TikTok has become one of the most popular social media platforms, with over 1 billion monthly active users as of September 2021 (source). The app is known for its short videos set to music, sparking viral trends and dance challenges. Music is central to the TikTok experience.
Recently, a new music trend has emerged on TikTok featuring dramatic classical music pieces. Videos featuring classical tracks from composers like Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, and Vivaldi have gone viral. The classical music adds an epic, cinematic feel to everyday videos. This unlikely combination of classical music and modern internet culture has resonated with TikTok users, with classical music videos generating billions of views.
Brief History of TikTok
TikTok originally launched in China in September 2016 under the name Douyin ([Source 1]). The app was created by ByteDance, a Beijing-based tech company founded in 2012. Douyin quickly gained popularity in China for its short-form videos and built-in editing tools that allowed users to create and share fun videos easily.
In 2017, ByteDance launched a global version of the app called TikTok. This allowed the platform to expand outside of China. TikTok retained the key features of Douyin but was marketed as a separate app ([Source 1]).
Within a year of launching, TikTok became one of the most downloaded apps globally. By mid-2018, it had been downloaded over 104 million times on the App Store and Google Play ([Source 2]). A big part of its success was its popularity among teenagers and young adults who enjoyed creating and sharing short videos on the platform.
Why Classical Music Works Well on TikTok
Classical music is uniquely suited for the short video format of TikTok. Most classical pieces have distinct melodies and dramatic moments that can be highlighted in short excerpts. As TikTok videos are limited to 3 minutes, it is easy for creators to select the most iconic sections of longer classical works to feature in their videos.
The melodic and emotional nature of classical music elicits strong reactions from listeners, making it perfect for TikTok trends and challenges. Catchy melodies get stuck in viewers’ heads, while dramatic swells and thundering finales evoke goosebumps. According to a viral Reddit thread, classical music’s dynamic shifts work well with the quick cuts between TikTok scenes[1]. These emotional elements help classical music stand out on TikTok.
Many TikTok creators use short classical excerpts as background music, allowing the dramatic qualities to elevate their videos. The striking melodies and emotional resonance make classical music impactful even in 15 to 60 second clips. This adaptability to short formats gives classical music mass appeal on TikTok.
Top Classical Pieces on TikTok
Some of the most popular classical pieces that have gone viral on TikTok include:
Flight of the Bumblebee – This frenetically fast piece for violin was written by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov in 1900. Short segments set to fast-motion videos or dance trends have become very popular on TikTok (TikTok Classical Music – Compilation).
Moonlight Sonata – The haunting first movement of Beethoven’s piano sonata op. 27 no. 2 is frequently used for emotional and melancholic TikTok clips (TikTok Classical Music).
Canon in D – Pachelbel’s iconic Baroque piece for strings lends itself perfectly to wedding videos and other romantic content on TikTok.
Four Seasons – Antonio Vivaldi’s instantly recognizable violin concertos depicting spring, summer, fall, and winter are utilized in creative videos matching the mood of each season.
Clair de Lune – This dreamlike piano work by Claude Debussy is popular for late night Drives and lush cinematic videos (TikTok Classical Hits).
Noteworthy Examples
A few classical musicians have gone viral on TikTok for their comedic videos or impressive performances. Violinist Jessica Hershberg gained popularity for creating funny skits about life as a classical musician. Her videos showcase the realities of practicing, auditioning, and performing, with plenty of relatable jokes for fellow musicians. Many of Hershberg’s videos have garnered millions of views.
Violinist Charles Yang has also achieved viral fame on the app, wowing viewers with his energetic, rhythmic performances of Paganini and other virtuosic showpieces. His unique style and choreographed violin routines have earned him over 330,000 followers.
Other prominent classical musicians on TikTok include cellist Zoe Moon, violinist Ray Chen, and pianist Tiffany Poon, all of whom mix humor and behind-the-scenes content with their musical performances. Overall, TikTok has allowed these artists to showcase their talents and connect with broad new fanbases in creative ways not possible on other platforms.
Impact on Classical Music
TikTok has had a significant impact on classical music by introducing the genre to a new, younger audience. As pieces go viral on the platform, many teenagers and young adults are hearing classical compositions for the first time.
According to an article by Mordents, “The video sharing social network TikTok contributed greatly to the ”revival” of classical music as well. Some of its influencers, the TikTokers, began using classical pieces as background music for their videos, thus making them known to a wider, and especially younger, audience.”
When a classical piece gains popularity on TikTok, streaming numbers for the song also increase dramatically. For example, according to TikTok’s newsroom, streams of Keith Jarrett’s Köln Concert soared by 2500% after it was used in a viral dance routine.
This exposure is introducing classical music to new demographics that may not have listened to or appreciated it before. By making classical more accessible and relatable, TikTok is ensuring the genre remains relevant for younger generations.
Criticisms and Concerns
While the rise in popularity of classical music on TikTok has been praised by many, it has also faced some criticisms and raised certain concerns.
One of the main criticisms is that short, out-of-context TikTok videos can oversimplify complex classical works. Pieces that were intricately composed to be appreciated in their entirety are reduced to brief snippets that highlight just one catchy melody or moving passage. Some fear this may give listeners a limited perspective and inhibit a deeper understanding and appreciation of the music. There are concerns that exposure may remain superficial without proper context provided (1).
There have also been questions raised about copyright and licensing on TikTok. While many classical works are in the public domain, more recent compositions may still be under copyright. There is uncertainty around how copyright is handled when short clips are re-shared or remixed on the platform. Some have brought up issues around properly crediting composers, questioning if short TikTok videos undermine intellectual property rights (2).
While platforms like TikTok have made classical music more accessible, some argue its presentation requires careful consideration to maintain the integrity and depth of this complex art form (3). There is hope that exposure leads to further exploration, while cautioning against oversimplification. Ongoing discussions continue around how to balance wider reach with nuanced understanding.
(1) https://mordents.com/the-revival-of-classical-music-on-tiktok-between-dark-academia-and-cottagecore/
(2) https://www.tiktok.com/@choirwithmsh/video/6885896349527674117?lang=en
(3) https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/21/arts/music/popcast-tiktok-music-critics-2021.html
TikTok Features that Boost Popularity
Several key features of TikTok make it easy for classical music to gain exposure and go viral on the platform. According to TikTok’s creator portal, playlists highlight trending sounds that can give songs more visibility.
Duets and stitches allow users to put their own creative spin on existing videos featuring classical music. As the TikTok support site explains, duets play the original video side-by-side with the new duet video, while stitches show parts of the original video in the new stitched video.
Sounds and hashtags also make classical songs more discoverable on TikTok. Users can search by sound or hashtag to find other videos featuring the same music or theme. As reported by Variety, this enables trends to spread rapidly as new creators jump on viral sounds.
Advice for Classical Musicians
With the rise of classical music on TikTok, more musicians are looking for tips on how to optimize their content. Here is some advice for arranging music and optimizing videos specifically for TikTok:
When arranging music for short TikTok videos, focus on recognizable melodies that will quickly grab the viewer’s attention. Choose short musical passages that can make an impact within 15-60 seconds. Looping or repeating sections can help extend short melodies. Also consider adding modern beats or instruments to give a fresh take on classical melodies.
To optimize videos for the TikTok algorithm, use relevant hashtags like #classicalmusic #piano #violin #cello. Engage viewers by looking into the camera or adding text captions. Use trending sounds and duet popular classical videos. Post consistently and analyze data to see what content resonates best. Leverage TikTok’s built-in editing to splice multiple takes into one polished video.
Check out tips from successful classical musicians on TikTok like @bastianosis on how to grow your audience and creatively arrange classical music for viral videos.
The Future of the Trend
Many predict that the popularity of classical music on TikTok is likely to introduce classical genres to new, younger demographics who may not have previously explored it. By putting a modern spin on classical pieces through remixes, duets, challenges and other TikTok trends, Generation Z is rediscovering these timeless melodies in an entirely new context.
This viral trend could have a significant impact on the future of classical music streaming and live concerts. As more young people are exposed to and become fans of the classics on TikTok, streaming services may see an uptick in listeners seeking out full orchestral recordings. Venues like symphony halls and opera houses could potentially draw bigger crowds and younger attendees thanks to TikTok’s influence.
While the long-term effects remain to be seen, the classical music renaissance on TikTok provides an exciting opportunity to pass on these cherished compositions to the next generation. By making classical music more accessible, TikTok may play a key role in ensuring these masterpieces continue to be appreciated for years to come.
