or they genuinely felt that way. Other kids I know strictly like what's popular and in their taste so much so that they won't even give anything else a chance.

I'm proud to say that classical music is played quite often during the day within 5 minutes of walking distance from my house, so it's readily available to be heard. I also like to see CD's from these immortal musicians at local music and retail stores: Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Target, just to name a few. Granted they may not sell as well as some of the top-name stars of our era, but they still find some happy consumers.

When I listen to this genre of music, I find myself in a melancholy mood and allow my mind to freely wander. It's a great feeling to sit back and listen to some of these phenomenal pieces of music from the industry's greatest legends of all time! Kids, if you don't already, you should listen to some classical works even if for a minute or two; give it a chance. You might not like the lack of lyrics and voices, but that's not necessarily a bad thing, just ask the great Blue Man Group! It's good stuff and one thing you should keep in mind is this: if not for the classical composers of yesteryear, your favorite artists never would've even had a chance to become stars.

In closing, while I agree that classical music doesn't get the recognition and respect it truly deserves today, it'll never die! You don't see too many music videos or commercials about these particular immortals, but in the mind of this young man and some others, it'll live forever. If you don't believe, you'll hear these great works and songs aired through the speakers of my car as I drive along the open road. Just like old-fashioned rock 'n' roll, this music just soothes the soul!

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