Speaker A. I find it very difficult to do something in complete silence. I need some pleasant noise when I read, study or do household chores. In my opinion, classical music is best for intellectual activity. And it has to be instrumental. No singing. Just something quiet and meditative. Like Debussy or Bach. Classical music is a perfect way to create a nice working atmosphere.

Speaker B. What a mistake parents make when they teach their children to play a musical instrument! I was one of such poor, unfortunate kids. Do you think it made me like classical music? Ha! I hate it! All those hours of torture when you have to practice, practice  — and for what? To go on stage and play it once a year and make a spectacle of yourself if you happen to make a mistake that ruins the whole performance?

Speaker C. I don’t know how some people can do things like reading while classical music is playing. For me it’s impossible. I immediately stop understanding what I’m reading and start actively listening to the music. A good piece of music is like a good story. Especially something like Beethoven’s sonatas or Rachmaninov’s concertos. There’s so much happening in them, that eventually I find myself crying and laughing and feeling all sorts of emotions.

Speaker D. Nowadays, teaching children how to play a musical instrument is not as popular as it used to be. I think it’s a shame that people don’t see much point in it. Of course, you have to have a lot of talent to become a real musician and actually make a living out of it. But it is known that children who study classical music seriously, do a lot better at school in all subjects. Learning to play a musical instrument teaches you how to be patient, hard-⁠working and diligent. And it develops your brain.

Speaker E. You won’t catch me watching a baseball match or soccer. I don’t find it exciting. What I do find exciting, though, is following music competitions. If they happen to be when I have a vacation, I spend days listening to the performers and writing down my impressions. And then I watch them win or lose. It’s also exciting to follow the careers of the winners. Many of them become famous. And it’s pleasant to think that I’ve seen them at the very rise of their careers.

Speaker F. I would like my children to learn how to play a musical instrument but nowadays it is so expensive! A good instrument as small as a flute costs about a thousand dollars if not more, let alone a piano or a violin. And then  — the music lessons! Another thing is, it is such a commitment! You have to always make sure that your child practices long enough to prepare for exams. And then  — after all these sacrifices and efforts  — they choose some other profession! So what’s the point?