Classical music is a broad term. Western classical music in a broad sense refers to those music created from the Middle Ages to the present under the background of European mainstream culture, or refers to traditional etiquette music and secular music rooted in the West, covering all periods from the 9th century to the present. It is different from pop music and folk music mainly because of its complex and diverse creative techniques and heavy connotation. Geographically, these music are mainly composed in Europe and America, which is relative to non-western music. In addition, western classical music is mainly recorded and disseminated in the form of musical scores, which is different from the oral and psychological teaching modes of most folk music.
Some people think that "classical" corresponds to "popular", because these music can stand the test of time and resonate with audiences of different times, so it should be called "classic" music.
However, if we look closely at the word classical, the original meaning can be understood as classical music works handed down from ancient times (ancient+classic), but generally speaking, classical music is music with regular essence, balanced and clear characteristics, and pays attention to the aesthetic feeling of form, which is considered to have lasting value, not just popular in a specific era. This is also reflected in the difference between "classic" and "classic".
Classical music originally refers to the music represented by Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven in Germany and Austria during the period of 1750- 1830, that is, the so-called "Vienna Classical Music School" (or translated as "Vienna Classical Music"). This is classical music in a narrow sense.
Starting from this narrow concept of classical music, it can be traced back to Bach, Gandel, even earlier religious music (including Catholicism, Roman Catholicism, Orthodox Church and Protestantism), and it can be traced back to romanticism, folk music and western modern music in the 20th century. These are classical music in a broad sense, that is, based on this tradition, whether it is to inherit and carry forward this tradition or to try to break through this tradition with innovation, it can be classified as classical music. Music independently developed outside this tradition, although drawing on and influencing the creation of classical music, is generally not included in classical music, such as jazz, rock music and the music of some ethnic groups in the East.
Therefore, for the word "classical music" in a broad sense, the definition of European art music is more accurate.
The development of history
Gregory period
When it comes to European classical music, we can't help but mention the music of Elizabethan period and Gregory period in the middle ages, among which religious music is dominant! At that time, people's belief and worship of Christ directly influenced the politics and music of the society at that time. At that time, the music was purely religious, limited to singing in the church, and there were no musical instruments. However, it has played an important role in the future development of music!
Influence of the Renaissance
By 1450, European music began to enter the Renaissance. Because of the unstable political situation in Europe at that time, the prestige and power of the Vatican began to weaken, and the bourgeoisie sprouted. In order to adapt to the social development and people's new ideas at that time, music began to promote people-oriented ideas, so the Renaissance movement began in all fields, that is, at that time, the traditional European big and small modes gradually formed!
From 65438 to 0600, Europe entered a period of great development-Baroque period. At that time, there were not only great composers like Bach and Handel, but also operas, concertos and sonatas.
Music style change
When European music entered the classical period, that is, after Bach died in 1750, there was no successor to European polyphonic music, and the music style turned to a simple and practical theme. At that time, there were three musicians: Haydn, the father of symphony, Mozart, a prodigy, and Beethoven, a musical saint! The theme of music has gradually changed from religious music that lasted for centuries to classical music with philosophical connotation!
1827 After Beethoven's death, the rigorous classical period ended. At that time, Europe was being baptized by romanticism. At that time, composers used composition as a means to express their inner feelings, which further developed the aesthetics of music and produced dazzling techniques and other musical expressions! Such as Paganini and Liszt. He was a very popular performer at that time! Music forms and styles are becoming more and more abundant, and some national composers have emerged, such as sibelius of Finland, Grieg of Norway and the Russian Top Five, all of whom are great composers of the national music school. Classical music series entered the19th century, and impressionist music led by Debussy appeared! The music performance was brilliant, similar to the painting style at that time!
In the late period of romanticism, that is, the most brilliant and final period of European tonality system, we have to mention composers such as Rachmaninov and Mahler, who developed the traditional European composition methods to the extreme, including new attempts, and such grand works as Mahler's Eighth Symphony Chorus of a Thousand People appeared. Then there is Stravinsky, whose neoclassicism advocates polyphony and counterpoint, and adopts polytonality, which has played a vital role in the transformation of traditional composition to avantgarde music in the future!
By the end of 19 and the beginning of the 20th century, music had a breakthrough development. The composers who started from Weber broke the twelve-tone composition method, abandoned the tonality system in Europe for nearly 400 years, invented the twelve-tone sequence, and then atonality and other musical forms appeared, such as Schoenberg at that time! After World War II, science and technology became more developed, people's ideas became richer, electronic music appeared, cultural exchanges between countries continued to merge, and music forms became richer and more diversified! The music after 1945 is called avantgarde music. At this time, music has shaken people's views on the beauty of music, become more theoretical, and produced music forms that people can't understand, such as silent music, noise and differential sounds!
Note: According to the broad definition of classical music, both impressionist music and modern music belong to classical music from professional music creation in17th century to19th century. According to the strict definition of classical music, classicism refers to the musical works of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven.
Medieval period
(Middle Ages) (1450 years ago)
This period is mainly a collection of songs preserved by the Roman Catholic Church and widely sung in the church. Most of them are used in two kinds of liturgy: one is mass, and the lyrics are to commemorate Christ's last supper and his dedication, which is the center of church ceremony; The second is the day class, which is the eight sacred lessons sung by the temple every day, mainly poetry. Gregorian chant recommendation
grotesque
(baroque) (about a.d.1600-1750)
The music of this period is the first time in modern concerts. Baroque music under the composer has obvious characteristics: gorgeous, complex, decorative, distorted, surrealism and grandeur, which can be integrated with each other. If the Renaissance (and later the classical era) represented an orderly and clear performance, then the Baroque era (and later the romantic era) represented turmoil, anxiety and doubt. Four-part harmony and "digital bass" which uses words to express chords were both produced in the Baroque era. The disappearance of the old church mode, the rise of the major and minor scale system and the related tonality that has been used to this day are major events in the Baroque era. In addition, the idea of rhythm also germinated in this era, that is, adding bar lines to the score. These forms will be directly derived into sonatas, symphonies, concertos, preludes and variations. But there were also some free forms in the Baroque era-such as touching music, fantasia, overture and theme imitation (ancient fantasia).
Classical period
(Classic) (about 1750— 1820)
Because the three representatives of this period: Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven mainly lived and created in Vienna, they were also called "Vienna Classical Music School" or "Vienna Classical Music". Among the writers of this period, Mozart's serenade and roaming are very affinity. Haydn's cello concertos No.1 and No.2 will also be very suitable for beginners to enjoy. As for Beethoven's works, profound acoustics are within reach. Personally, I appreciate his violin sonatas Spring, piano sonatas Pathetique, Passion and Moonlight.
Romantic period
(Romanticism) (about1820-1900).
Music in this period paid more attention to the expression of people's spiritual realm and subjective feelings, the performance of natural scenery became more and more prominent, and the application of national folk music was paid more attention and frequently in creation. /kloc-in the middle and late 20th century, a school of folk music with the mission of reviving folk music appeared. In terms of music genre, new instrumental solo genres have emerged, such as nocturne, improvisation, narrative, scherzo, fantasia, songs without words and so on. There are many kinds of works in this period, each with its own characteristics. Introductory songs include Schubert's Selected Art Songs and The Beautiful Mill Girl. Chopin's Nocturne and Piano Concerto No.2; Mendelssohn Violin Concerto and Piano Concerto No.1 and No.2; Wagner's opera overture; Brahms' first and third symphonies; Tchaikovsky violin concerto and piano concerto no.1; Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No.2, Paganini Theme and Variations; La Ro's Spanish symphony; Ravel piano concerto in g major.
Works in the 20th century include Brittany's Guide to Youth Orchestral Orchestra and Symphony Minor, Stravinsky's Boccinella and Petrosi Card, and prokofiev's Piano Sonata No.7 and Piano Concerto No.1. Here we recommend Variations on Weber Symphony by German composer Haendly, Symphony by painter Matthews, Equestrian Competition by American composer Copland and An Ordinary Man's.