Classical Music – A Brief Walk Through Time

I don't know how far your understanding of classical music goes. I am going to give you a brief walk through, so bear with me if you are already knowledgeable in certain areas. Classical music can be generally termed as a class of music composed and performed by those who are not only professionally trained but have a strong musical theory background. In terms of the history of music itself, it covers music from Haydn to Beethoven or Brahms. I always tend to compare Classical Music to other genres of music, say the works of today's popular music.

Comparatively, Classical Music usually tends to have a smaller audience. This can be in part due to the differences in social, economic, educational and cultural standing of the audiences. Many young people, and older people too, may think it is a boring type of music. Nothing could be further from the truth!

Classical music's catalogue of works encompasses hundreds of years of composition. Some of these are the most revolutionary. Today's highest technologies ensure that even after hundreds of years, the music we enjoy today is still similar to the performances of the composers' time. Popular music does not have such a long history and is not as rich in tradition when compared to classical music. I was talking to my friend's grandson, a 13-year-old who listens to the likes of Rihanna during dinner the other day and he actually had the nerve to ask me if The Beatles could be considered as classical music! In his eyes, classical music listeners are probably nothing but old and boring people and what actually falls under this category of music to him could be anything between his parents' and grandparents' time. Another general misconception

Back to classical music. The instruments used are generally always used in an orchestra, together with a few other solo instruments like the piano and organ. Modern instruments – those invented in the twentieth century or later like the synthesiser or saxophone are rarely or almost never used at all.

Some of the classical music forms include opera, symphony, chamber music and concerto. The terminology can also be extended to include other cultures and traditions, for example, Arabic Classical Music or Chinese Classical Music. There is also another newer form of Classical Music, loosely termed as Modern Classical Music.

Sometimes, classical music can also be used to differentiate between the baroque and romantic periods. This simply means classical music began approximately with Mozart and Haydn and ended with Brahms and Beethoven, covering most of the music from the 18 th century.

These of course are only my own views and points about classical music, plus some facts taken from here and there. When talking about Classical music there are so many things you can talk about, anything from where to find Modern Classical Music pieces, to where to catch the best Live Classical Music in the UK and so on. For now, my source for relaxation and blogging inspiration seems to come from the great and famous Mozart'sSymphony No.40.