A musical detour from rock anthems to orchestral surprises — and why I’m loving it

Classical music was never part of my childhood soundtrack. I never watched Leonard Bernstein’s Young People’s Concerts. My family visited the Art Institute of Chicago often, but we never once stepped inside Orchestra Hall. The LPs in my parents’ cabinet were all show tunes, Allan Sherman parodies, and Sing Along With Mitch. Everything I know about opera I learned from the World Book Encyclopedia while preparing for Jeopardy! But for the last month, I’ve taken a deep dive into classical music. Here’s why.

Recently, I revived my morning workout routine: climbing a never-ending flight of stairs on the elliptical in the basement. My constant companion for these cardio-crushing challenges has always been classic rock, whether it comes from my CDs or from satellite radio. I fit my headphones over my ears, close my eyes, and push through as the minutes roll by. But lately, I’ve been bored with all that Pink Floyd, Bruce Springsteen, and Steely Dan. It was time for a change.

Scrolling through the stations on SiriusXM, I decided to try Classical Pops. I didn’t expect much, just something mellow to fill the background. But within minutes, I was hooked.

To be honest, I’m not even sure what I’m listening to. I don’t know who the composers are, where the orchestras are from, or who the conductors might be. Am I hearing a symphony movement, a fugue, an étude? I can’t tell, and it doesn’t matter. It sounds good, it’s got a good beat, and I don’t even care if I can’t dance to it.

And I’m amazed at how much of it sounds familiar. I’ll hear a melody, and suddenly “A Whiter Shade of Pale” or an Emerson, Lake & Palmer riff pops into my head. Sometimes it’s more subtle, just a fragment that stirs up some half-forgotten tune from years ago.

The experience has been fun, and surprisingly mind- and ear-opening. I may conduct some research and learn more about this old genre I’ve newly discovered. And who knows? Next summer, I might even enjoy a symphony concert at Ravinia or the Petrillo Bandshell.

And as for my usual music? It’ll still be there when I want it. As Bob Seger told us, rock and roll never forgets.