What Defines Classical Music?

Classical music is a term used to describe a broad range of musical styles written in the Western world from 1750-1820. This includes opera, chamber music, choral pieces and music that requires a full orchestra.

During this era, composers such as Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven formulated many of the musical forms we still hear today. These include the symphony, string quartet, and piano.

Classical music is a term that refers to Western art music from the Middle Ages until the present day. It is considered the European tradition of high culture, distinct from popular or folk forms.

The Classical era was a critical time in the history of music. During this period, many new musical forms were developed to help composers quickly produce large amounts of quality music.

One example of this was the symphony. It was composed in multiple movements and provided audiences with extended works that entertained them for longer periods.

The Classical period it also introduced the string quartet as a basic instrumental form. The string quartet is a type of chamber music that features two violins, a viola and a cello in a musical piece.

The origins of Classical Music are challenging to pinpoint, but we know that it emerged from the combination of Western musical traditions, both liturgical and secular. These include the music of Ancient Greece or Rome, which was assimilated and synthesized with musical traditions from elsewhere in Europe.

In the Middle Ages, much emphasis was placed on the importance of music for Christianity, particularly in the early church, where it was considered a medium that could affect human thought and conduct. For the church, music was deemed suitable only when it “opened the mind to Christian teachings and disposed the soul to holy thoughts.”

The development of polyphony, where more than one voice sings or sounds a melody, occurred around 1000 AD. This spawned the madrigals of composers such as Byrd, Gibbons and Farnaby, who made instrumental music their own in their settings of religious and popular poetry, often using recorders, lutes and violas.

Classical music has various styles ranging from small ensembles to massive symphonies. Whether you’re looking for the right tune to put you in the mood for a romantic date or something that will take your mind off of work and stress, there’s a style for everyone!

The era of Mozart and Beethoven was a time of significant musical development. They paved the way for composers to write various styles and instruments.

They introduced new forms of music, such as the symphony, which features a full orchestra with four movements. This form can be complicated, but it’s gratifying if you’re a serious composer.

Another important musical style in this period was chamber music, which was often composed for smaller groups of musicians. It can include any instrument, which usually focuses on their interplay.

It is common for people to describe the audience that attends a classical music performance as “the audience.” However, this only considers a few personalities that come together to enjoy the performance. Whether giving applause or simply breathing deeply and taking in the music, each person will take away something unique from experience.

This is a problem because we often treat the concert as a singular entity and do a disservice to those attending by lumping them in with other non-attendees.

Audience development is a challenge in a world where the pace of life is hectic, and attention spans are short. The main challenge for classical music is to provide performances as rare opportunities for audiences to take a break from the busyness of their lives and focus on the musical event.

To make this possible, orchestras offer a range of programming tailored to their specific audiences. This includes ancillary educational activities, enhancements to the concert itself, social events and culinary experiences.