In the eyes of many, classical music is seen as profound and obscure.

Across the daunting mountains of music theory, European history, and concert etiquette, people often feel excluded from the "aloof" world of classical music, with even distant appreciation seeming difficult to attain.

The current approach to popularizing classical music faces challenges. Educators tend to elevate it to a lofty, specialized status, making it appear complex and inaccessible. This portrayal can leave the public thinking it's 'difficult to listen to, dry, and boring,' thus deterring further engagement.

Facing this situation, classical musicians repeatedly emphasize that classical music is not "aloof." It has its warmth, with each note pulsating with fervent and sincere emotions. Classical music masters are not all impoverished, short-lived, lonely figures; they are full of personality, each an interesting soul.

Why do people perceive classical music as "aloof" and daunting? It's because of several misconceptions about classical music. While people listen to pop music for entertainment, enjoyment, and relaxation, listening to classical music often comes with the purpose of learning and education.

Some think that listening to pop music is like buying a drink, based on personal preferences, while listening to classical music is like buying medicine, requiring guidance from a doctor. However, this is not the case.

The function of classical music is by no means to educate sternly. Those famous classical musicians are humans, not "gods"; they also have their likes and dislikes, engaging in gossip and sarcasm with their peers, not flawless beings.

Past movements to deify classical musicians were actually detrimental to popularizing classical music. This approach leads people to perceive classical music not as a friendly conversation with a neighbor but as a divine decree, distancing many from it.

The charm of classical music is boundless. Besides being pleasing to the ear, it conveys subtle, rich, and indescribable emotions and feelings. To appreciate classical music, we need not the guidance of "experts" but the companionship of "kindred spirits"; not the imparting of "knowledge" but the experience of "emotion."

To appreciate classical music is to understand the composer's true temperament, rather than reciting their birth and death dates or categorizing them into classical or romantic periods. Memorizing vast amounts of classical music knowledge but failing to truly experience the pieces and understand the composer's inner world is regrettable.

Treating classical music as a profession is different from treating it as a hobby. Professional classical musicians don't practice pieces based on mood like enthusiasts; they usually have task-oriented practices, similar to doing homework assigned by a teacher.

Of course, rigorous and tedious training doesn't mean it's dull. Truly professional performers have loved classical music all their lives, finding deeper interest and meaning the more they delve into it. The saying "play a composer's piece a thousand times, and the composer will appear to chat with you" is not entirely a joke.

Through thoroughly practicing a piece, the emotions hidden behind the notes gradually become clearer, offering a more direct insight into the composer's temperament and personality, which may differ from their everyday selves.

In savoring classical music, we may discover that the seemingly unapproachable world of music actually harbors rich and warm emotions. Instead of being misled, it's better to let go of preconceptions, to earnestly feel the emotional flow between notes, and to engage in a dialogue with the composer's soul.

Classical music is not aloof; it is brimming with humanity and emotion, waiting for us to comprehend, enjoy, and experience it. May everyone who steps into the world of classical music find their musical journey, enriching and enlightening their souls.