How to Get Into Classical Music

If you’re looking to get into classical music, there are a few things you should know. Here are some tips on how to get started.

Start with the basics

Many people are intimidated by classical music, thinking it’s stuffy, old-fashioned, or too complex. But it doesn’t have to be any of those things! In fact, classical music can be incredibly moving, exciting, and relevant to our lives today. If you’re new to classical music, the best place to start is with the basics. Here are a few tips to get you started.

What is classical music?

Broadly speaking, 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. A more precise definition may be as follows: Classical music is art music produced or rooted in the traditions of Western culture, including both liturgical (religious) and secular music. While a more precise term is also used to refer to the period from 1750 to 1820 (the Classical period), this article focuses on the broad span of time from before the 6th century AD to the present, covering a wide range of styles.

A brief history of classical music

From Gregorian chants to easy listening, classical music has come a long way. It all started around the 9th century with the Gregorian Chant. This Christian liturgical music was created not only to serve as a devotional practice but also to give structure to services.

The first polyphonic music, which is music with two or more independent melodies, originated in Notre Dame de Paris. This new type of music allowed for more complex harmonies and greater emotional expression. The most famous composer of polyphonic music was Guillaume de Machaut.

During the Renaissance, which occurred between 1400 and 1600, classical music underwent a significant change. We began to see the rise of secular music and the birth of opera. Cantatas, which are song-like pieces for one or more voices often accompanied by instruments, were also popularized during this time. The most notable composer of this era was Johannes Sebastian Bach.

Classical music continued to evolve in the Baroque period with the invention of new instruments such as the harpsichord and violin family. This era also saw the rise of concertos and sonatas. Notable Baroque composers include Antonio Vivaldi and George Frideric Handel.

In the Classical period between 1750 and 1820, composers began to move away from complex pieces towards shorter and simpler works that were easier for audiences to follow. This was largely due to changes in musical taste amongst the growing middle class who wanted light entertainment that they could enjoy without having to put in too much effort. Major Classical composers include Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Joseph Haydn, and Ludwig van Beethoven who continued writing in this style even after it had fallen out of fashion among his peers..

The Romantic period from 1815-1910 saw a return to longer compositions as well as an emphasis on emotionality and individualism. Musicians began to experiment with form, instrumentation, and tonality resulting in some truly unique pieces of work such as Richard Wagner’s opera Parsifal and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake ballet suite..

The 20th century marked another shift in classical music with composers using new techniques such as atonality (lack of tonality),serialism (composing using a series of strictly defined rules), minimalism (repetitive patterns), electronic instruments,and sound synthesis.. Famous 20th-century composers include Igor Stravinsky , Sergei Prokofiev , Alban Berg , Arnold Schoenberg , Aaron Copland , George Gershwin , Leonard Bernstein , Samuel Barber , Benjamin Britten , Dmitri Shostakovich ,and Antonio Carlos Jobim .

And that brings us up to today! Classical music is constantly evolving as new technologies emerge and composers experiment with different ways of pushing boundaries..

Get to know the great composers

Classical music can seem daunting if you’re not familiar with it. Where do you start? There are so many great composers, and so much music to choose from! In this article, we’ll give you a few tips on how to get into classical music. We’ll recommend some starting points, and tell you a little bit about some of the most famous composers.

Johann Sebastian Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach was born in Eisenach, Germany in 1685. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time. Bach’s work spanned many different genres, including fugues, suites, concertos, sonatas, and oratorios. He is best known for his Brandenburg Concertos and his Mass in B Minor. Bach died in Leipzig in 1750.

Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven is widely considered the most famous composer of all time. He was born in 1770 in Bonn, Germany, and his work spanned the transition from the Classical to the Romantic period in Western music. His most famous composition is probably his Symphony No. 9, known as the “Choral Symphony.” Other well-known works include his opera Fidelio, the piano sonatas “Pathétique” and “Moonlight,” and the violin concerto.

Beethoven’s music is characterized by its emotional depth and power. He was a renowned pianist, and his work frequently features dynamic contrasts, wide range of expression, and inventive use of harmony and tonality.

Beethoven composed music until his dying days, despite losing his hearing completely in the last decade of his life. He passed away in 1827 at the age of 56.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born to Leopold and Anna Maria Pertl Mozart in Salzburg, Austria, on January 27, 1756. Mozart showed signs of great musical talent at an early age. By the time he was five years old, he was already proficient on the keyboard and violin. When he was six, his father took him on a musical tour of Europe, where he performed for various royalty and nobles. The young Mozart wowed audiences with his skills on the keyboard and his ability to improvise complex pieces of music on the spot.

Mozart continued to compose and perform throughout his childhood and adolescence. In 1769, at the age of 13, he was appointed as a court musician by the Archbishop of Salzburg. Mozart remained in Salzburg for several years, during which time he composed many works for the court, including symphonies, operas, masses, and other pieces.

In 1777, at the age of 21, Mozart left Salzburg to pursue a career as a freelance musician in Vienna. He enjoyed some success in Vienna, composing works for both aristocrats and the general public. However, he also struggled financially during this time period. In 1791, Mozart composed what would become one of his most famous works: The Marriage of Figaro. The opera was a huge success and solidified Mozart’s reputation as one of the greatest composers of his time.

Tragically, Mozart died just a few months after finishing The Marriage of Figaro. He was only 35 years old. Today, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is considered one of the most important composers in Western classical music history.

Learn about the different types of classical music

A lot of people tend to think that classical music is boring, but it doesn’t have to be! There are so many different types of classical music out there that there’s bound to be something for everyone. From the energetic and fast-paced to the slow and relaxing, there’s a type of classical music for everyone.

Opera

Opera is a form of theatre in which music has a leading role and the parts are taken by singers. Such a “work” (the literal translation of “opera”) is typically a collaboration between a composer and a librettist and incorporates a number of the performing arts, such as acting, scenery, costume, and sometimes dance or ballet. The performance is typically given in an opera house. Opera houses are usually large and magnificent buildings designed to make opera affordable to as many people as possible.

Orchestral

Orchestral music is written for a large group of instruments, which usually includes strings, brass, woodwinds and percussion. The word “orchestra” comes from the Greek word “ορχήστρα” (orchestra), which means “a place for dancing”. In the 1700s, orchestras were often used in operas and ballets.

One of the most famous orchestras is the New York Philharmonic, which was founded in 1842. Other well-known orchestras include the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

The size of an orchestra can vary, but most have between 40 and 100 musicians. The conductor is responsible for leading the orchestra and keeping everyone on track.

Chamber

Chamber music is a form of classical music that is composed for a small group of instruments, which traditionally can be played by only a few musicians. The word “chamber” comes from the French word “chambre,” meaning “room.”

The typical chamber music ensemble is made up of two violins, a viola, and a cello, but it can also include other instruments like a flute, oboe, bassoon, or French horn. Chamber music can be played with as few as two people (a duet), or as many as nine (a nonet).

Chamber music originated in the Renaissance period (15th-16th centuries), when composers began writing music for smaller groups of instruments. Many of the earliest chamber pieces were written for royal families and their courts to enjoy in private settings.

Some of the most famous chamber works were composed during the Classical period (1750-1820) by composers like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn, and Ludwig van Beethoven. Beethoven’s string quartets are some of the best-known examples of chamber music.

During the Romantic period (roughly 1815-1910), chamber music became more emotional and expressive, with Composers like Johannes Brahms and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky writing some of their most beloved works in this genre.

Today, chamber music is enjoyed by audiences all over the world. It continues to evolve as composers experiment with new instrumentation and combinations.

Find a way to listen to classical music that works for you

There are all sorts of ways to get into classical music, some more traditional than others. You could go to a concert, or an opera, or listen to a radio station that specializes in classical music. You could also buy a CD, or stream classical music online.

Find a local orchestra or opera house

If you live in a city, chances are good that you have a local symphony orchestra or opera house. Most of these organizations offer discounted tickets for students, and some even offer free concerts. This is a great way to get exposed to classical music in a live setting. It can also be a fun social activity — something to do with friends or family. Another benefit of attending live concerts is that you can see the musicians up close and get a sense of their passion for the music they’re playing.

Check out online streaming services

There are a few online streaming services that are great for getting into classical music. Spotify has a dedicated classical music section, with pre-made playlists and a variety of listening options. Google Play Music and Apple Music also have sections for classical music, and they offer both individual tracks and albums for purchase. Tidal is another good option, with a focus on high-quality audio.

Buy some CDs or download some MP3s

If you’re new to classical music, the best way to get started is to find a way to listen to it that works for you. You can buy some CDs or download some MP3s, or you can listen to it online. There are also a number of apps that allow you to stream classical music.

If you’re not sure where to start, there are a few pieces of classical music that are particularly popular, such as Bach’s “Brandenburg Concerto No. 5” and Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 5.” You can also try listening to a radio station that specializes in classical music, or finding a playlist of classical music on Spotify or another streaming service.

Once you’ve found a piece of classical music that you like, you can start exploring other pieces by the same composer or in the same genre. There are a lot of great resources available online that can help you learn more about classical music and find new pieces to enjoy.