Has YouTube Changed the Tone of Classical Music?

By James Chater 

It is hard to believe that the phenomenon that is YouTube has only existed for a mere eight years. In that short space of time, it has almost single-handedly revolutionised the way in which people across the planet access video footage, ranging from a montage of the weekend’s Premier League goals, to a toddler who responds animatedly to a Justin Bieber song. Some astonishing statistics published on their website proudly declare that over 6 billion hours of video are watched on YouTube every month, whilst some 100 hours of new footage is uploaded to the site every single minute. YouTube’s influence is unquestionable. But is YouTube’s effect on classical music wholly positive, or could it cause more harm than good?

Recently, I began to learn Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No.14, the “Moonlight Sonata”. Before approaching this instantly recognisable piece, I wanted to listen to a couple of professional recordings to gain insight into how the greatest artists were able to reinvent and rediscover this staple of the pianist’s repertoire. Typing the title into the search bar, a vast array of choices sprawled down the page and continued on for at least another seven. Inattentively, I clicked on the video that had the most views, (52 million of them) and naively expected the recording to be of good quality; however, and unfortunately, I was sorely mistaken.

I do not consider myself a snob when it comes to music, but I challenge anyone with a background in classical music to listen to this recording and find it a musical or even accurate interpretation. The end of nearly every bar line is languidly anticipated by a long rallentando, and instead of the melody in the right hand penetrating through the upper range of the texture, an electronically dubbed voice incessantly wails at the listener. “How can this video have so many hits?” I thought. Whilst I knew this piece was immensely popular, I couldn’t understand why this video was storming past 52 million hits, whereas the stunning interpretation by Wilhelm Kempf, a few options below, had a paltry 5 million. It then dawned on me, suddenly, that I had partly already answered my own question. Although not true of everyone, we live in a time where, for many people, personal opinion is a direct derivative of its public counterpart. Having seen that 52 million other people had watched the video meant that I automatically assumed that it would be of a high musical quality and have something pertinent to offer my own interpretation. I was wrong, but fortunately, I was soon able to find a pianist I admired with a more convincing interpretation.

To classical musicians, YouTube does have advantages yet commensurate disadvantages. It is both exciting that someone can upload a Beethoven Piano Sonata for free, but simultaneously worrying that it could be electronically created and therefore musically inaccurate. This example highlights an unpleasant paradox for the classical musician. Should we be concerned that the recording of this incredible piece that has received the most views is an appalling example, or should we be happy to be reconciled to the fact that such a large number of people have been exposed to this piece, regardless of the form it takes?

One of the biggest problems that YouTube poses to classical music, especially in relation to pieces such as the Moonlight Sonata, is that it could limit one of the greatest assets that classical music can offer; the ability for different interpretation. If everyone has been exposed to a single recording of a piece, it reduces the scope for critical discussion, debate and analysis of music, something that ultimately is crucial to each musician who wishes to better their understanding and appreciation of this art form.

However, I do believe that YouTube offers classical music a platform that is unrivalled in its ability to be accessed by the widest demographic possible, and is a tool that we should not resist but utilise in order to extend the reach of classical music. It is easy to forget that YouTube is still so young that it is impossible to analyse completely the effect that it can exert over any art form. After all, who knows how many unknowing first-time listeners of Beethoven were so enthralled by this recording that they excitedly clicked onto “Further suggestions”?

We would love to hear your thoughts on YouTube and classical music. Comment below or join in the discussion on our Facebook and Twitter pages. To learn more about Southern Sinfonia through YouTube, click here.