When asked our favorite genre of music, most of us don’t reply with classical music. Classical music may seem boring or bland to some because of its usual lack of lyrics and modern beat. However, a few modern artists take classical music in a different direction by adding some of the characteristics of modern music to their own or original compositions.
Lindsey Stirling
According to the New York Times, violinist Lindsey Stirling remains one of the most popular modern classical instrument players today. Most known for her success on the TV show “America’s Got Talent” and popular Youtube channel, Lindsey both composes and covers many genres of music while she dances simultaneously. Although she likes to perform covers of many popular songs like “All of Me” by John Legend and the “Game of Thrones” theme, she also creates music of her own. Some of her albums include Artemis, Warmer in the Winter, Brave Enough and Under One Sky.
2Cellos
Known for their viral Youtube cover of “Smooth Criminal,” Luka Šulić and Stjepan Hauser, or 2Cellos, love to rock out. Although they play many other types of music, Šulić and Hauser enjoy playing rock the most. In an article with PBS, Hauser admitted to performing rock because listeners have a hard time listening to classical music. “The problem with classical music are the performers that are not really delivering it in the right way,” he said. “ They don’t connect with the audience. Too many rules, too dry, too many walls between artist and the audience.” When the duo is not performing Nirvana, Mumford and Sons or U2, they compose music of their own. A few 2Cellos albums include: Score, Celloverse, In2ition and Let There Be Cello.
Black Violin
Born and bred in Fort Lauderdale, duo Black Violin hope to break down stereotypes in both race and music through their notes. Made up of a violist, Wil Baptiste and violinist, Kev Marcus, Black Violin takes music in a more hip-hop direction while also showing their audience that looks don’t matter when doing something you love. In an interview with PBS, “If you look at us, we don’t look like your typical violinists,” Baptiste said. “We talk to the kids all the time, and the kids love us just because we can relate to them, so to speak. And that’s what it’s all about, breaking stereotypes.” Because they are from Fort Lauderdale, the duo does make an appearance here whenever they are on tour. Black Violin will perform at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts Feb. 21 of this year. Their performance will include songs from their two albums, Stereotypes and Classically Trained, as well as an improv performance.
