What is Classical Music?
When asked the question, “what is classical music?”,
elevator music comes to the minds of many people. Although it is grossly inaccurate to say that classical music is elevator music, the two terms are similar in one way. They are both a generic term applied to a type of music.
- Classical music encompasses many styles of music spanning over 700 years. The term is used colloquially to describe a variety of western musical styles from the ninth century to the present.
But, should we use "classical music" referring to the music of Ludwing van Beethoven or Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky ?
*For me, classical music is just a period in time, when music evolved in certain ways from what it was in the baroque period. Some people call it concert music. I think that is a great term, maybe it could be instrumental music as well. But that will remind us the genres of new age and jazz. What do you think?
Periods of European art music
Early
Medieval (500–1400)
Renaissance (1400–1600)
Baroque (1600–1760)
Common practice
Baroque (1600–1760)
Classical (1730–1820)
Romantic (1815–1910)
Modern and contemporary
20th-century (1900–2000)
Contemporary (1975–present)
21st-century (2000–present)
Main characteristics of the classical period
1 Classical music has a lighter, clearer texture than Baroque music
2 Less complex. It is mainly homophonic- melody above chordal accompaniment
3 Variety and contrast within a piece became more pronounced than before
4 The orchestra increased in size and range
5 The main kinds were sonata, trio,string quartet,symphony,concerto ,serenade and divertimento.
6 Melodies tended to be shorter than those of Baroque music, with clear-cut phrases and clearly marked cadences.
Do you think the term "classical music" is appropriate for the genre?
Recommended:
Top 10 Symphonies You Should Own
No comments:
Post a Comment