Classical music goes viral: memeings and meanings of classical music in the wake of Coronavirus

Abstract

In an ongoing research project, I study representations and negotiations of classical music in social media, focusing specifically on content and sharing of internet memes. As a rich and diverse genre of digital folklore, memes are today an integrated part also in popular discourses on classical music. Memes provide users with resources in interaction relating to aesthetics, historical canon, musical theoretical knowledge, career and professional life among other things. During the Coronavirus pandemic, classical music memes commenting on different aspects of the outbreak give insight into how online classical music communities meme and make sense (and nonsense) of the pandemic within a classical music framework. In my article I will discuss classical music memes relating to the Coronavirus in terms of newslore – that is, as folklore that comments on current events – and as a way to playfully expose knowledge of and stance towards different aspects of classical music, the global pandemic and the rules and recommendations of authorities. To conclude, the article suggests that a key function in these memes is their capacity to – in an often humoristic fashion – blend together passed down knowledge, competence and experience from the classical music world with extraordinary current conditions affecting people globally.