The day before the announcement of her fourth studio album Lux, Rosalía shared a teaser on Instagram, accompanied by classical music playing in the background. The snippet provided a glimpse of her upcoming sound, with the opening of the lead single “Berghain” featuring violins followed by a choir.
The Spanish pop sensation, who is classically trained herself, collaborated with the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) on the album, sparking discussions about how her work could introduce a new generation of young listeners to classical music.
While Lux has definitely brought classical sounds into mainstream pop, it appears that many young people were already familiar with the genre. Fifteen-year-old Si, speaking to BBC Newsbeat at the LSO East London Academy, a free programme for 11 to 18-year-olds to learn an instrument, says, “I think a lot of people say classical music is boring, but when I’m playing it… I feel like I want to continue because it’s just really fun.” Si adds that Rosalía’s album has left her feeling “really inspired.” “It’s really cool to see modern music become more creative, and having classical instruments in pop music is a lot of fun.”
While Rosalía is not the first pop artist to incorporate orchestral elements into their work, her album has certainly sparked a broader conversation. Hattie Butterworth, a cellist and editor of Choir & Organ and Opera Now, believes more pop stars are turning to classical music. “Artists are more inherently connected to their musicality,” she explains, “and audiences respond to that.” Authenticity is key for modern listeners, and knowing that an artist has a classical background—whether in singing, clarinet, or orchestral instruments—adds an extra layer of credibility to their work.
TikTok data also shows a growing interest in classical music. The #ClassicalMusic hashtag saw a 60% increase in use over the past year, and Rosalía’s tracks “La Perla” and “Berghain” have been featured in over 600,000 videos, generating three billion views. Influencers like organist Anna Lapwood, who has 1.4 million followers, are helping to make classical music more accessible to a wider, younger audience.
However, despite the increasing popularity of classical music on social media, some young listeners still feel that the genre can be “exclusive and unwelcoming.” A survey conducted by TikTok in September 2023 revealed that 35% of respondents aged 16 to 25 expressed these feelings. This sentiment is shared by Iyannah, 18, a cellist at the LSO East Academy who’s been playing the instrument since she was 11. Initially, Iyannah “kind of hated” the cello but grew to love it over time. She also believes that access to classical music can be limited by privilege, citing that many musicians come from wealthier backgrounds.
“Seeing more people from ethnic minorities play music creates a sense of community,” she says, “and that helps me keep playing.”
Thanks to the LSO East Academy, Iyannah feels more encouraged to pursue a career in music. One day, young musicians like her could end up performing alongside international stars like Rosalía. In fact, one member of the LSO, Belinda McFarlane (known as Bindi), who has been with the orchestra for 35 years, played a role in recording with Rosalía.
Bindi recalls how thrilling it was to hear how Rosalía wove the classical music recorded by the orchestra into her tracks. “The finished product was fantastic,” she says. “Her ideas were present throughout the recording sessions, and it was such a thrill to work with her.”
Rosalía’s impact continues to resonate, showing that the fusion of classical music and contemporary pop can inspire a new generation of musicians and listeners alike.