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With the rise of pop music in the last several decades, most of what we hear on the radio these days is meant to make the listener feel good. Even songs that deal with heavy subjects are often composed with infectious hooks, memorable melodies and catchy choruses. The chords follow established progressions, the harmonies are always consonant, and the music itself is designed to be pleasing to the senses.
I've recently been revisiting several pieces of iconic classical music, especially operatic works. As I listen to various compositions from rising action scenes or the climax of a story, it occurs to me that much of the music is meant to convey a sense of surprise, horror, suspense, or sadness. Dissonant tones clash with each other; strange timings and tempos keep the listener on his toes; crashing cymbals and sudden trumpet reports catch the listener off guard; tremolo violins create a sense of stress; thundering stings release the tension, but not always in a way that brings relief.
The art of evoking emotions via music is still a staple of movies and TV today, but outside of a theme song, the music itself is almost never a focus. Few people go to concerts just to hear the soundtrack of a TV show--often the music is purchased in bulk from a production music company and isn't meant to be special at all.
I find it quite interesting that many classical works evoke negative emotions in the listener. It's a stark contrast to the world we live in today, where our airwaves and Spotify playlists are filled only with feel-good musicianship.
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[Last updated: 2022-03-07]