This serious or conventional music follows long-established principles rather than a folk, jazz or popular tradition and the term classical music originates from the Latin term classicus, meaning taxpayer of the highest class.
Music historians classify the six periods of classical music by stylistic differences. Before 1400, it was known as Medieval, which was characterised by the Gregorian chant and was mostly religious. From 1400-1600, it was known as Renaissance, during which there was an increase of secular music, madrigals and art song. From 1600-1750, the Baroque period was known for its intricate ornamentation; from 1750 –1820 the Classical period was recognised for its balance and structure; 1820-1900 it was the Romantic period, characterised by being emotional, large and programmatic in its style and from 1900 once the 20th century started, the style has been limitless.
Many styles of music exist within the umbrella term of classical music, with the most recognisable being the symphony, opera, choral works, chamber music, the Gregorian chant, the madrigal and the Mass. Popular composers of classical music are those such as Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn, Brahma and Bach. The term “classical music” did not appear until the early 19th century and was introduced in an attempt to 'canonise' the period from Johann Sebastian Bach to Beethoven as a golden age.
The earliest reference to 'classical music' is recorded by the Oxford English Dictionary from about 1836. Due to there being such a broad variety of forms, genres, styles and historical periods that are generally perceived as being described by the term ' classical music', it is hard to list characteristics that can be attributed to all works of this type.
Yet there are characteristics that classical music contains that few or no other genre of music possess. The most outstanding characteristic is that the repertoire tends to be written down in musical notation that creates a musical part or score which generally determines details of rhythm, pitch and if there are two or more musicians, be they singers or instrumentalists, how the various parts are coordinated. The symphony orchestra is the most widely known medium for classical music, with the orchestra including members of the string, brass, woodwind and percussion families.
There are also a few other solo instruments such as the organ, harpsichord and piano. Whereas most popular styles of music lean towards song form, classical music is noted for its development of highly sophisticated forms of instrumental music and many of the most esteemed works of classical music make use of a process known as musical development whereby a musical idea or motif is repeated in different contexts or in altered form.
Professional performance of classical music also demands a very high level of proficiency in sight-reading and ensemble playing. A new classical show will soon be playing here on www.lovesongs247.com
