Are You Afraid of Classical Music?

When I was a child, there was a television program on Brazilian public broadcasting called Are You Afraid of Classical Music? In it, a conductor broke down great works of classical music. He presented complex ideas so clearly that even I, a six-year-old boy, could understand them. After each explanation came a superb performance of the piece. Another gift of my childhood was the conservatory just two blocks from our house that offered magnificent concerts free of charge. These two experiences contributed greatly to my early classical music appreciation. 

Years later, when I became a conductor, I decided to bring both elements together: explaining complex concepts in simple words aiming at heightening the audience’s appreciation and offering free concerts. I have been using this model since 2013.

Why?

Because I learned that fear arises for many and varied reasons—ignorance, despondence, arrogance, risk assessment, cowardice, and more. Fear of something good, however, has one reason only: lack of familiarity. How could it even be possible that someone is afraid of classical music? To me, someone immersed in classical music since my cozy time in my mother’s womb, this fear was utterly irrational. I decided then to dedicate my life to help people overcome this fear by teaching and performing. And that’s what we will be doing this evening. We will break down four major classics of classical music for you to better appreciate this supreme art form! Classical music is not just entertainment; it is a portal to transcendence, a portal to remind us that we have an eternal soul and that that same soul needs nourishment with something that is far beyond our material realities.