My boyfriend likes to listen to classical music... does that mean he's smart?

Stravinski's "Firebird Suite" can rock.

(...ask the guys in Yes)

If you want to learn about classical music, there's an incredible "Great Courses" audio series by Robert Greenberg called "How to Listen to and Understand Great Music." It's aimed at people with no prior understanding or music experience, and it incorporates lots of recordings along with the lectures. I listened to the second edition of it one summer during college when I was sorting mail, and it opened up a whole world to me.

It probably won't classical music. It probably was score to Titanic.

800 dude wrote:

If you want to learn about classical music, there's an incredible "Great Courses" audio series by Robert Greenberg called "How to Listen to and Understand Great Music." It's aimed at people with no prior understanding or music experience, and it incorporates lots of recordings along with the lectures. I listened to the second edition of it one summer during college when I was sorting mail, and it opened up a whole world to me.

Thanks for the suggestion. Apparently it's $350? That's a lot. I don't doubt it's great, but that's a lot. I will keep it in mind though. Really.

Skuj wrote:

Thank you for this very smart post. KIDDING about "smart", but I do enjoy what you have written here. Frankly, it is DUMB to let yourself be taken and dictated to by mass media. Follow your heart.

And Bach's Mass In B Minor is the greatest piece of music ever conceived, ok?

ummm...ever heard of Beethoven's 9th? Or Mozart Requiem in D minor?

Oh it's YOU again. So easy to spot. Nothing you say will ever change what I do here and elsewhere. Keep wasting your time....8 years now?

let me suggest wrote:

Not even close, you pretentious narcissistic prick.

I have 3 versions, because I love to compare versions of music that I love. Suzuki is my favourite. Shaw did a good job with Atlanta. Karajan basically puked on it....way overblown.

GoldenMiles wrote:

I love Mass in B Minor! I have the version conducts by Neville Mariner (I think, at least).

What's wrong with classical music, people? There is good music in all genres.

Can't tell if the OP is serious or not, but liking classical music doesn't make you smarter or not. But, for some reason, I would say there is at least a correlation between intelligence and listening to classical music, don't ask me why.

What a useful (and terribly obvious) post. YOU ARE DUMB.

Wow... wrote:

let me suggest wrote:

Not even close, you pretentious narcissistic prick.

I agree with this, too.

WHA.....GOSH NO, I HAVE NEVER EVER HEARD OF THOSE. TELL ME ABOUT THEM, PLEASE.(I'm enjoying this.)

joalturn wrote:

Skuj wrote:

Thank you for this very smart post. KIDDING about "smart", but I do enjoy what you have written here. Frankly, it is DUMB to let yourself be taken and dictated to by mass media. Follow your heart.

And Bach's Mass In B Minor is the greatest piece of music ever conceived, ok?

ummm...ever heard of Beethoven's 9th? Or Mozart Requiem in D minor?

Penis and vagina look different and are different.

I've been listening to classical music for many years, and from time to time, I've been fortunate enough to persuade a woman to attend a performance with me. What I am about to say is based on some interpretation of the OP's question and my own experience.

I respectfully suggest the OP might be experiencing some self-doubt or insecurity because she doesn't know anything about classical music. In other words, while she asks whether this means her boyfriend is smart, she might really be wondering whether she isn't smart enough for him. I say this because any number of times, I've taken a woman to a concert, and she'll apologize for her ignorance of classical music. I tell the woman it's not a test. Approach with an open mind, listen, see what you like and don't like. It's not all "relaxing." If you are wondering whether a guy is smart, I'd pay far more attention to what, if anything, he's reading.

While we are on the subject, instead of "hanging out" all the time, I'd suggest some of you young guys invite your girlfriends out to see the symphony orchestra where you live. Show her you can plan a nice evening out and you actually own a tie. Give her an opportunity to wear a dress for a change. I assure you she'll be very impressed and you'll both have an enjoyable evening. Good luck to the OP.

JohnODonnell wrote: I say this because any number of times, I've taken a woman to a concert, and she'll apologize for her ignorance of classical music. I tell the woman it's not a test. Approach with an open mind, listen, see what you like and don't like.

^^If you've ever wondered what it's like to talk to a patronizing prick, here you go.

Skuj wrote:

I have 3 versions, because I love to compare versions of music that I love. Suzuki is my favourite. Shaw did a good job with Atlanta. Karajan basically puked on it....way overblown.

GoldenMiles wrote:

I love Mass in B Minor! I have the version conducts by Neville Mariner (I think, at least).

What's wrong with classical music, people? There is good music in all genres.

Can't tell if the OP is serious or not, but liking classical music doesn't make you smarter or not. But, for some reason, I would say there is at least a correlation between intelligence and listening to classical music, don't ask me why.

Totally agree that with classical it's great to have multiple versions of the same piece, since they can be interpreted so differently.

I'll have to check out Suzuki.

JohnODonnell wrote:

While we are on the subject, instead of "hanging out" all the time, I'd suggest some of you young guys invite your girlfriends out to see the symphony orchestra where you live. Show her you can plan a nice evening out and you actually own a tie. Give her an opportunity to wear a dress for a change.

Lol. You may be right but why go through all that effort when girls today would willingly date you for sandwich?

Smart people listen to those whale sounds soundtracks.

justa girl wrote:

I've never met anyone who likes classic music before, definitely not anyone my age. I've been seeing a guy the past month or so who seems very mature and thoughtful, and he started listening to classical music yesterday when we were in the car. I didn't know what to think, if he was joking or serious. He said he listens to it regularly. He asked me if I listen to it, and I just had to say no. It made me feel really stupid for not knowing anything about it. It got me thinking, do smart people listen to classical music? Is my boyfriend smart? Please help me.

Look, honey, if you are not sucking some guy off, you should just keep your mouth closed. It's for the best.

not now but later wrote:

800 dude wrote:

If you want to learn about classical music, there's an incredible "Great Courses" audio series by Robert Greenberg called "How to Listen to and Understand Great Music." It's aimed at people with no prior understanding or music experience, and it incorporates lots of recordings along with the lectures. I listened to the second edition of it one summer during college when I was sorting mail, and it opened up a whole world to me.

Thanks for the suggestion. Apparently it's $350? That's a lot. I don't doubt it's great, but that's a lot. I will keep it in mind though. Really.

I highly recommend Exploring Music with Bill McGlaughlin. You can stream it for free online several times a day on different radio stations' websites. If you like it you can sign up for his entire catalog online for $50/year. He talks a little bit about lots of great classical music from incredibly well known to more obscure. Most importantly, most of the show he lets the music do the talking. I've discovered tons of great pieces through this program.

Skuj wrote:

WHA.....GOSH NO, I HAVE NEVER EVER HEARD OF THOSE. TELL ME ABOUT THEM, PLEASE.

(I'm enjoying this.)

joalturn wrote:

ummm...ever heard of Beethoven's 9th? Or Mozart Requiem in D minor?

justa girl wrote:

pink panther wrote:

More likely than not, he's just a lame poser.

Pics?

This is him.

http://oi61.tinypic.com/16batzq.jpg

I like the way his face matches his shirt.

The man's got style.