BellaOnline Forums Books and Music Classical Music How do YOU Define Classical Music?

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.

What makes Classical Music "Classical"? multiple choice
	The era in which it was written
	The composer who wrote it
	The instrument(s) used
	The arena in which it is performed
	other (explain)
Votes accepted starting: 09/27/06 12:29 AM You must vote before you can view the results of this poll.

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.