Is classical music good music?
Some people say no, pointing to the sinful lifestyles of some classical musicians and their wicked philosophies.
Some people say yes, pointing out the lofty beauty and God-honoring order of classical music.
Both categories of people are right.
Classical music is bad.
And classical music is good.
Some of the good to be found in classical music: the well-structured music, the development of the orchestra, the development of an astonishing range of sophisticated musical instruments, the attention to detail; the discipline; the depth of thought and study; the depth of instruction and methodical paassing down of knowledge; the dignity…..
Some of the bad aspects to classical music: the innaccessibility for most people (too hard/too expensive to learn); the immoral and ungodly philosophies (especially of the past 100 years); the horrifying practice of castrati, the acceptance of all manner of false doctrine; the atheism; the pride of life, lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh….in short, all kinds of sin can be found, if we look….
Igor Stravinsky, for example, is a name highly honored in most college music theory textbooks in the United States today. His music is very discordant and bizarre. Some of the titles of his works are: Firebird, Petrushka, and Rite of Spring. He lived in the early 1900’s and helped set the trajectory of classical music for the next 100 years.
Why is Stravinsky so highly honored today, even though his music is unpleasant? Is it because he exalted paganism in the guise of art with his music? Is it because he exalted dissonance? Is it just because his music was different?
Are we obligated to honor Stravinsky, study his music, and promote his works?
As Christians, our attitude should not be one of pride as we gain more knowledge, but charity and edification - to build up, strengthen, and fortify God’s people.
What about the good in classical music?
The fact is, many composers did compose music structured in an intellectually and aesthetically pleasing way; music conforming to the natural order of God’s creation.
Bach was, even in the hands of the most critical biographers, a man of God, who truly composed for the glory of God. Handel, who composed operas, also composed some of the most God-honoring music in history.
The reminder for the Christian: our main loyalty is to Christ and His Word, not to a style of music. We are trying to glorify God with our music. If a classical piece is obviously ungodly, as is the Rite of Spring by Stravinsky, for example, we simply aren’t obligated to like it or promote it, “stunning” and “revolutionary” though it may be.
We can appreciate and study the carefully crafted, orderly music within the broad “classical” music designation - thankfully, there is plenty of good to focus on; with discernment, we don’t have to spend our time, attention, and effort learning or promoting the bad.
We can also have charity and patience toward one another as we try to make the right choices.