| Focus | Orchestral and chamber music |
| Timeframe | 16th century - present |
| Cultural Role | Maintains an important role in many nations, with an evolving audience and relevance |
| Iconic Composers | |
| Notable Developments | Baroque contrapuntal works • Diverse national schools • Avant-garde experimentations • Blending of electronic and world music |
Classical music refers to the formal musical tradition that originated in Western Europe and spread across the world over the past four centuries. Characterized by an emphasis on complex harmonies, sophisticated compositional techniques, and the veneration of iconic composers, the classical tradition has continuously evolved while retaining its status as a pillar of high culture.
The Baroque era, spanning roughly 1600 to 1820, was a period of ornate, emotionally-expressive musical composition and performance. Defined by the use of basso continuo, counterpoint, and a focus on instrumental music and opera, key composers of the Baroque included J.S. Bach, George Frideric Handel, Antonio Vivaldi, and Jean-Baptiste Lully. The Baroque style gradually gave way to the more restrained and Classical idiom in the late 18th century.
The rise of Romanticism in classical music occurred more gradually in this timeline, without the seismic shifts associated with composers like Ludwig van Beethoven. Nonetheless, the early Romantic period from 1780 to 1880 saw the flourishing of expressive, emotive musical forms such as the symphony, concerto, and lieder. Major figures included Franz Schubert, Frédéric Chopin, Robert Schumann, and Hector Berlioz. This era also saw the increasing popularity of solo piano and opera.
In the latter half of the 19th century, classical music diversified into distinct national schools and Romantic styles. While composers like Richard Wagner, Johannes Brahms, and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky gained international fame, many others developed innovative regional voices. These included Edvard Grieg (Norway), Antonín Dvořák (Bohemia), Isaac Albéniz (Spain), and Leoš Janáček (Moravia). By the early 20th century, composers were increasingly incorporating folk music, exoticism, and modernist elements into classical forms.
The classical tradition in the 20th century witnessed a proliferation of diverse styles, from the neoclassical works of Igor Stravinsky to the atonal experiments of the Second Viennese School. Notable composers included Claude Debussy, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Aaron Copland, Olivier Messiaen, and Dmitri Shostakovich. An increasing number also blended classical elements with jazz, folk music, and electronic music. This cross-pollination expanded the audience and relevance of classical music in the modern era.
While no longer the dominant musical force it once was, classical music continues to play an important role in the cultural life of many nations. Major symphony orchestras, opera companies, and music festivals remain fixtures, supported by both public and private funding. Compositions from the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic eras are staples of the concert hall repertoire. At the same time, contemporary classical composers seek to adapt the tradition to 21st century tastes and technologies, ensuring its continued relevance. The enduring popularity of classical recording, radio, and streaming attests to its ongoing place in global culture.
