Classical Music
Classical music generally refers to the standard music in the Western world. It is music composed by musicians trained in the art of writing music, or composing so that other musicians can play it.
Classical music is different from pop music because it is not made just to be a commercial success and to be popular. It is different from folk music in that folk music is generally made by ordinary people and not by trained musicians.
The word “classic” tends to mean: art which is so good that it will always be enjoyed by future generations. It is something that has become a model for future artists. The same way as the art of Ancient Greece and Rome are considered classical models.
People often think of classical music as the opposite of pop music, but in fact classical music can also be very popular. Like all genres of music, classical music can be in lots of different moods: happy, sad, scary, peaceful, thoughtful, simple etc. Mozart composed his serenades and divertimentos to entertain people at parties. Classical pieces of music can be quite short, or very long, like a musical story. A symphony by Beethoven can last for over an hour, and an opera a whole evening.
Classical music is also different from jazz because true jazz is improvised. But, the differences are not always so obvious. Classical music has often been inspired by jazz, and jazz by classical music. George Gershwin, for example, composed music which is both jazz and classical. On the other hand, classical music can be improvised too. Great composers like Bach and Mozart often improvised long pieces of music on the organ, or piano and the best ones they sometimes jotted down for a probable reuse in future performances.
The term "classical music" was first the early 19th century, when people started talking about classical music in order to praise the great musicians such as Bach, Mozart and Beethoven.
New ways of composing were introduced in the 20th century, these included music played by electronic instruments such as the synthesizer and the Hammond organ, and the use of strange sounds, for example the music of John Cage. This type of music had been harshly criticised by some people who feel that it can't really be defined "classical music".
Classical music generally refers to the standard music in the Western world. It is music composed by musicians trained in the art of writing music, or composing so that other musicians can play it.
Classical music is different from pop music because it is not made just to be a commercial success and to be popular. It is different from folk music in that folk music is generally made by ordinary people and not by trained musicians.
The word “classic” tends to mean: art which is so good that it will always be enjoyed by future generations. It is something that has become a model for future artists. The same way as the art of Ancient Greece and Rome are considered classical models.
People often think of classical music as the opposite of pop music, but in fact classical music can also be very popular. Like all genres of music, classical music can be in lots of different moods: happy, sad, scary, peaceful, thoughtful, simple etc. Mozart composed his serenades and divertimentos to entertain people at parties. Classical pieces of music can be quite short, or very long, like a musical story. A symphony by Beethoven can last for over an hour, and an opera a whole evening.
Classical music is also different from jazz because true jazz is improvised. But, the differences are not always so obvious. Classical music has often been inspired by jazz, and jazz by classical music. George Gershwin, for example, composed music which is both jazz and classical. On the other hand, classical music can be improvised too. Great composers like Bach and Mozart often improvised long pieces of music on the organ, or piano and the best ones they sometimes jotted down for a probable reuse in future performances.
The term "classical music" was first the early 19th century, when people started talking about classical music in order to praise the great musicians such as Bach, Mozart and Beethoven.
New ways of composing were introduced in the 20th century, these included music played by electronic instruments such as the synthesizer and the Hammond organ, and the use of strange sounds, for example the music of John Cage. This type of music had been harshly criticised by some people who feel that it can't really be defined "classical music".