April 12, 2024, 15:34
According to one study, three out of four students use classical music for review.Photo: Getty/Ben Wright
More students than ever are listening to classical music for review. The conductor of Britain's most famous orchestra explains why.
With exam season fast approaching for many across the UK, more students than ever are listening to orchestral music for review.
According to a recent report from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO), 75% of students currently studying for exams choose to listen to orchestral music, from film scores to symphonies to video game music.
“For many young people, exams can be a stressful and daunting time.” Vasily Petrenko, world-leading conductor and music director of RPO, told Classic FM.
“Our research shows that many students turn away from popular music playlists to create an acoustic environment that is calming, enriching, and helps them focus.”
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What genres of orchestral music do young people listen to when revising?
In analyzing the types of orchestral music that young people listen to, RPO found that the most popular genre was movie soundtracks, with 44 per cent of students listening to these works for review. did.
Next up were symphonies and concertos, with 35% of students saying they listened to these, and a further 23% saying they listened to musical theater soundtracks. About one-third said they listen to video game soundtracks, reflecting the music genre's growing popularity.
The research also found that students most likely to listen to orchestral music while studying were from London (81%) and the North East (81%).
“Our mission is to introduce orchestral music to the widest possible audience,” Petrenko told Classic FM about bringing these diverse genres of music to concert halls.
“In the space of a month, our players have attended a coronation, released an orchestral album with British rock giants Def Leppard, performed works by Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich in Japan, and performed in Hull. We conducted a creative music workshop for stroke survivors,” the conductor said.
“With the addition of movie and gaming concerts, we are presenting the world of orchestral music to a new generation…allowing people to explore, get excited and push their limits of music appreciation. Masu.”
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The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra holds a video game concert at the Royal Albert Hall.Photo: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Tim Luton
The orchestra also asked a representative sample of 2,063 people from around the country whether they listened to orchestral music while studying.
The study found that older adults are significantly less likely to listen to this genre of music than today's test-taking generation. Among those who took the test before the 1980s, fewer than 68 percent chose to listen to orchestral music.
Petrenko, 46, used to listen to orchestral music when he was younger to review for exams. “One of the first CD sets I bought was Beethoven's symphonies recorded by Karajan,” he told Classic FM.
“And to this day, I still recommend this music to my students today because it gives me so much strength, inspiration, and clarity.”
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Why are more young people than ever using orchestral music for revision?
RPO Managing Director James Williams agrees with research that orchestral music helps keep students relaxed during this particularly intensive period of study.
“We have seen a stressful time for many people in lockdown,” Mr Williams continued. “How young people in particular rely on orchestral music for health, relaxation, and a sense of well-being. The support that music can provide during difficult times builds long-term relationships.”
Petrenko agrees. The conductor told Classic FM: “Orchestral music has proven to have a timeless appeal. It touches every human emotion.
“It's relaxing and good for your health, and it can improve your focus, inspire you, and bring out your passion, confidence, and ambition. It has a language of its own that goes far beyond words.
“Classical music gently stimulates your brain and body to increase your productivity, without you even consciously noticing it. It's like fitness for the mind, keeping you happy without getting tired.” It can stimulate your senses and recharge your spirit.”
Read more: 7 in 10 say orchestral music improved their 'mood and sense of well-being' during lockdown
Petrenko told Classic FM that in addition to listening to orchestral music, watching live music is equally beneficial during students' study routines.
“It can bring new life and stimulation to your thought process, and often some solutions are found while listening to or watching the concert,” Petrenko said.
Petrenko believes that many young people are “starting to form a bond with the world of orchestral music” because they have more opportunities to listen to classical music during exam season.
“And I hope,” the conductor concluded. [continuing] Journey. “