What is Classical Music?

A beginner’s guide to classical music. Discover what classical music is, where it comes from, and how to get started enjoying it.

Defining Classical Music

Figuring out what classical music is can be a complex task, as the definition of classical music has changed over time. Classical music is generally considered to be any music that is composed by a composer, is written down in musical notation, and is performed by musicians.

The history of classical music

Classical music is a broad term that usually refers to the art music of Western culture. It encompasses a wide range of styles, from the simple chant of Medieval monks to the complex polyphonies of the Baroque era to the soaring melodies of the Romantic period.

In general, classical music is considered to be primarily instrumental, although there are some vocal works that are considered classics as well. The music is often divided into periods, with the earliest being Ancient Music, followed by the Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods.

Although classical music often conjures up images of long-haired composers sitting at their pianos in stuffy concert halls, the reality is that classical music encompasses a wide variety of styles and genres. Whether you’re a fan of Beethoven or Bach, Mozart or Mendelssohn, you can find something to suit your taste in classical music.

The elements of classical music

Classical music is a broad term that usually refers to Western musical traditions from the Middle Ages through the present. Many different styles are included under the classical umbrella, including Medieval music, Renaissance music, Baroque music, Classical period music, Romantic music, 20th-century classical music, and contemporary classical music.

Most of these styles are distinguished by specific elements that set them apart from other genres. For example, Baroque music heavily emphasizes ornate melody and counterpoint, while Classical period music tends to be more balanced and structurally complex.

While there is no single set of defining characteristics for all of classical music, there are certainly some common traits that many pieces in the genre share. Form and harmony are two of the most important elements in classical compositions. Many pieces are also notable for their use of counterpoint, which is the technique of writing two or more independent melodic lines that interact with each other simultaneously.

Instrumentation is another important element of classical music. The orchestra became a staple of Western composition during the Baroque era, and it has remained an important part of the genre ever since. The piano also became a hugely popular instrument during the Classical period, and it has held its place as one of the most commonly used instruments in classical pieces ever since.

The Different Types of Classical Music

Classical music is a genre of music that spans over a thousand years. It is characterized by its use of Complex chord progressions, counterpoint, and large-scale forms. There are four main types of classical music: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary.

Opera

Opera is a drama set to music. It is usually sung in a foreign language, with the dialogue spoken in between the musical numbers. There are two types of opera – comic opera and serious (or tragic) opera. In both cases, the music moves the story along and expresses the emotions of the characters. The word ‘opera’ comes from the Italian word for work, indicating that it is a collaborative effort between composer, librettist, singers, and orchestra.

Symphonies

A symphony is an extended musical composition in Western classical music, scored almost always for orchestra. A symphony is composed by one person, the composer. It is through the writing of symphonies that a composer can be said to have “arrived.” If a composer’s first symphony is successful, it can secure the composer’s reputation and open up opportunities for further commissions and employment.

The word “symphony” derives from Greek συμφωνία (symphōnia), meaning agreement or concord of sound. The word referred to a variety of different concepts before ultimately settling on its current meaning designating a musical form. Spartans used the word in their military marches, as did other Greek city-states such as Athens and Thebes. The word became part of Western classical vocabulary late in the 18th century to designate pieces lasting more than 10 minutes which occupied multiple movements (parts) with noticeable changes in tempo, texture and/or tonality;jointly they were distinguished from shorter pieces such as sonatas (for solo instrument or instruments with accompaniment) and concertos (for one or more solo instruments with instrumental ensemble).

Since the 19th century, how composers have organized their work within individual symphonies has varied widely. However, some tendencies are discernable. First, most symphonies are in four movements although there are exceptions, e.g., Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 which has only two movements; Schubert’s Symphony No. 8 (“Unfinished”) which has only two completed movements out of a projected four; Mendelssohn’s “Scottish” Symphony which also has four movements but places the slow second movement first and so on). Second, while early-period Haydn and Mozart symphonies tend to be inATURE longer than those of late Haydn or early Mozart – over 30 minutes compared to around 25 – this difference gradually disappears over time so that by Beethoven most are around 30 minutes long regardless of period; Schubert and later composers write even longer works including Mendelssohn’s “Scottish” Symphony at 43 minutes, Berlioz’ Symphonie Fantastique at 55 minutes (not including the additional 5 minute “March to the Scaffold”), Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 at 54 minutes (not including his usual insertion of a slow introduction to the first movement), Bruckner’s Symphony No., 7 at 68 minutes not including repeats), Dvorak’s “From the New World” Symphony at 36 minutes not including repeats for all four movements) etc.; Third – with some notable exceptions such as Carl Maria von Weber’s Euryanthe – program music tends not to find its way into symphonies until well into the Romantic period making Berlioz’ Symphonie Fantastique something of an anomaly since it was composed between 1827–28; Fourth – since Beethoven added extra brass instruments to his Eroica Symphony it became fashionable for Romantic composers such as Brahms and Bruckner following his lead though they do not always do so; Fifth – since Brahms tended not use trombones it became unfashionable for many composers during much of the late 19th century to include them even if their music would benefit from them although they made something of a comeback in Mahler who used them extensively adding Symphonic complexity; Sixth – there is often but not always an opening sonata form Allegro movement followed by a slower Andante or Adagio second movement followed by another Allegro third movement which may be dance-like in character e.g., minuet or scherzo etc., although many later-period examples break from thisorder especially those composed during what is known as post-romanticism when pure Classicism had largely given way

Concertos

A concerto is a musical composition typically composed of three movements, in which a solo instrument is accompanied by an orchestra. The word “concerto” comes from the Italian word “concerto”, meaning “to bring together”. The first concertos were written in the Baroque era, during the 1600s and 1700s, and originally featured instruments such as the violin, keyboard, and flute. Concertos typically follow a fast-slow-fast form, with the first and last movements being fast and the middle movement being slow.

The Famous Composers of Classical Music

The definition of classical music is difficult to establish, as there is no one accepted criteria by which to judge what qualifies and what does not. In general, it can be described as music that has been written by classical composers, which has been performed by classical musicians, and which has been reviewed and analysed by classical music critics.

Johann Sebastian Bach

Classical music is art music produced or rooted in the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times. Historically, the term ‘classical music’ refers specifically to the musical period from 1750 to 1820 (the Classical era). This era is said to be characterized by harmonious balance among conflicting elements: simplicity and complexity, monophony and polyphony, emotional restraint and gratuitous expression of feeling, clarity in texture contrasted with ambiguity of form, and a driving pulse rhythm against an implied harmony. These various qualities were consolidated into what came to be known as the “classical style”.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (27 January 1756 – 5 December 1791), baptised as Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart, was a prolific and influential composer of the classical era.
Mozart showed prodigious ability from an early age. Already competent on keyboard and violin, he composed from the age of five and performed before European royalty. At 17, Mozart was engaged as a musician at the Salzburg court, but grew restless and traveled in search of a better position. While visiting Vienna in 1781, he was dismissed from his Salzburg position. He chose to stay in the capital, where he achieved fame but little financial security. During his final years in Vienna, he composed many of his best-known symphonies, concertos, and operas, and portions of the Requiem, which was largely unfinished at the time of his death. The circumstances of his early death have been much mythologized.
He composed more than 600 works, many acknowledged as pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, operatic, and choral music. They embrace all genres except for opera buffa; but this is not to suggest that every one is a masterpiece or that nothing remains to be rediscovered or rescored.

Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven is one of the most famous and influential classical composers who ever lived. He was born in 1770 in the city of Bonn, Germany, into a family of musicians. Ludwig began to lose his hearing when he was only 26 years old, but he continued to compose music and became one of the greatest musicians of all time. Many people consider his Ninth Symphony, with its famous “Ode to Joy” melody, to be his best work.

The Legacy of Classical Music

Classical music is art music produced or rooted in the traditions of Western culture, including both liturgical and secular music. While a more precise term is also used to refer to the period from 1750 to 1820, this article focuses on the broad span of time from before the 6th century AD to the present day, which includes the Classical period and various other periods.

The influence of classical music on other genres

Classical music has had a tremendous impact on other genres of music, both in terms of its compositional techniques and its stature as a cornerstone of high culture. Many 20th-century classical composers drew inspiration from folk music and popular music, incorporating elements of those genres into their works. In turn, classical music has frequently been used as background or source material in non-classical contexts, such as film scores, advertising jingles, and rock and roll.

One of the most significant ways in which classical music has influenced other genres is through its use of harmony. The Western tonal system, which is based on the interplay of major and minor scales, chords, and keys, is one of the most commonly used harmonic systems in the world. Many popular genres, including rock, jazz, and blues, make use of this system. Classical composers were also among the first to make use of chromaticism—the use of notes that are not part of the major or minor scale—which added a new level of harmonic complexity to their works. This technique would go on to be influential in subsequent generations of classical composers, as well as in jazz and other genres.

The status and prestige associated with classical music have also had a major impact on other genres. For much of the 20th century, classical music was considered the highest form of musical expression, and composers who wrote in other styles were often looked down upon by the musical establishment. However, this began to change in the latter half of the century, as composers from a variety of backgrounds began to receive greater recognition. This trend has continued into the 21st century, with an increasing number of non-classical composers being feted by critics and awarded prestigious prizes such as the Nobel Prize in Literature

The popularity of classical music today

Classical music is still widely popular today, with new composers and works being performed regularly. The popularity of classical music can be attributed to its beauty, complexity, and emotional depth.

Despite the highbrow reputation of classical music, it is enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds. Many popular classical works have been used in movies, television shows, and commercials, exposing a new generation of listeners to the genre.

People who enjoy classical music often have a deep appreciation for the history and tradition of the genre. They may enjoy attending live performances, or listening to recordings of their favorite pieces. Some people also enjoy learning to play classical instruments, such as the piano or violin.