Close up of three coloured CD overlapping each other on a white background

Went To A Classical CD Concert

27th February 2024 - New Experience Number 3.

Now in my seventh year of trying fifty-two new things, I’m sure I’ve never come across a classical CD concert when I’ve been researching things to add to my list. When I saw a poster in a window advertising it, I thought I’d go along and find out what happens.

Are You Listening?

When did you last listen to music? I mean really listen to music? To give it your complete focus and attention and not have it on in the background whilst you’re doing something else?

Sitting in a room in silence listening to classical music may sound like a dull way to spend a few hours to some people, but it was an incredibly surprising experience with some unexpected side effects.

So What Actually Is A Classical CD Concert?

It is exactly as it sounds. It’s a classical CD played in a venue to a group of listeners, with conversational notes about the pieces heard, and a coffee and biscuit break half way through.

The session that I went to wasn’t at all stuffy, or high brow, it was just a relaxed group listening to some music together, without judgement or expectation, and it was fab!

Close up of a flyer which has details about the classical CD concert in York
A regular meet up for some shared listening

I'm Not The Biggest Fan Of Classical Music

I’d say I’m indifferent. I don’t mind classical music, I would rarely choose to actively listen to it, but I wouldn’t be offended if it came on. Country and Western music however is one I’ll always turn off. Sorry if that’s your favourite!

Having said that, I do really like the music of Hans Zimmer. He’s written countless film scores, and he also wrote the 80s quiz show theme tune for Going For Gold – slightly different from the epic cinematic soundscapes he’s created! 

While there is a lot of correlation between the work of Hans and classical music, apparently his compositions usually fall under the umbrella term of orchestral pop music. That’s a new genre for me!

Cosy Venue

This particular Tuesday in February had brought a chill with it and the clouds showed no signs of ending their tight knit huddle to let the sun peer through. It was cosy inside the venue where a coal fire crackled in a corner and a handful of comfy chairs were set up in rows. There was no doubt that this was the Music Room, as the seats were all facing the biggest domestic speakers I have ever seen. They were almost as tall as me!

Five regulars enthusiastically welcomed me. Apparently they don’t get many new people turning up which is such a shame as they were all so friendly. I took a seat and got to know them before the session began.

Looking from the back of a room across the top of some chairs to a pair of big speakers infront of a pair of drawn curtains.
A cosy venue for listening to some classical music

Conducting The Classical CD Concert

Starting with an introduction from our host Neal who had curated the playlist, he regaled us with facts and stories about the composers we would be listening to; Shostakovich, Rosetti and Sibelius.

He shared nuggets of information with us about each of the pieces of music we listened to, including how the war impacted later compositions from the same writer, the difference the conductor made to the performance, and how some composers changed their names to sound more flourishing and important.

It made me stop and think about how remarkable the act of writing a symphony really is with so many moving parts, and how it takes such a large number of people to make it come to life.

Close up of a sign that reads Music Room, on a white wooden door, indicating the venue for the Classical CD Concert
No mistaking where the concert would be happening

Unexpected Consequences

The thing I loved about the concert, was how it brought about two brilliant things. So not only was it about listening to some classical music, it also had two beneficial consequences.

Mindfulness

Flowing out of the gigantic speakers, the crisp sounds of the recorded instruments floated around the room.

I don’t think I’d really appreciated that this was going to be a good mindful activity until I noticed that my mind was flitting around thinking about the steps of the recipe I was making for tea, and then compiling a to-do list for the next day. 

I managed to catch those thoughts and bring my attention back to the soaring melodies and lilting notes. This happened a few times throughout the session, which I think happens to most of us, but it was good to be aware of it so I could try and return to be in the moment.

Close up of a gold CD on a white background
Really focusing on the music was great for practicing mindfulness and creative thinking

Creative Thinking

It’s rare that we hear music without any context. We’ll often know what the performers look like through promotional materials, videos, and concerts, and that probably sways how we think about the track.

Songs with lyrics provide us with cues that will evoke certain feelings, and videos deliver a visual representation of songs which will impact how we interpret them. Seeing an orchestra perform is brilliant for identifying which instrument plays which part, yet again, it’s some visual reference for us whilst we listen.

So simply listening to music, just the pure music without any moving images, without words, and without any prior knowledge felt unusually liberating and surprisingly creative.

To me, the music had personalities, with different emotive characteristics that seeped through the melody and rhythm. Maybe I’ve been influenced by films, and familiar sounds and melodies that accompany certain types of scenes? Maybe everyone interprets it differently, but it’s good to let that part of the brain off the leash for a while.

As the symphonic sounds permeated my ears, my minds eye conjured imagery to the tone and tempo, creating visual stories to accompany the concert.

Would I Go To A Classical CD Concert Again?

I can definitely see myself going back again in the future.

There’s no right or wrong way to do this.

The opportunity to give the thinking mind a bit of a break, well, attempt to give it a break, was really nice.

I really liked interpreting the music completely free of any direction from anyone or anything, and letting my mind decipher it however it wanted to.

The knowledge and passion shared by Neal was so lovely. His enthusiasm was hard to resist.

It had been a very inviting two hours that had been so much more than just listening to classical music.

Want To Try It Yourself?

  • The Classical CD Concert that I went to takes place every Tuesday afternoon at Guppy’s Enterprise Club. Take a look at the website for further details.

  • This new thing is very niche. I’ve had a look on-line, and nothing has cropped up suggesting similar events are held anywhere. Keep an eye out on eventbrite and in your local area to see if anything like the classical CD concert is happening near you.

  • Alternatively you could perhaps look into organising an event yourself?

  • You can of course always put some classical music on at home, but it may be hard to fully focus when there are so many familiar distractions.

Cost Of Experience

  • This cost £5 per person for the session. 
  • Hot drinks were an additional optional extra

Recommendations

  • Keep an open mind. You may think classical music isn’t for you, but there is such a vast amount of music in the genre, you never know, you might find some that you like. 
  • Try to focus on the music, but don’t beat yourself up if you find your mind wanders. 
  • Don’t forget to take a picture if you give it a go!

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