Younger generations are powering a classical music resurgence

Classical music may be the new “it” girl. Thanks to the genre's rise in pop culture, Gen Z and younger millennials are significantly more likely to listen to classical music than their older counterparts.

Researchers say the trend began in 2020, when pandemic lockdowns forced the world inside and onto our phones. Classical music took over TikTok, offering a peaceful escape from reality at a time of uncertainty.

Per a 2022 study of 2,000 people by the UK’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra:

• 65% of people under 35 years old listened to orchestral music on a regular basis (a 6% increase from 2018), compared to 57% of those over 55 who said the same.
• Common times people under 35 listened to the genre: when cooking (the most common), working, exercising, in the bath, going to sleep, and/or waking up.

It’s everywhere: In addition to TikTok, Spotify and Apple Music have made classical music more accessible. And the genre has bled its way into popular shows, such as Bridgerton and Squid Game – which may be fitting given the drama its resurgence has caused.

• Some artists are frustrated with this neoclassical wave, claiming the pieces being composed for media and TV are oversimplified and not accurate to the art form.

🖐️ But… This may be exactly why it's so attractive to young listeners. According to Miller’s Music: “[Neoclassical] may be suited to a generation known for having multiple sources of media playing at once, and who famously are developing a shorter attention span.”