classical music
classical music
Pronunciation
classical music:
/ˈklæsɪkl ˈmjuːzɪk/
clas-: /klæs/
si-: /ɪ/
cal: /kl̩/ (syllabic 'l')
mu-: /mjuː/
sic: /zɪk/
Word Form Variations
The term "classical music" is primarily used as a noun phrase.
Singular: classical music
Plural: classical music (The term itself is often treated as a singular concept, even when referring to multiple pieces or genres within it. You wouldn't typically say "classical musics.")
While "classical" can be an adjective on its own and "music" can be a noun, the phrase "classical music" functions as a fixed unit.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
classical music
A broad genre of art music, primarily originating from the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a period from roughly the 11th century to the present day. It is characterized by its emphasis on formal structure, intricate composition, and often a focus on orchestral or chamber instrumentation, designed for attentive listening rather than primarily for dancing or background accompaniment.
Synonyms: art music, serious music, concert music, orchestral music
Antonyms: pop music, popular music, folk music, jazz, rock music, contemporary music (in some contexts)
Specifically, music composed during the Classical period of Western art music history (roughly 1750-1820), exemplified by composers such as Mozart, Haydn, and early Beethoven, characterized by clarity, balance, and formal elegance.
Synonyms: Viennese Classical music, Age of Reason music
Antonyms: Baroque music, Romantic music, modern classical music (referring to later periods)
Examples of Use
Books: "Her love for classical music began with her grandmother's extensive collection of vinyl records, particularly the symphonies of Beethoven and Brahms." (Example from a fictional narrative, common in biographical or coming-of-age novels)
Newspapers: "The Nairobi Orchestra will perform a program of French classical music next month, featuring works by Debussy and Ravel." (The Daily Nation)
Online Publications: "How has streaming changed the way we consume classical music? A new report from the Royal Philharmonic Society sheds light on audience trends." (Gramophone Magazine online)
Entertainment Mediums (Film/TV): A character in a film might say, "I can't study without some good classical music playing in the background; it helps me focus." (Common trope in movies and TV shows to establish character interests or mood)
Entertainment Platforms (Spotify/Apple Music): "Discover playlists like 'Peaceful Piano' and 'Orchestral Masterpieces' under our classical music genre section." (Promotional text on music streaming platforms)
General Public Discourse: "My parents always listened to classical music on Sunday mornings; it was a tradition." (Common conversational usage)
General Public Discourse: "There's a debate brewing among music critics about whether contemporary film scores can truly be considered classical music." (Informal discussion or academic discourse)
10 Quotes Using Classical Music
"There are two kinds of music: good music and bad music. I play the good kind." This quote, often attributed to Louis Armstrong, while not directly using "classical music," is frequently invoked in discussions comparing genres, including classical music. (Attributed to Louis Armstrong)
"Jazz will endure just as long as people hear it a lot more than they talk about it. As soon as they start talking about it too much, it will become classical music." (Clint Eastwood, The New York Times, 1988)
"I believe that classical music is for everybody. I believe that it can change people's lives." (Yo-Yo Ma, BBC News, 2007)
"You take classical music, you can do what you want with it." (John Zorn, The Wire, 2000)
"I'm not a classical music person. I'm a rock and roll person." (Ozzy Osbourne, Rolling Stone, 2011)
"When you listen to classical music, you are listening to something that has been refined over hundreds of years." (André Rieu, The Guardian, 2017)
"I always felt that if I had been born in a different era, I would have been a classical music composer." (Lady Gaga, Vogue, 2011)
"My passion for classical music began quite early." (Daniel Barenboim, The Guardian, 2005)
"People are sometimes afraid of classical music because they think it's too complicated or too serious." (Marin Alsop, NPR, 2019)
"The future of classical music depends on how we educate our children." (Gustavo Dudamel, Los Angeles Times, 2014)
Etymology
Let's break down the etymology of "classical music" into its two main parts: "classical" and "music."
Classical:
The word "classical" comes from the Latin word "classicus." In ancient Rome, a "classicus" was a citizen who belonged to the highest class of Roman society. So, originally, it meant something of the "highest rank" or "first-class."
Over time, this idea of "highest rank" or "model" started to be applied to literature and art. By the 2nd century AD, scholars were using "classicus" to describe writers who were considered of the highest quality. Think of authors like Virgil or Homer – they were seen as excellent examples or "classics."
In English, the word "classical" started being used in the mid-1500s, initially to describe things of the "highest rank" in literature. Later, it specifically came to mean "relating to or characteristic of ancient Greek and Roman antiquity" (around the 1620s), because the art and literature from that period were seen as the ultimate models of excellence.
Music:
The word "music" has an even older root. It comes from the ancient Greek word "mousikē" (τέχνη), which literally means "(art) of the Muses." In Greek mythology, the Muses were nine goddesses who inspired various arts and sciences, including music, poetry, and dance. So, "music" originally referred to any art that the Muses presided over, but it gradually narrowed down to mean what we understand as musical sound.
The Greek "mousikē" traveled through Latin as "musica" and then into Old French as "musique" before arriving in English as "music" around the mid-13th century.
Putting "Classical Music" Together:
The full phrase "classical music" is much newer. It first started appearing in the English language around 1836. At this time, it was used to describe a certain style of music, specifically to contrast it with the "romantic music" that was becoming popular. Essentially, it referred to the established, formal, and often grand orchestral works that had come before, like those by Bach, Haydn, and Mozart. It implied a sense of tradition, excellence, and a "classic" or enduring quality, much like the "classic" writers of ancient times.
So, in simple terms, "classical music" refers to a type of music that is considered of the highest quality and has stood the test of time, much like the "classic" works of literature and art from ancient Greece and Rome.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Classical Music
A deep dive into classical music: To explore the genre in depth.
The canon of classical music: Referring to the established, important works within the genre.
A staple of classical music concerts: Something commonly featured in performances.
The golden age of classical music: A period considered to be the peak of the genre's development.
A connoisseur of classical music: Someone with expert knowledge and appreciation.
To revere classical music: To hold it in high esteem.
To have an ear for classical music: To possess an innate understanding or appreciation for it.
To bridge the gap between popular and classical music: To create connections or make the genre more accessible.
Idioms using "Music" (with similar relevance):
To face the music: To accept the unpleasant consequences of one's actions (often used metaphorically, can imply a serious, unavoidable reckoning, much like a formal classical music piece).
Music to my ears: Something that is pleasant or welcome to hear (can be applied to any good news, just as classical music can be pleasing).
To set something to music: To compose music for a text or performance (directly related to the act of creating music, including classical music).
To change one's tune: To alter one's opinion or attitude (can relate to shifting perspectives on genres, like from one kind of classical music to another).
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of classical music from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
