Pop song writer calls on pop musicians to embrace classical music

Renowned singer-songwriter Xiao Ke has called on Chinese pop song composers to learn to appreciate classic music so it can help to inspire their creations.

"Pop music composers who lack the necessary knowledge in classic music should be blamed for the stagnancy and severe shortage of innovation in pop music development in China," Xiao Ke said during a recent afternoon concert at the ongoing Beijing Music Festival.

Xiao Ke believes pop musicians needed to learn how to appreciate classical music just as writers need to study ancient Chinese as a prerequisite for learning about modern Chinese literature. He also thinks that an appreciation of classical music should be fostered in young audiences.

"We've seen TV and radio stations as well as online platforms becoming active in promoting classic music, but they have no specific target audience. I think a large target audience should be the teens that might benefit from learning to appreciate classic music and an improvement in their aesthetic values."

A young girl learns to play the violin. [File Photo: VCG]

Xiao Ke's concert is one of a series of three innovative afternoon concerts that are part of this year's Beijing Music Festival. The pianist Zuo Zhang (左章) and the violinist Chen Xi (陈曦) were invited to the concert along with Xiao Ke to promote classical music.