luismagalhaes.com – Luis Magalhães

Why Classical Music Is Still Cool (Even If No One Admits It)

February 19, 2025 by luismagalhaes.com

Classical Music, Cultural Relevance, Music Evolution, Music Industry, Why Classical Music Matters

Let’s be honest: classical music doesn’t always have the best PR. It’s often painted as old-fashioned, overly serious, and only for those with refined tastes (or at least an inherited collection of concert attire). Meanwhile, pop, rock, and electronic music dominate streaming platforms, and orchestras worry about declining ticket sales.

But here’s the truth—classical music is still cool. People just don’t always realize it.

1. Classical Music Is Everywhere (Even If You Don’t Notice)

You might not actively stream Mahler’s symphonies, but classical music sneaks into your daily life more than you think. Film scores? Video games? That dramatic commercial soundtrack that made you want to buy a luxury car you can’t afford? All rooted in classical traditions.

Hans Zimmer? John Williams? Their work is drenched in the harmonic language of Wagner and Stravinsky.
That emotional moment in your favorite video game? Probably underscored by a string section.
TikTok trends? Classical music is suddenly viral again (Lacrimosa moment, anyone?).

Even if people don’t consciously sit down and listen to Beethoven’s 9th, they’re absorbing his influence through pop culture every day.

2. Classical Music Is Basically the Original Rock & Roll

Before screaming Beatles fans, there were screaming Liszt fans (Lisztomania was real). Before wild guitar solos, there were Paganini’s ridiculous violin runs that people thought were literally supernatural. Before Bohemian Rhapsody, there was Mozart’s ability to mix drama, humor, and chaos into a single piece.

Classical composers weren’t writing music for quiet museum halls—they were breaking rules, challenging norms, and making bold artistic statements. Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring caused an actual riot in 1913. Beethoven was basically flipping off the aristocracy with his late works.

These composers were the rebels of their time, and if they were alive today, they’d probably be pushing boundaries in ways that would put some rock stars to shame.

3. Classical Music Requires Superhuman Skill (And That’s Cool)

In an era where technology can turn anyone into a “musician” with a laptop and some loops, classical music still demands something different—unfiltered human ability.

No auto-tune, no quantization, no “fix it in post.” Just years (decades!) of disciplined practice to master an instrument and communicate something deeply human. Watching a pianist rip through Rachmaninoff or a violinist play an impossible cadenza is no different from watching an elite athlete perform at their peak.

In an age of shortcuts, classical music is proof that true mastery still matters.

4. It’s Emotional Without Words

Classical music doesn’t need lyrics to hit you right in the soul. A Beethoven slow movement can break your heart without saying a single word. A Mahler symphony can feel like the entire human experience in one sitting.

That’s why it still resonates—it taps into emotions that go beyond language. It’s why movies use it to heighten drama, why people turn to it in times of reflection, and why it remains timeless.

5. It’s Changing—and That’s a Good Thing

Classical music is evolving, and that’s what’s keeping it alive. Orchestras are playing video game music. Pianists are making content for social media (yes, even TikTok). New composers are blending classical with electronic, jazz, and world music.

It’s breaking out of traditional concert halls, finding new audiences, and proving that it’s not stuck in the past—it’s just waiting for people to listen.

Final Thoughts: Classical Music Isn’t Going Anywhere

Sure, classical music isn’t topping the pop charts, but that doesn’t mean it’s fading. It’s just shifting, adapting, and finding new ways to connect with audiences. Whether it’s through film scores, digital concerts, or unexpected collaborations, classical music is still shaping the way we experience sound.

It’s dramatic. It’s rebellious. It’s emotional. It’s demanding. And it’s still cool.

People just need to be reminded.

Is Classical Music Dying? No, But It’s Changing

February 14, 2025 by luismagalhaes.com

Audience Engagement, change, Classical Music, Digital Marketing for Musicians, Music Evolution, Music Industry, Piano

If you’ve spent any time in classical music circles, you’ve probably heard the question: “Is classical music dying?” It’s an ongoing debate, fueled by shrinking audiences, struggling orchestras, and the overwhelming dominance of popular music in mainstream culture. But I don’t believe classical music is dying—it’s evolving.

The way we engage with classical music today looks different than it did a few decades ago. While some traditional structures may be struggling, new opportunities are emerging. And as artists, we need to embrace change rather than resist it.

Audiences Are Changing

For years, the classical music industry has been obsessed with the idea of an aging audience. We’ve all heard the statistics about the graying heads in concert halls. But the reality is that young people do love classical music—they’re just experiencing it in different ways.

Streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube have made classical music more accessible than ever. A listener might discover Beethoven’s late sonatas through a playlist, or stumble upon a Rachmaninoff concerto via an algorithm that paired it with a film soundtrack. The barrier to entry is lower than ever, and this presents a massive opportunity.

The challenge is no longer getting people to hear classical music—it’s getting them to engage with it on a deeper level.

The Role of Social Media and Digital Branding

For musicians, embracing digital platforms isn’t optional anymore. Whether it’s through Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, or even podcasts, artists are finding new ways to connect with audiences beyond the concert hall.

This shift is something I’ve been working on myself, especially with the help of Catalyst Music, who I’m currently working with for PR and marketing. Their approach recognizes that musicians today need more than just talent—they need strategy. Visibility matters. Storytelling matters. Finding ways to bridge the gap between tradition and innovation is key.

A well-crafted online presence doesn’t replace live performances, but it enhances them. It creates a community, keeps people engaged between concerts, and, ultimately, makes classical music feel more personal and alive.

Reimagining Performance Spaces

One of the most exciting developments in recent years is the way classical music is breaking out of traditional venues. While grand concert halls are still vital, we’re seeing more performances in unconventional spaces:

Chamber concerts in art galleries and museums
Intimate house concerts streamed live
Open-air performances in public spaces
Classical music collaborations with non-classical artists

These settings often attract audiences who wouldn’t normally step into a concert hall. They offer a more relaxed, immersive experience that feels accessible without compromising artistic integrity.

Classical Music as a Living Art Form

For classical music to thrive, we have to remember that it is not just a museum piece. Every composer we revere today—from Bach to Beethoven to Brahms—was, in their time, a contemporary artist pushing boundaries. We need to foster that same spirit today, encouraging new compositions, fresh interpretations, and bold programming that speaks to modern audiences.

It’s also worth noting that classical music has always gone through periods of reinvention. There were times when Baroque music fell out of favor, only to be revived centuries later. Romanticism gave way to modernism, which in turn evolved into new experimental forms. Change is not the enemy—it’s the reason classical music has survived for so long.

Final Thoughts

Classical music is not dying. It’s shifting, adapting, and finding new ways to remain relevant. The real challenge isn’t the lack of interest—it’s whether we, as musicians, are willing to meet audiences where they are.

With the right approach—one that blends tradition with innovation, artistry with strategy—we can ensure that classical music not only survives but thrives.

If you’re an artist looking to navigate this new landscape, I highly recommend checking out Catalyst Music. Their expertise in PR and marketing is helping musicians like me bridge the gap between the classical world and today’s digital-first audience.

Let’s keep the music alive

A Classical Music Podcast… But Unhinged

February 8, 2025 by luismagalhaes.com

Classical Music, Music and Humor, Piano, Podcast

Classical music is serious business. The composers, the history, the interpretations—all of it demands reverence and intellectual rigor. But let’s be honest: it’s also full of absurdity, drama, and moments so chaotic they deserve their own reality show.

That’s where my new podcast comes in.

What Is This Madness?

This is not your typical classical music podcast. There are plenty of those—deep dives into historical context, thoughtful discussions on performance practice, and interviews with esteemed musicians who speak in beautifully structured paragraphs. Mine, however, is a different beast.

Imagine:

Tchaikovsky, but badly played.
Theatrical levels of post-concert trauma.
Fake sponsors offering questionable remedies for extreme emotional recovery.
Pianists blaming the instrument for their mistakes (because it’s never our fault).

This podcast takes the world of classical music and pushes it into full chaos mode. Expect satire, behind-the-scenes confessions, and humor that only slightly hides the existential crises of being a musician.

Why a Podcast?

I love classical music. I’ve spent my life playing, teaching, and championing it. But I also love humor, and I think we need more of it in this world. Too often, classical music is presented as something untouchable, as if we’re all supposed to sit in silence and nod wisely. But the truth is, musicians joke, struggle, and occasionally cry over particularly cruel fingerings. This podcast is about embracing all of that—the beauty, the chaos, and the wonderfully unhinged moments that make this art form so human.

What to Expect

Each episode will be a wild mix of:

Ridiculous storytelling—because every musician has at least one concert horror story.
Musical analysis—but with a twist. (Ever wondered how Rachmaninoff’s Second Sonata would sound as a sponsor jingle? Wonder no more.)
Special guests (when I can convince them to join the madness).
Segments that make classical music feel a little less sacred and a lot more fun.

Join the Chaos

If you love classical music but also enjoy a good laugh (or if you just need some catharsis from your own musical nightmares), this podcast is for you. Stay tuned for the first episodes, and let’s dive headfirst into the beautifully absurd world of classical music—no concert etiquette required.

Until then, go practice… or just blame the piano.

Schubert, Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms—And Me

January 14, 2025 by luismagalhaes.com

Album Release, Beethoven, Brahms, Classical Music, Mozart, Piano, Recording Process, Schubert

Releasing an album feels a little like sending a message in a bottle. You record, refine, obsess over every detail, and then, eventually, you let it go—hoping it finds the right ears, the right hearts, at the right time.

On May 13, I’ll be releasing my new solo album, featuring Schubert’s B-flat Sonata and 3 Klavierstücke, Beethoven’s Op. 126, Mozart’s Fantasies in C minor and D Major, and Brahms’s Op. 119. These works are among the most personal and profound in the repertoire, and bringing them together in one recording has been a journey of both artistic and personal discovery.

Why These Works?

Choosing a program for an album is not just about selecting favorites. It’s about building a narrative—one that resonates with where I am as a musician today. Schubert’s B-flat Sonata is a piece of transcendence, written in the face of mortality. Mozart’s Fantasies are wild and free, full of contrasts. Beethoven’s Op. 126 Bagatelles, often overlooked, contain entire universes within miniature forms. And Brahms’s Op. 119—his final solo piano works—are both an ending and a quiet, intimate farewell.

The Recording Process

Recording these works has been both exhilarating and maddening (as all recordings tend to be). Unlike a live concert, where the energy of the moment carries you, the studio demands a different kind of presence—a patience for precision, an acceptance of imperfection, and a willingness to dive into the music again and again until it feels right.

The biggest challenge? Walking away. Knowing when to stop, when to trust that what’s there is honest and true to the music. And, of course, resisting the urge to blame the piano for everything (though, let’s be honest, that’s always a temptation).

What’s Next?

As the release date approaches, I’ll be sharing more behind-the-scenes moments—stories about the pieces, recording clips, and maybe even some outtakes of my less-than-perfect moments (because, let’s face it, those are always the most entertaining).

Classical music is often seen as something distant, something reserved for an elite few. But for me, it’s deeply human—full of humor, struggle, beauty, and absurdity. My goal with this album (and with everything I do) is to invite more people into this world, to share not just the music but the joy, the frustration, and the strange, wonderful life of being a pianist.

Stay tuned—and if you have any questions about the pieces or the process, drop them in the comments! Let’s make this a conversation.