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The original was posted on /r/classicalmusic by /u/Few_screwsloose0_0 on 2023-10-04 20:33:09.

So I’m new to classical. Well…not really. I’ve been listening a bit my whole life, but only to short, extremely popular pieces. Like La Campanella, a bit of Chopin, Caprice No. 24, Fours Seasons etc.

But I’m new to the big-boy Classical, like symphonies and stuff. I really don’t get it. They’re so boring to me. The first time I heard Chopin’s Ballade No. 1 I thought “Oh, God this is 9 MINUTES LONG?” (I usually listen to pop) but now I’m supposed to sit through 50+ minutes of a long symphony?

Like right now I’m trying to sit through Shostskovitch’s 5th symphony. It’s 55 minutes long and I kid you not I almost fell asleep. It’s just so long, there’s no really catchy, easy to understand melody like there is in pop music. It’s so draining, and sometimes outright boring. The notes can be so long and drawn out, so I’m just wondering “What’s the point of this?” I REALLY want to like Classical music, but man, is it hard.

The whole point of music for me is for it to be enjoyable the entire way through, I just don’t understand why someone would deliberately write such a slow, long part. What’s the point of making an uninterestig part on purpose?

Is this normal for newcomers? Were any of you like this at first? Will I get more appreciative of it if I just spend more time listening to it? Please help. 🙏