One of the greatest yet underrated forms of music. Listening to classical music requires patience and an open mind. Those who bash it simply are not able to comprehend the expressive beauty and intricate complexity behind it. It utilizes almost all kinds of musical instruments. The different forms of classical music are symphony, piano sonata, piano concerto, violin sonata, violin concerto, piano quartet, string quartet, string quintet, etc. No other genre has been so effective in utilizing these different arrangements of instruments. The main periods are Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionism, Modern, Contemporary. My personal favorite is the Romantic period with legendary composers such as Ludwig van Beethoven, Frederic Chopin, Peter Tchaikovsky, Antonin Dvorak, Franz Liszt, Mussorgsky, and Sergei Rachmaninoff.
Unlike pop songs, no single piece of classical music sounds exactly the same. Rather, each piece is unique in the type of instruments used, the mood that is set, and the way beautiful melodies are brought out or expressed. Each piece is a musical journey that the listeners takes which is full of twists and surprises.
by Aaron456 March 29, 2013
Music Teacher: "Bill, Ted, do you even have any idea what classical music is?"
Bill: "Anything written before 1978?" Ted: "And anything written by Eddie Van Halen!"
Bill: "Anything written before 1978?" Ted: "And anything written by Eddie Van Halen!"
by Crystalkestrel August 15, 2006
1) Historically the style of art music common in Europe during the period between the middle of the 17th century and the beginning of the 18th century. The works of Haydn and Mozart and the earlier work of Beethoven (who also played a large role in the transition from classical to romantic) are prime examples. Bach isn't classical. Tchaikovskij isn't classical. Chopin isn't classical.
2) In common language all art music made between the early 17th century to present, usually by composers with education or at least some knowledge of the art of composition. (In other words, practically all art music from the early 17th century up until now.)
There is a lot of wordprejudice/word against both of the above definitions of the term.
2) In common language all art music made between the early 17th century to present, usually by composers with education or at least some knowledge of the art of composition. (In other words, practically all art music from the early 17th century up until now.)
There is a lot of wordprejudice/word against both of the above definitions of the term.
by EldKatt July 08, 2003
A truly beautiful style of music that has lasted for centuries. A style of European art music from the 17th to 18th centuries. Listen to "Winter" by Antonio Vivaldi. It's a masterpiece.
While it is a beautiful style of music, many people look down on many other genres because of it. You can't label every genre as bad just because there are some bad songs from it. I see a lot of talk about rap on this page, and many of criticisms I see come from pure ignorance. Listen to "Eye Know" by De La Soul, and you'll see that not all of it is bad.
While it is a beautiful style of music, many people look down on many other genres because of it. You can't label every genre as bad just because there are some bad songs from it. I see a lot of talk about rap on this page, and many of criticisms I see come from pure ignorance. Listen to "Eye Know" by De La Soul, and you'll see that not all of it is bad.
Music snob: Classical music is the only real style of music there is.
Open-minded person: I agree that it's very beautiful, but I think you're speaking from ignorance. There's some pretty good rap music out there too if you look hard enough.
Music snob: Rap isn't real music!
Open-minded person: Smh.
Open-minded person: I agree that it's very beautiful, but I think you're speaking from ignorance. There's some pretty good rap music out there too if you look hard enough.
Music snob: Rap isn't real music!
Open-minded person: Smh.
by KNUP January 13, 2017
A genre containing brilliant, timeless works by musical geniuses such as Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, Wagner, and a whole host of other European dudes you've probably never heard of. Absolutely brilliant music, especially considering the difficulty a person had to go through to compose before electric instruments and computers. Technically, "Classical Music" refers to the instrumental music of the 1750-1825 period, containing composers like Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven, but nowadays the term covers pretty much all music made with orchestras.
Also, a word used by upper class snobs used to justify their shitty intellectual tastes in music that they only listen to because they want to consider themselves to be educated and classy. Some composers of classical music, such as those of the atonal and serialist genres, deliberately make their music as out of key and musically senseless as humanly possible, and then justify it because it's "intellectual", and took a lot of intelligence and effort to create. The proponents of this form of music then go out and loudly proclaim how their musical tastes are far superior to those of the common unwashed plebeians, who dirty their ears with foul peasant music like rock, or even *scoff* "rap".
These musically educated persons then retire to their weekly top hat appreciation parties and discuss with other like minded individuals about kids these days have no respect for their elders.
Also, a word used by upper class snobs used to justify their shitty intellectual tastes in music that they only listen to because they want to consider themselves to be educated and classy. Some composers of classical music, such as those of the atonal and serialist genres, deliberately make their music as out of key and musically senseless as humanly possible, and then justify it because it's "intellectual", and took a lot of intelligence and effort to create. The proponents of this form of music then go out and loudly proclaim how their musical tastes are far superior to those of the common unwashed plebeians, who dirty their ears with foul peasant music like rock, or even *scoff* "rap".
These musically educated persons then retire to their weekly top hat appreciation parties and discuss with other like minded individuals about kids these days have no respect for their elders.
I personally think that classical music can be utterly brilliant, but the classical music enthusiasts who constantly insist that they're intellectually and musically superior to everyone else just piss me off.
by zer0t November 02, 2011
Classical music is music that was (is) written to be played a specific way with specific orchestrations -- be they quartets, full orchestras, solo instruments (piano, organ, guitar), singers or any combination thereof. In its broadest sense it was written from the eras of Bach to Ligeti, but strictly speaking involves the period of Mozart, Haydn and early Beethoven. Forms include symphonies, concert overtures, concertos, operas and many others. I find it odd that when the phrase "Classical Music" is used most people never realize just how multi-faceted and encompassing the genre actually is. (A good many film composers were excellent classical composers in their own right -- B. Herrmann, S. Prokofiev, M. Rosza, J. Williams, just to name a few, and their styles of composition carried over to the screen.) The music from the film Psycho was written in the most strict classical forms, as too was North by Northwest -- their soundtracks play like symphonic tone poems. Most people would probably not realize that a good amount of music they recognize is in fact Classical Music ... composers like Franz List and Rossini quickly come to mind.
So, why do many people poo poo it? Personally, I think it's because so many don't understand or even know much about it ... and that's not meant to be insulting, just an observation. How many can name a composer for every letter of the alphabet? -- Albeniz, Brahms, Chopin, Dvorak ... etc., and then give a work by each? Wow, that's a lot, eh? -- doesn't even scratch the surface! You could listen to days (if not weeks) of music by each one, that's how much there is to explore. And then do the whole alphabet over again with different composers. And then you would be surprised as to how much of that music is incorporated into today's popular music -- and how much of yesterday's popular (folk) music was used by classical composers -- listen to Dvorak's New World Symphony as an example.
There's so much out there it's almost impossible not to like some aspect of it -- and chances are, you already do.
So, why do many people poo poo it? Personally, I think it's because so many don't understand or even know much about it ... and that's not meant to be insulting, just an observation. How many can name a composer for every letter of the alphabet? -- Albeniz, Brahms, Chopin, Dvorak ... etc., and then give a work by each? Wow, that's a lot, eh? -- doesn't even scratch the surface! You could listen to days (if not weeks) of music by each one, that's how much there is to explore. And then do the whole alphabet over again with different composers. And then you would be surprised as to how much of that music is incorporated into today's popular music -- and how much of yesterday's popular (folk) music was used by classical composers -- listen to Dvorak's New World Symphony as an example.
There's so much out there it's almost impossible not to like some aspect of it -- and chances are, you already do.
Classical Music that is easily liked ...
F. J. Haydn -- Trumpet Concerto in E flat major.
R. Strauss -- Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks.
I. Stravinsky -- Symphony No. 1.
M. Moszkowski -- Concerto for Piano.
A. Bruckner -- Symphony no. 4 (Romantic)
F. J. Haydn -- Trumpet Concerto in E flat major.
R. Strauss -- Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks.
I. Stravinsky -- Symphony No. 1.
M. Moszkowski -- Concerto for Piano.
A. Bruckner -- Symphony no. 4 (Romantic)
by Opiner October 30, 2006