| Classical music is governed by some known | | | | concert goers also include the middle class |
| conventions that have its roots in a variety of | | | | audience. |
| forms, genres, styles and historical periods. These | | | | Timeline - This form of music passed through |
| features together go in defining the term 'classical | | | | several stages. It has its roots ingrained in |
| music.' Music rated as classical has always made | | | | medieval times, even dating back to ancient |
| its thumping presence felt. With the evolution of | | | | Greeks. The form has evolved a lot in the |
| the popular music forms, the dominance of the | | | | present age. It still has major time divisions like |
| classical form has not diminished. In-fact, it further | | | | the Medieval (476 - 1400) and Renaissance (1400 |
| magnified with new forms and codes. | | | | - 1600). Then there is the common practice |
| There are several factors that define Classical | | | | period that includes Baroque (1600 - 1750), |
| Music. These can be classified under the following | | | | Classical (1730 - 1820) and Romantic Periods (1895 |
| heads:- | | | | - 1910). The modern contemporary period includes |
| Instrumentation - This is one way of classifying | | | | 20th Century Classical (1900 - 2000) and |
| the classical genre of music. Different instruments | | | | contemporary classical (1975 to current). |
| are brought to use for creating the symphony | | | | The form of music which is preserved as classical |
| that make it classical. Various string instruments | | | | is primarily a written musical tradition. These |
| like violin, string, woodwind instruments, brass | | | | written works are then given expression in the |
| instruments and other diverse percussion are | | | | form of recordings, oral transformations and |
| commonly used to give this form of music a | | | | musical notes. Music plays an effective role in |
| unique style. However, nowadays electronic | | | | transmitting classical notations. The written |
| instruments like electric guitars are occasionally | | | | instructions, however, do not have explicit |
| brought to use. | | | | instructions. But, music does help to build the |
| Form and Technical Execution - The classical form | | | | mood of a classical masterpiece. It helps in better |
| generally take the form of a song, symphony, | | | | understanding of the masterpieces. |
| dance music, chamber suite, symphony, concerto, | | | | A great influence of the classical form of music |
| electronic music and more. The composition of | | | | lies in its cultural durability. It is interesting to note |
| this form of music requires expertise as a lot of | | | | its evolution from past to the present form. The |
| complexities are involved in arriving at a balance | | | | form has taken materials from popular music and |
| between its emotional content and the music that | | | | folk music. Yet it retained its originality and |
| accompanies it. The Classical Guitar Music is one | | | | showed up as updated versions of the classical |
| such example of complex composition. | | | | masterpieces. |
| Complexity - The complexities involved in making | | | | The commercialism of classical music has |
| of classical works are not just confined to | | | | popularised it among the people. Now, DVDs of |
| instruments and beats. But a lot of it lies in the | | | | the latest versions of classical music are available |
| development, modulation, musical phrases and | | | | in retail stores. The prices of the DVDs are kept |
| even length and variations of tones. A perfect | | | | low and so all income group people can buy the |
| combination of all these features results in the | | | | DVDs from the Classical Music Stores. People now |
| development of a perfect symphony of music. | | | | need not go to a theatre to watch a |
| In-fact, the large scale classical works are built | | | | performance. In-fact, theatre comes to home in |
| from smaller units of musical compositions. | | | | the form of the DVDs.The classical music CDs |
| Society - The classical forms of music maintains a | | | | have made it very simple for people to get |
| repute of being a choice of the upper-level | | | | acquainted to classical forms of music. Most of |
| society. The music has never been popular among | | | | the current masterpieces are compiled in CDs and |
| the working class. However, it is not compulsory | | | | sold in the market. This has made it possible for |
| as most of the classical musicians fall in the middle | | | | people to have a library of the classical form of |
| class range. The Classical Music CD buyers and | | | | music at their homes. |