Which Musicians Will Be Played 200 Years from Now?

The music we listen to today is just a snapshot of the vast tapestry of human creative expression. As we stand at the threshold of 21st-century music, it’s fascinating to speculate which musicians of today will be celebrated 200 years from now. This article delves into the enduring legacy of ancient and classical musicians and explores what might influence the music of the future.

Persistence of Ancient Musicians

Let’s start by examining which musicians from the distant past are still played today. It’s remarkable how favorably contemporary times view ancient music compared to even the recent past, as music enthusiasts have access to a broader range of genres and composers. As a classical music enthusiast in my early sixties, I recall a time when Baroque music by J.S. Bach and others were seen as “ancient” in record stores. Even older music, like Renaissance and Medieval pieces, were almost non-existent in mainstream releases. Now, I can choose from multiple versions of Josquin des Prez’s L’homme Armé mass, which I only knew from historical references.

Early Baroque and Late Renaissance Composers

Let’s take a closer look at some of the very early Baroque and late Renaissance composers who are still recognized today:

Monteverdi (1567-1643): A pioneer of opera, Monteverdi was born 456 years ago and died 380 years ago. Lully (1632-1687): Born in Italy and famous in France, Lully was born 391 years ago and died 336 years ago. Buxtehude (1637-1707): The star of early Baroque Germany, Buxtehude was born 386 years ago and died 316 years ago. Corelli (1653-1713): A prominent figure in early Baroque music, Corelli was born 370 years ago and died 310 years ago. Purcell (1659-1695): The king of British early Baroque music, Purcell was born 364 years ago and died 328 years ago.

Although these composers are not as widely popular today as they once were, every classical music fan knows their names and a handful of their works. They have been and continue to be part of the musical canon.

Top Composers and Musical Forms

During their lifetimes, Monteverdi, Lully, Buxtehude, Corelli, and Purcell were among the top stars of their respective regions and time periods. Monteverdi was instrumental in the development of opera, Lully was France’s most famous composer, and Buxtehude was considered the star of early Baroque Germany. A young J.S. Bach traveled 400 km on foot to hear Buxtehude play. Purcell, meanwhile, was the center of British early Baroque music.

Given this, we can expect that only the very top composers of their time, whose musical forms are prevalent today, such as the “song” in the modern era, would be remembered in the future after a similar interval. But who will fill this role in the 20th and 21st centuries?

Modern Musicians and the Future

Considering today’s music, one might ask: Will rock music, pioneered by figures like the Beatles, become one of the dominant musical forms of the 20th century? It’s worth noting that most of the musicians from the distant past we know today were those who worked for kings and aristocrats, not popular musicians. The fate of modern popular musicians will largely depend on which current culture survives for 300 to 400 years from now.

For instance, the United States has only existed for about 250 years, so we can’t predict its cultural persistence just yet. European countries, however, have endured longer, albeit with multiple name and political changes. For example, when Monteverdi, Lully, and Corelli were active, what is today known as Italy did not exist as a political entity, but its cultural legacy continues to this day.

As we consider the future, the question remains: Which musicians will be celebrated not just by classical music lovers but by the broader public 200 years from now? Only time will tell, but it’s an intriguing thought to ponder.