Classical music is music that was (is) written to be played a specific way with specific orchestrations -- be they quartets, full orchestras, solo instruments (piano, organ, guitar), singers or any combination thereof. In its broadest sense it was written from the eras of Bach to Ligeti, but strictly speaking involves the period of Mozart, Haydn and early Beethoven. Forms include symphonies, concert overtures, concertos, operas and many others. I find it odd that when the phrase "Classical Music" is used most people never realize just how multi-faceted and encompassing the genre actually is. (A good many film composers were excellent classical composers in their own right -- B. Herrmann, S. Prokofiev, M. Rosza, J. Williams, just to name a few, and their styles of composition carried over to the screen.) The music from the film Psycho was written in the most strict classical forms, as too was North by Northwest -- their soundtracks play like symphonic tone poems. Most people would probably not realize that a good amount of music they recognize is in fact Classical Music ... composers like Franz List and Rossini quickly come to mind.

So, why do many people poo poo it? Personally, I think it's because so many don't understand or even know much about it ... and that's not meant to be insulting, just an observation. How many can name a composer for every letter of the alphabet? -- Albeniz, Brahms, Chopin, Dvorak ... etc., and then give a work by each? Wow, that's a lot, eh? -- doesn't even scratch the surface! You could listen to days (if not weeks) of music by each one, that's how much there is to explore. And then do the whole alphabet over again with different composers. And then you would be surprised as to how much of that music is incorporated into today's popular music -- and how much of yesterday's popular (folk) music was used by classical composers -- listen to Dvorak's New World Symphony as an example.

There's so much out there it's almost impossible not to like some aspect of it -- and chances are, you already do.
Classical Music that is easily liked ...

F. J. Haydn -- Trumpet Concerto in E flat major.
R. Strauss -- Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks.
I. Stravinsky -- Symphony No. 1.
M. Moszkowski -- Concerto for Piano.
A. Bruckner -- Symphony no. 4 (Romantic)
by Opiner October 29, 2006
Top Definition



Everybody knows that Rappers got famous because the majority of moron Americans would rather listen to &#8220;Come and lick my lollipop, you ho!&#8221; rather than listen to true beautiful emotion classical music.

Anyone can rap:
2: Repeat step 1 six times
3: Invite 5 of ya gang around
4: Give them a microphone and and a synthesizer
5: Give each person a different sheet with random notes
6: Record the result
7: Get some dumbass MTV person to broadcast your shit.

Most movies these days only use classical music a.k.a. real music rather than that fucking rap shit like 8 Mile, the worst movie ever made.

The reason classical is only played during movies nowadays is because:
1: If they played rap, people would die
2: The movie industry is too civilized for Rap.



by Level 12 August 04, 2005
1) Historically the style of art music common in Europe during the period between the middle of the 17th century and the beginning of the 18th century. The works of Haydn and Mozart and the earlier work of Beethoven (who also played a large role in the transition from classical to romantic) are prime examples. Bach isn't classical. Tchaikovskij isn't classical. Chopin isn't classical.
2) In common language all art music made between the early 17th century to present, usually by composers with education or at least some knowledge of the art of composition. (In other words, practically all art music from the early 17th century up until now.)

There is a lot of prejudice against both of the above definitions of the term.
Classical music is exemplified by such composers as Haydn and Mozart.
by EldKatt July 08, 2003
The best music there is. Far superior to any popular music such as rap, rock, etc. Classical music is real music with real emotion and complexity and grandness of conception. It has been around for hundreds of years and its greatness cannot be denied. It will always be around unlike something stupid like rap, which is so simplistic and for the simple-minded morons. Also, it takes much skill, intelligence, practice, and virtuosity to play classical music, unlike rap, which all you need is a damn ugly voice. Rappers can't even speak proper english anyways.

People who listen to classical music get 2400's on their SAT's and go to Harvard.

People who listen to rap don't even take the SAT and if they do, get 1000 and go to jail.
Great, beautiful, profound, intellectual, virtuostic, etc. etc. etc.: Classical music
Rap: stupid, uncivilized, barbaric, simple, feeble-minded, etc. etc. etc.
by virtuoso735 June 01, 2006
The true old school of all music.
Your mom is classical.
by yeah May 06, 2003
The art music of several cultures most notably European, American, Arabic, Chinese, Indian and Japanese.

The difference between popular music and classical are in there nature and composition. Classical often using intricate arrangements, professional trained singers and lush complex orchestral works.

It does not only mean European art music from the first half of the 16th century to the late 19th century, thats called ethnocentrism and should be condemned along with the notion that people stopped making classical music in the 20th century. I suggest looking up Ludovico Einaudi, his work might not be so complex as Mozart but he plays the piano like a possesed man.

I would like to note that i love classical music myself for its complexity and sheer utter beauty, but i condem most people who think its a way to be better then the common people. There are no common people there are only people who strive to be, and learn about themselves and those who fear what others think about them.

And stop bitching about RAP, i do not like the music genre myself but you can not expect someone with a brain the size of a nut to comprehend anything more complex then simple beats and a stupid excuse for poetry. If you condemn something you are just showing how close minded you really are. For example Pink Floyd and early Metallica made music that is just as beautiful and complex as a lot of classical music pieces. You do not hear how complex Metallica is because your brain can not handle the speed at which it is played.
The classical music buff pities the punk for not being able to enjoy the complex beauty of classical music, and the punk condemns the classical buff because he will never be able to feel the rush of adrenaline going through him. I laugh at both of them when i switch from the Talking Heads to Ludovico Einaudi.
by crowscream June 30, 2006
music that came from truly talented people, not just rappers that say a bunch of words really fast about sex and drugs and how cool they are. i like certain rappers that actually have good songs, so im not biased. the only reason people dont appreciate classical music is because they're such simpletons that they cant bear to listen to the inspirational music of geniuses cuz theyre just too dumb and unappreciative and they dont understand what music is. and to those who say classical music has no emotion, take into account that beats and tempo vary depending on the mood. so does the pitch of the notes. so does the key. different keys have different moods. like some are light and airy while others are deep and royal. oh, and the fact that the composers and musicians could express their emotions without words is incredible too. if you took away the words of 50 cent's songs, you would have no emotion whatsoever. and if u added in the words, the only emotion that is expressed is horniness, drugginess, coolness, and violence. so dont tell me that classical music is shit cz so is any1 who cant appreciate it.
cool dude: classical music was the first and truest music, which will always be loved by someone, as opposed to rap which will only last for a few decades cuz MOSt, not all, is suckish.

fuk'd dude: loser.

cool dude: o, so sorry. i gess u think genius multimillionares like myself are losers. love 2 chat, but theres my limo.
by music freeak July 25, 2006
1. Historically, orchestral or chamber music written in northern Europe during the 1700s to 1900s, represented by composers such as Bach, Beethoven, Tchaikovskiy, Johann Gambolputty de von Ausfern Schplenden-schlitter... I'll start again.
2. Music derived from those forms of music, represented by people like Philip Glass (and occasionally people like Paul McCartney and Billy Joel).
3. A fad with racist/elitist overtones for parents who want their kids to graduate from nursery school and go straight to college.
4. Music that, despite its apparent pretentiousness and overbearing arrangements, is actually pretty cool when no one's trying to shove it down your throat.
by Brian X May 03, 2003
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