Queen’S Bohemian Rhapsody

[naomi24]

I’ve just listened to a composer being interviewed on the radio. I missed the beginning, so have no idea who he was. Anyway, he said that Bohemian Rhapsody will still be around in 200 years and that if Beethoven and Rachmaninoff were alive today, this is the sort of music they would be writing.

This, in my opinion, is without doubt a classic, but is it the new 'classical'?

[Arksided]

Queens Roger Taylor when being invited to perform at the Queens Jubilee concert. "They probably want us to play that bloody song again" he did say it jokingly.

A classic indeed far removed from classical.

[andy-hughes]

As I understand it, the term 'Classical' refers to music from a specific period in history, so on that basis, nothing modern can be termed 'classical'.

Perhaps in the future, a generic term will be coined to encompass the musical genius that was Queen, The Beatles, S Club 7 (hang on ...!) and similar.

[RandyMarsh]

If Beethoven and Rachmaninoff were alive today they would be using Ableton ,Logic or some other digital audio workstation.

That said i am sure that Bohemian Rhapsody will be around as long as guitars are popular.

[naomi24]

andy-hughes, strictly speaking ‘classical music’ is defined as having been composed the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, However, these days the term ‘classical’ is commonly used to distinguish serious music from the pop, jazz, etc. For example, I, and I imagine most other listeners would consider the music of Vaughan Williams who died in 1958 to be ‘classical’.

[agchristie]

The public's interest in music, even where Queen are concerned, is quite mercurial

;o)

[cupid04]

If you like Queen tune into Channel 5 on Sunday night 9-11.05pm. They are doing a 25th anniversary of Freddie Mercury.

[andy-hughes]

Naomi - I take your point about the broad definition of 'classical' music.

I would suggest that long-lasting music which can be considered 'serious' - and I would put bands like Queen and The Beatles in that category, may well come under an umbrella term.

The British media adores labels, and is forever trying to shoehorn various musical genres into neat little boxes - I am sure one of them may stick beyond the usual fifteen minutes, we shall see.

[naomi24]

Maybe 'Classical Rock'?

[Arksided]

Remember this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-TEIht30-0

[Gromit]

Music cannot be pigeon holed in just one box. A composition can often straddle several boxes.
As far as BR is concerned, it is a pop song. And a rock song. But is also constructed in a classical music style. It uses grand piano, choral harmonies, Opera, crescendos and many other classical tools. But it also uses guitars and other modern instruments. So it is impossible to categorise.

In terms of its longevity, it will be around for a long time because it is good. But there will be other contemporary songs that will stand the test of time time.
I will echo RandyMarsh and contend that if any classic composes had access to modern recording that they would be using music software such as Logic and ProTools.

[andy-hughes]

Why can't we call it Pop-Tastic Music (Mate!)

[mushroom25]

// why can't we call it pop-tastic//

we can....

...not 'arf.... :-)

[andy-hughes]

You're not inaccurate there mushroom, great mate!

[karatant]

it will