The day prior to the announcement of her fourth studio album, Lux, Rosalía shared a video on Instagram featuring classical music in the background.

This served as a sneak peek into the sound of her upcoming release. The opening of the album’s lead single, “Berghain,” features violins complemented by choral harmonies.

The renowned Spanish artist, who has received classical training, teamed up with the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) for this project.

This collaboration has led to speculation that it might inspire a new generation of youth to appreciate classical music. However, as BBC Newsbeat discovered, many young listeners were already familiar with it.

“I think a lot of people say, ‘Oh, classical music is so dull,'” remarked 15-year-old Si.

“But when I’m listening to classical pieces… it makes me want to keep going because it’s genuinely enjoyable.”

Si spoke to BBC Newsbeat at the LSO East London Academy, which provides opportunities for 11 to 18-year-olds to learn how to play an instrument.

This initiative is offered free of charge, with guidance from professional musicians.

Si mentioned that listening to Rosalía’s album has left him feeling “incredibly inspired.”

“It’s exciting to see contemporary music become more inventive and break away from the traditional pop mold,” he explained.

“Incorporating these classical instruments into modern tracks is simply more enjoyable.”

While Rosalía’s album has sparked a broader dialogue about classical music and engaged younger audiences, she’s not the first pop musician to integrate orchestral elements into her work.

Hattie Butterworth, a cellist and editor of Choir & Organ and Opera Now magazines, believes an increasing number of pop artists are showing interest in classical influences.

“I think there’s a deeper connection between artists and their musicality that resonates with audiences,” she stated.

In today’s music scene, authenticity matters greatly, and Hattie suggested that this could be a factor in the growing interest.

“When fans know an artist has a background in instrumental or vocal training, it lends additional credibility to their music.”

According to TikTok, Rosalía’s Lux has sparked a surge in content creation on the platform, with key tracks such as “La Perla” and “Berghain” featured in 600,000 posts, resulting in three billion views.

However, evidence indicates that segments of the audience had prior knowledge of classical music.

TikTok reported a 60% increase in the use of the ClassicalMusic hashtag over the last year.

Some creators, like organist Anna Lapwood, who shares her performances with her 1.4 million followers, have become their own social media sensations.

Yet, research conducted in September by TikTok, based on a survey of 1,001 UK respondents aged 16 to 25, revealed that 35% felt classical music could often seem “exclusive and uninviting.”

Ayanna, an 18-year-old member of the LSO East Academy and a cellist since age 11, expressed that she understands this sentiment.

Initially, she admits she “kind of disliked” the cello when she began practicing, but her appreciation grew as she became immersed in its sound.

“Once you dive into how beautiful it is, it shifts your perception,” she shared.

“Now, I aspire to build a career in music.”

Ayanna feels that achieving this may pose challenges.

“You need substantial financial resources, and often many musicians come from wealthier backgrounds,” she noted.

“The music scene can be ethnically biased, and it often seems that privilege plays a role in accessibility.”

However, she believes that being part of the Academy and seeing a diverse range of young people engage with classical music motivates her to continue playing.

“Witnessing more individuals from ethnic minorities participating in music fosters a sense of community,” she noted.

It’s conceivable that aspiring musicians like Ayanna might one day perform alongside an international pop star—just as one LSO member shared with Newsbeat.

Belinda McFarlane, known as Bindi, a second violinist who has been with the orchestra for 35 years, collaborated with Rosalía in the studio. She mentioned that due to the recording process, they only heard snippets of the songs.

“The final product was exhilarating to listen to,” Bindi expressed.

“It was incredible to see how Rosalía integrated our recordings into her tracks. It’s truly an outstanding album.”

She added that meeting Rosalía was “wonderful.”

“She was present during the sessions, openly sharing her ideas and was genuinely warm,” Bindi recalled.

“I’m not sure if she’ll remember my name, but it was undeniably thrilling to collaborate with her.”