I'm getting ready to do LOTS of reviews for Christmas-time, and my husband was questioning me about some of the CD's I had. "That's classical music? I thought classical music had to be written by certain composers."

So it got me thinking - how do we define "Classical Music" (which I will be doing an article on this). But I wanted to get y'all's opinions.

For me "Classical music" just has a certain "feel" to it.

It can be done by one instrument or by an orchestra, it cna be written by someone who is hundreds of years dead - or is 17 years old (if they are that talented!). It's an elusive sound/feel that just makes me go "auuuugh- majestic".

kind of like really good chocolate or coffee - there can be many good kinds, and there's not always a common theme, but you know what you like! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Classical music is defined both vocal and instruments.

Wikipedia states that:

Classical music is a term with three distinct meanings:

* The European tradition of music which is associated with high culture, as distinct from popular or folk forms (including works in this tradition in non-European countries).

* That tradition as well as similar non-European traditions.

* A particular stage in the development of the European art music tradition, centered in the late 18th century.

For me? It is the music of the heavens!

I will be honest and say that at one time I considered what is called "New Age" music to be "Classical". How wrong was I?

hm thats a good one. instrumental music containing violins and various instruments

Classical music is a term with three distinct meanings:

* The European tradition of music which is associated with high culture, as distinct from popular or folk forms (including works in this tradition in non-European countries).

* That tradition as well as similar non-European traditions.

* A particular stage in the development of the European art music tradition, centered in the late 18th century.

Yes, that's the wikipedia definition ("Abundance" had pointed it out just a few points ahead of yours), but I was more asking how you defined classical music personally - like what it means to you. Sorry, guess I should have been clearer about that!

I guess I always defined Classical music as a musical piece set for orchestra or for a musical instrument which is not modern....like a piano or a string quartet. A piece which stands on its own, as opposed to one written for a movie. But then again, so many great "Classical" pieces were written for operas and the like. So there goes my idea out the window !!! A great question.

Practically, the Classical Music is restricted to 18th and early 19th centure music, roughly from Bach through Beethoven. The works of this period are consistently performed by orchestras and so could be said to have become classics.

I dont know about any other coutary but in india it is supposed to be the top of all music. Classical music is loved and lived in the fairs, Festivales and every harmonic moment out here. So i define it as divine.

I guess I would define classical music from the era it was written as well as the people who wrote it.

My personal favorite is Mozart and his Requiem is spectacular.

I do love a lot of the classics like Bethoven, Bach, Tchaicovsky but have always been partial to Mozart.

I think most people think of classical music from an era point of view and I say that because we now have "Classic Rock" which refers to the 60's and 70's era rock music.

When someone mentions classical music, I just immediately think of Mozart, Bach, etc...

For me, classical music is technically beautiful and doesn't rely on emotions, or lyrics to give it meaning. It cam be from any era as there are many modern classical composers.

I agree. You can't leave any of the fundamentals of this era out by substituting implemenative ways of new music and sum it up to Classical music. Just an opinion.

classical music is so soothing!!

No singing so just music.

Well, I was always taught that the Classical period in Classical Music started in 1750, just after Bach's death and just before Mozart's birth, and that Bach was a Baroque composer. The Classical Music period ended with Beethoven's death. Personally I refer to everything else as mainstream classical but not of the classical period. Most people have a good idea of what I mean by that.

For me it's about the feel / style of the music. A piece can be played on a flute and be ultra-modern, so it's not the instrument. And if I'm going to a concert that bills itself as having relaxing classical music I wouldn't mind if they had modern-written pieces in that same style. I understand that the word initially had a specific meaning, but meanings change over time. Blues music as a genre has changed over time. I think that's a good thing.

Classical music is art music produced or rooted in the traditions of Western culture, including both liturgical (religious) and secular music. Historically, the term 'classical music' refers specifically to the musical period from 1750 to 1820 (the Classical period).

Mozart and Beethoven's music is still as relevant today as it was in the 18th and 19th centuries. I believe that the basis of classical music is that it traverses generations, cultures and geographic boundaries.

I was think further about this - classics are the wonder composers from long ago and whose works are copied and emulated today (rearrangements, etc.) but there are new classics too from the various ages which are standouts and everyone recognizes.