Classical music
Classical music is a broad tradition of Western art music rooted in the liturgical and secular traditions of Europe.
Classical music is a broad tradition of Western art music rooted in the liturgical and secular traditions of Europe. It is commonly associated with formal composition, technical skill, expressive depth, and written musical notation, and it spans music from the medieval period to the present day. In Canada, classical music is widely encountered through orchestras, conservatories, universities, festivals, and public broadcasters.
Definition
Classical music refers to a long-standing tradition of Western art music. The term is broader than the Classical period and may also be used, more loosely, for non-Western art traditions described as classical music. It is sometimes called Western art music to distinguish it from other uses of the word 'classical'. The tradition includes both sacred and secular music.
Historical development
The tradition emerged in the Middle Ages and grew through the development of staff notation, polyphony, and music theory. It later diversified into major historical periods such as Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and modern styles. It developed from medieval music practices and later evolved through distinct stylistic periods.
Musical characteristics
Classical music is typically associated with formal composition, harmonic organization, and technical complexity. In Western traditions, it is especially marked by a written score rather than oral transmission. Written notation is a defining feature of the tradition.
The Classical period
The Classical period is a specific era within Western art music, usually dated from about the 1750s to the early 1820s. It is associated with composers such as Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Ludwig van Beethoven. The term 'classical music' can also refer more narrowly to the Classical period.
Classical music in Canada
Canadian readers encounter classical music through orchestras, conservatories, universities, festivals, and public broadcasters. Canadian libraries and research guides commonly treat it as a core area of music scholarship.
Key facts
- Classical music is a broad tradition of Western music rather than only the eighteenth-century Classical period.
- It developed from medieval music practices and later evolved through distinct stylistic periods.
- Written notation is a defining feature of the tradition.
- The term can also refer more narrowly to the Classical period, roughly the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.
- The tradition includes both sacred and secular music.
Canadian readers encounter classical music through orchestras, conservatories, universities, festivals, and public broadcasters, and Canadian libraries and research guides commonly treat it as a core area of music scholarship.[6][8][9]
Frequently asked questions
What is classical music?
Is classical music the same as the Classical period?
Why is classical music called a written tradition?
What are the main historical periods of classical music?
Who are major composers associated with classical music?
References
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/art/classical-musicSupports: Definition of classical music as a broad Western tradition rooted in Europe; historical development from the Middle Ages; emphasis on formal composition and expressive depth.
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_musicSupports: Broad overview of the term, distinction between Western art music and the Classical period, and the importance of notation.
- Flame Tree Music / Symphony Store — https://symphonystore.com/products/classical-music-encyclopedia-new-expanded-editionSupports: Reference-work description that classical music spans medieval times through the twenty-first century.
- William & Mary Libraries — https://libraries.wm.edu/databases/classical-music-reference-librarySupports: Canadian-relevant research context is supplemented by reference-library description spanning Western classical music.
- University of British Columbia Library — https://guides.library.ubc.ca/music/a-zreferenceresourcesSupports: Music reference resources and encyclopedias used in scholarly study of classical music.
- University of Minnesota Libraries — https://libguides.umn.edu/music-related-databases/find-music-encyclopedias-and-reference-toolsSupports: Reference resources covering the history of Western classical music and music encyclopedias.