Classical music can be divided into broad and narrow senses. Broadly speaking, it refers to Western classical music, which is music created in the European mainstream cultural background from the Western Middle Ages to the present. It is different from popular music and folk music mainly because of its complex and diverse creation techniques and the heavy connotation it can carry. In a narrow sense, it refers to classical music, which is the mainstream music in Europe during the period from 1750 to 1820. It is also called the Vienna Classical School. The three most famous composers of this school are Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven.
CLASSICAL MUSIC is translated as "classical music" in Chinese. Some people think that "classical" feels antique and old-fashioned, so it is renamed "classical music". Some people also call it "serious music" based on the definition of classical in the Oxford English Dictionary, in traditional and serious style. As a result, "classical music" has been labeled as "serious" again, making people even more afraid to approach it. But the person who made this definition must not have checked the dictionary carefully, because the second meaning of serious is defined as follows: (referring to books, music, etc.) to inspire thinking, not just for entertainment. Therefore, we know that what makes classical music different from popular music is that it has profound connotations, can make people think deeply, and can make people noble and avoid vulgarity. Let’s take a look at Longman Dictionary’s explanation of classical music: music that people consider serious and that has been popular for a long time. It can be seen that classical music is music that has withstood the test of time, remains popular for a long time, and is loved by everyone. Classical music is an independent genre that emphasizes refinement of artistic techniques and the pursuit of rational expression of emotions.
Classical music is a term with a broad meaning. Western classical music in a broad sense refers to music that has been created from the Western Middle Ages to the present and is created in the context of mainstream European culture, or is rooted in traditional Western liturgy. Music and secular music, its scope covers the entire period from about the 9th century AD to the present. It is mainly different from popular music and folk music because of its complex and diverse creation techniques and the heavy connotation it can carry. Geographically, this music was primarily composed in Europe and the Americas, as opposed to non-Western music. In addition, Western classical music is mainly recorded and disseminated through sheet music, which is different from the oral and heart-to-heart model of most folk music.
Some people also think that "classical" corresponds to "popular" because these music can withstand the test of time and can arouse the excitement of listeners in different eras, so they think it should be called "Classic" music.
But if you look closely at the word classical, its original meaning can be understood as music works that have been passed down from ancient times and can be called classics (ancient + classic). But generally speaking, classical music is music with a regular nature and balance. , clear characteristics, focusing on the beauty of form, are considered to have lasting value, rather than just being popular in a specific era. This is also reflected in the difference between "classical" and "classic".
Classical music originally refers specifically to the German and Austrian music represented by Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven from 1750 to 1830, that is, the music of the so-called "Vienna Classical School" (or translated as "Viennese Classical Music"). This is classical music in the narrow sense.
Starting from this narrow concept of classical music, we can go back to Bach, Handel, and even earlier religious music (including Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox Christianity, and Protestantism), and extend back to Romanticism, folk music, and 20th century Western modern music. These are all classical music in a broad sense, that is, based on this tradition. Whether they are inheriting and carrying forward this tradition, or trying to break through this tradition with innovation, they can all be included in classical music. Although music that develops independently outside this tradition has borrowed from and influenced classical music creation, it is generally not included in classical music, such as jazz, rock music, and the music of some Eastern ethnic groups.
Therefore, for the broad term "classical music", the definition of European art music is more accurate.
The main difference between European art music and other non-European music and popular music systems is the different notation methods. Its rules are roughly derived from the notation methods that have been used since the 16th century. In Western notation, the composer stipulates the pitch, meter, speed, unique rhythm and accurate performance method for the same piece of music to the performer. This notation model, which leaves little room for improvisation, differs greatly from non-European art music (as opposed to traditional Japanese and Indian music) and popular music.
Classical music, as a name for a category in music, exists relative to categories such as light music and popular music. It does not have a strict and clear explanation or definition.
In the field of light music, the concept of "classical" is sometimes used to refer to certain light music works that have been tested by time and are regarded as models by people, such as classical operettas, classical jazz, etc. Classical here is understood as "ancient + classic", It seems more appropriate.
When people listen to the music works of Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert and other classical musicians, it brings them not only beautiful melodies, interesting music, but also sincere emotions. , or quiet and elegant, or shocking and inspiring, or joyful and happy, or sad and melancholy...[1]