Classical Music: What You Need to Know

A comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about classical music. Discover its history, listen to the great composers, and find out where to hear the best classical music performances.

Introduction to Classical Music

Classical music is a genre of music that originated in the medieval period. It is characterized by its complex, often baroque, melodies and harmonies. Classical music has been around for centuries and is still popular today. Many people enjoy listening to classical music because it is soothing and relaxing. It can also be enjoyed for its beauty and richness.

What is Classical Music?

Classical music is often considered a highbrow genre, enjoyable only by those with “refined” taste. This couldn’t be further from the truth! While classical music does have a long and complicated history, anyone can enjoy it if they know where to start.

Classical music is broadly defined as any music that Symphonic orchestras play. This includes anything from the early Baroque period up until the present day. It is generally characterized by its complexity and beauty, as well as its use of instruments from the orchestra.

Whether you’re new to classical music or you’ve been listening for years, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. If you’re not sure where to start, check out our list of essential classical pieces below.

A Brief History of Classical Music

Classical music is a broad term that usually refers to Western musical traditions from the Middle Ages to the present. In a more specific sense, classical music can refer to the musical traditions of a certain period, region, or style.

The history of classical music is long and complex. It can be traced back to the origins of Western music in medieval Europe. Over time, classical music has been influenced by various other genres, such as folk music, popular music, and jazz.

Classical music has been around for centuries, and it continues to be one of the most popular genres of music today. If you’re interested in learning more about classical music, there are many resources available online and in libraries.

The Different Forms of Classical Music

There are many different forms of classical music, from the early music of the medieval period to the modern classical music of the 20th century. Classical music has been around for centuries and has been loved by many people.

Opera

Opera is a form of theatre in which music has a leading role and the parts are taken by singers. Opera is part of the Western classical music tradition. Opera began in Italy at the end of the 16th century (the earliest operas were called madrigals) and soon spread through Europe. By the early 17th century, Italian opera had gone international. The four major opera composers of the Baroque period were all Italian: Alessandro Scarlatti, Antonio Vivaldi, Francesco Gasparini and Domenico Scarlatti. During the 18th century, many operas were written by German, French and English composers such as George Frideric Handel, Christoph Willibald Gluck and Henry Purcell. In the 19th century, opera became increasingly popular in countries such as Russia, Spain and Czechoslovakia. The 20th century saw a decline in opera’s popularity due to competition from other forms of entertainment such as cinema and television. However, it has remained an important art form in countries such as Italy, Austria, France, Germany and Russia.

The word ‘opera’ comes from the Italian word ‘opera’, which means ‘work’. An opera is usually based on a story (or libretto) which is sung by the performers instead of being spoken. Operas are usually divided into three parts: the overture (which introduces the main themes of the work), the recitative (sections sung in speech-like rhythms) and the aria (songs with more elaborate melodies). Opera singers are trained to sing in a style known as ‘bel canto’ (beautiful singing). This style emphasises beauty of tone and breath control rather than volume or power.
Opera houses are usually large theatres with good acoustics designed specifically for operatic performances. The auditorium is usually divided into two or three sections known as ‘loges’, ‘stalls’ and ‘boxes’. The loges are usually positioned at the sides of the auditorium near the stage; they are smaller than stalls and provide a more intimate experience for spectators. Stalls are located in front of the stage; they provide good views of the performance but can be quite expensive. Boxes are also positioned at the sides of the auditorium but are further away from the stage than loges; they offer poorer views but tend to be cheaper than stalls.

The most famous opera house in the world is La Scala in Milan, Italy; other well-known opera houses include La Fenice in Venice, Italy; Covent Garden in London, UK; The Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, USA; The Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg, Russia; Bayreuth Festspielhaus in Bayreuth, Germany; Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona, Spain; Opéra National de Paris in Paris France and Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Orchestral Music

Orchestral music is a large genre of classical music that is created or performed by a symphony orchestra. The word “orchestra” comes from the Greek words “orkhesthai” and “trapeza,” which mean “to dance” and “table,” respectively. In ancient Greece, these words were used to describe the area where the chorus would dance during a play.

During the Renaissance and Baroque periods, orchestras became increasingly popular and their size began to grow. By the Classical period, orchestras typically consisted of strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion instruments. The development of newer instruments during the Romantic period, such as the piano and celesta, expanded the sound of orchestras even further.

Today, orchestras can vary wildly in size. A chamber orchestra might only have 30 musicians while a symphony orchestra can have 100 or more. The type of music an orchestra plays also varies. Some orchestras specialize in playing only classical music while others might play contemporary pop songs or film scores.

Chamber Music

Chamber music is a form of classical music that is composed for a small group of instruments—traditionally a group that could fit in one room. This type of music is usually written for two to eight players, but larger groups (9–10 players) can be found in some works. It is often characterized by its intimate atmosphere and smaller scale.

One of the most important things to understand about chamber music is that each performer has an important role to play. Unlike in a symphony, where the composer writes for a large group of instruments and the players are divided into sections (such as strings, woodwinds, and brass), in chamber music each player is an individual soloist. This means that each performer must be able to play their part independently, as well as blend with the other players when it’s time to come together.

Chamber music dates back to the Renaissance period, when composers began writing for small groups of instruments. Since then, it has undergone many changes—in both its form and the types of instruments used—but it remains a hugely popular genre today. If you’re new to chamber music, we recommend checking out some of the well-known pieces below.

The Different Genres of Classical Music

There are many different genres of classical music, from Baroque to Contemporary. Each genre has its own unique characteristics, and each composer writes in their own style. In this article, we’ll explore the different genres of classical music and some of the most famous composers in each genre.

Baroque

The Baroque period of classical music is generally said to encompass the years between 1600 and 1750. The style of music employed intricate embellishments, elaborate contrapuntal textures and fusions of disparate musical elements. The four-part harmony established during the Renaissance became increasingly complex during the Baroque, with multiple independent melodic lines occurring simultaneously. Harmonic innovation was also a hallmark of this period in classical music, as composers began experimenting with different ways of combining chords and progressions. Popular genres during the Baroque era include the cantata, concerto, oratorio and sonata.

Classical

Classical music is a broad term that usually refers to the period from 1750 to 1820. It is generally divided into three sub-periods: the Classical period, the Romantic period, and the 20th century.

The Classical period is when most of the well-known classical pieces were composed. This was a time of great change in music, with composers such as Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven making their mark on the genre. The Romantic period followed on from this, with composers such as Schubert and Chopin writing beautiful and emotive music. The 20th century saw a huge variety of different styles of classical music being written, from atonal pieces by composers such as Arnold Schoenberg, to highly tonal works by Aaron Copland.

With so much variety within classical music, it can be hard to know where to start if you’re new to the genre. Here are five pieces that are essential listening for anyone interested in exploring classical music further:

1. Haydn – Symphony No. 94 in G Major (“Surprise”)
2. Mozart – Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major (“Elvira Madigan”)
3. Beethoven – Symphony No. 9 in D Minor (“Choral”)
4. Schubert – “Die Forelle” (The Trout)
5. Chopin – Prelude in E Minor

Romantic

The Romantic period of classical music lasted from the late 1700s to the early 1900s. It was marked by emotion, imagination, and individualism. Musicians strove to express their feelings and ideas through their music.

One of the most important things that happened during the Romantic period was the development of nationalistic pride in music. This means that composers began to write music that reflected the customs, history, and landscape of their own countries. For example, Polish composer Frederic Chopin wrote pieces that used Polish folk tunes, while Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky wove Russian folksongs into his compositions.

The Romantic period also saw a rise in public interest in classical music. Composers began writing longer and more complex pieces that were designed to be performed in public concert halls. They also wrote works specifically for particular instruments, such as the piano or violin. As a result, classical music became more accessible to a wider range of people.

The Different Composers of Classical Music

Classical music is a genre that has been around for centuries. It is typically characterized by its beauty, complexity, and emotional depth. There are many different composers of classical music, each with their own unique style. In this article, we will take a look at some of the most famous classical music composers and their work.

Johann Sebastian Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer of the Baroque period. He is known for instrumental compositions such as the Brandenburg Concertos and the Goldberg Variations, and for vocal music such as the St Matthew Passion and the Mass in B minor. Since the 19th-century Bach Revival he has been generally regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time.

Bach’s abilities as an organist were highly respected during his lifetime, although he was not widely known as a great composer until a revival of interest and performances of his music in the first half of the 19th century. His compositions include both sacred and secular works for choir, instruments, and orchestra. Although Bach’s abilities as a performer are now widely known, most scholars believe that his greatest musical achievement was in composition. In particular, he wrote fugues, or contrapuntal pieces, which are still studied as some of the most challenging pieces ever written for keyboard instruments; they were considered to be quite beyond the ability of most composers working at that time.

Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven was born in 1770 in the city of Bonn in the Electorate of Cologne, a principality of the Holy Roman Empire. His father, Johann van Beethoven, was a musician in the electoral orchestra of Bonn, and taught his son to play the violin and piano. As a child, Ludwig was pushed hard by his father to succeed in music, often being beaten when he hesitated or made mistakes.

Ludwig’s musical talent was clear from an early age, and he quickly rose to prominence in the Bonn music scene. He became a student of Christian Gottlob Neefe, the newly appointed Court Organist, in 1779, and made his public debut as a solo pianist in 1781. He composed his first work, “Three Piano Sonatas,” in 1783.

In 1792, Ludwig moved to Vienna to study music under Franz Joseph Haydn. However, Haydn left Vienna soon after Ludwig’s arrival, and Ludwig instead began studying under Anton Salieri. It was during this time that he composed some of his most well-known works: “Symphony No. 1,” “Symphony No. 2,” “Violin Concerto,” and “Piano Concerto No. 1.”

Ludwig’s health began to decline in 1815 due to lead poisoning, likely caused by his habit of drinking wine from lead crystal glasses. His hearing also began to deteriorate around this time, eventually leading to complete deafness. Despite these challenges, he continued composing music and completed some of his most famous works during this period: “Symphony No. 3” (Eroica), “Symphony No. 5,” “Symphony No. 6” (Pastoral), and “Symphony No. 9” (Choral). He also wrote his only opera, “Fidelio,” during this time.

Ludwig van Beethoven died on March 26th, 1827 at the age of 56. He is buried at the Zentralfriedhof cemetery in Vienna.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is one of the most popular classical composers of all time. He composed over 600 works, including symphonies, concertos, chamber music, masses and operas. He is considered a master of the classical idiom. Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria in 1756. He began composing at the age of five and gave his first public performance at the age of six. He traveled extensively throughout Europe, performing for royalty and other dignitaries.

Mozart died at the age of 35, but his music has continued to be popular over the centuries. His works are frequently performed and recorded, and many of his operas are still staged today.

Conclusion

In conclusion, classical music is a great genre of music to get into. It is complex and challenging, but also very rewarding. There are many different subgenres of classical music, so you can find something that suits your taste. If you’re looking for a relaxing genre of music, classical music is a great choice. If you’re looking for something to help you focus, classical music can be a great choice as well.

What Makes Classical Music So Special?

Now that you know a bit more about the history of classical music and some of its most famous composers, you might be wondering what makes it so special. After all, there are many different types of music out there, so what makes classical music unique?

There are a few things that set classical music apart from other genres. For one, it is often (but not always) very complex and intricate, and uses a wide range of instruments to create a rich sound. It also tends to be quite emotional and can evoke strong feelings in the listener.

Another thing that makes classical music special is that it is often seen as being “highbrow” or “elitist”. This is because it has been traditionally associated with wealthy people or those with a higher education. However, this perception is changing, and nowadays classical music is enjoyed by people from all walks of life.

So, if you’re looking for something a little different to listen to, or you want to try something new, why not give classical music a go? With so many different types and styles to choose from, you’re sure to find something you enjoy.