Classical Music guide and resources. Collection of the best music, books and movies.
Today, classical music (Western) is defined as traditional European music that includes such forms as chamber music, opera, and symphony, and which is distinguished from folk or popular music or jazz.
Classical Music has the following characteristics.
- Trills – Alternate your fingers / notes.
- Arpeggios – Chord played one note at a time in quick succession.
- Scales – Play some section of Major / Minor scale as fill-in.
- Octaves – Use this music interval frequently.
You will normally use trills, arpeggios and scales while playing songs or sections of pieces that are soft and melodic. But there are many other compositions which can be loud and dramatic.
Read more here on How to play classical piano…Eras/Periods of Western Classical Music
Today classical music is reproduced in many forms. It has found its way into the popular domain in advertising jingles and in the musical scores of some movies. Nevertheless, love for classical music in its original form still lives on. For example, there are many classical music lovers who continue to experience the grandeur of Mozart’s works at home on CD or attend specially held recitals to marvel at the maestro that Mozart was.
What is Western Classical Music
Western Classical Music focuses primarily on the development of music in the European region. It generally refers to music that has its roots in western art, church music, and concert music.
Here are the main periods/eras of classical music and the main composers during that time.
The origins of western classical music can be traced back to the middle ages. One of the major influences in music was the Catholic Church. Pope Gregory I is said to have codified the Gregorian chant, which then became a base for most tunes of the time. The tunes of the Gregorian chant were monophonic, consisting of a single melody with no harmonic support or accompaniment.
It was only during the Renaissance period that tunes started to become polyphonic in nature. After the Renaissance, the major development in music was Baroque, a highly ornamental style, popularized by eminent composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach with pipe organ and harpsichord being the more favored instruments.
- 20th Century Music: Modern period where classical works is inspired by jazz, folk and native music.
- Romantic Period: Music from (1820-1910), filled with emotion, intense energy and passion, this era produced some fantastic works.
- Classical Period: Music from (1750-1820), saw the introduction of a form (sonata form) that has dominated instrumental composition to the present day. the focus was more on balance and structure.
- Baroque Period / Era: Music from (1600-1750), an era that saw an explosion of styles and forms. Music in that era was known for its intricate ornamentation.
- Renaissance Period: Music from the 14th to 16th centuries, an era of re-birth and discovery for composers. Characterized by increase of secular music, madrigals, and art song
- Early Music: Medieval and Pre-Renaissance Music from the 6th to the 15th Century, the era that laid the foundations for the composers that were to come. Characterized by Gregorian chant, mostly religious.
Greatest Classical Music Composers of All time
Classical music continues to inspire even today, especially the works by the greatest composers of all times. These masters may have lived hundreds of years ago, but their masterpieces still impress and inspire.
Classical music was characterized by the importance of the sonata form, a construction that, in its simplest terms, consists of a thematic material (exposition), development and a return of the original themes (recapitulation). Another significant development of the Classical period was the rise of instrumental music, especially the symphony.
Three of the most famous and influential composers of the Classical period were Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791), Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) and Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827).
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791
Austrian composer Mozart mastered keyboard and violin at the age of 5 and was a child prodigy in music performance, Mozart was famous even before he began composing for a living, and entertained royalty throughout Europe. His father took him on tours of Europe–often lying about his age to make his skills seem even more impressive.Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
German composer and pianist was the tallest figure during transition period between Classical and Romantic, and also considered as one of the most famous classical music composers of all times. Beethoven is often cited as a Romantic composer, but while his work exemplifies the transition between the two musical periods, it is firmly anchored in the Classical tradition. Beethoven is best known for his symphonies. Beethoven’s work is also considered significant because of the deafness he developed later in life; he composed several pieces without the benefit of hearing them.
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
German organist, composer, violist and violinist, Bach wrote over 1100 compositions; his best known works include the Brandenburg Concertos, Air on the G String, Toccata and Fugue in D minor and Arioso.
Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)
Italian composer Verdi was a dominant figure of the 19th century Italian classical music and is best known for his operas. Popular operas include Nabucco, La traviata, Rigoletto, Aida, Don Carlos, Otello and Falstaff.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was a big Mozart fan and did some outstanding work. Popular works include Swan Lake, the Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty.Frederic Chopin (1810-1849)
Polish composer Chopin was a virtuoso pianist who wrote two piano concertos and three sonatas, and is also credited with the invention of the instrumental ballade and several musical innovations. Popular works include Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9 No. 2, Funeral March (Prelude in C minor), Minute Waltz (Waltz in D-flat major), Revolutionary Etude (Op.10, No.12) and Fantasie-Impromptu (Op. Posth. 66).
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
Italian Baroque composer and violin virtuoso Vivaldi is known for instrumental concertos for violin. His greatest masterpiece is a series of violin concertos called Le quattro stagioni (The Four Seasons). Other works include operas, sacred choral music, symphonies, sonatas and chamber music.
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
One of the greatest masters of Baroque era, German-born British composer Handel’s popular works include the Messiah, Sarabande, Water Music and Music for the Royal Fireworks.
Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
Haydn was a prolific composer; his better-known pieces include the “Surprise” symphony (No. 94), the “Creation” oratorio (1798) and the “Kaiserhymne” or “Emperor’s Hymn” (1797), which became the Austrian national anthem (and later the national anthem of Germany, “Deutschland, Deutschland uber alles”).
Claude Debussy (1862 – 1918)
French composer Claude Debussy composed several innovative works throughout his career, including the well-loved “Clair de Lune.”
About Johann Pachelbel (1653 – 1706)
Johann Pachelbel, famous for his organ music, is considered to be among the last great German Baroque composers. His ‘Canon’ is today one of the most popular Baroque Music pieces, and arranged by musicians on various kinds of musical instruments.
Beethoven vs Mozart – Who Was the Greatest?
When you talk about classical music, Mozart and Beethoven are considered to be giants. Some of their popular compositions continue to be used even today in commercials, ringtones and other audio-visual works.
While there is bound to be comparison, the fact is they were different not just in their personality but also in their musical styles. It is also believed that Beethoven always wanted to learn from Mozart but unfortunately Mozart died at quite a young age and Beethoven’s ambition to have lessons from Mozart never materialised.
Since Mozart was already a known personality and his works were already popular, it is believed that Mozart had a powerful influence on the works of Ludwig van Beethoven as well.
Here are some of the differences between these two great that have also been cited by several other musicians.
- In terms of personality, Mozart was a happy and upbeat person as opposed to Beethoven who was more of a grumpy person
- Mozart played for the royals, whereas Beethoven played for the masses
- It is believed that composition came effortlessly to Mozart whereas Beethoven had to work hard at his compositions and often struggled more at his work than Mozart did
- Mozart started his musical career at a very young age but also died quite young, at 35. Beethoven, on the other hand, did not even publish his first symphony until he was 30. He became deaf at around 50 and died when he was 56 years old.
Mozart had a lighter personality and most of his music was simple and written keeping in mind the less technical players in mind. His music was intended to be soothing to listen to, and was designed for any skill level to play.
Beethoven, on the other hand, wrote a lot of music that had tension and ruthlessness in the music, something that matched his angry personality.
Many feel that Mozart was the King of the Opera, whereas for Symphonies, Sonatas, and probably the rest, Beethoven ruled.
Various Classical Musical Forms: Symphony, Concerto, Sonata
A musical form (or musical architecture) basically means the structure of a piece of music. Every music composition is divided into various sections based on a structure. Here are some of the popular musical forms, commonly found in classical music. It refers to the arrangement of the various sections within a piece of music.
Sonata
Means a piece is played as opposed to sung (only one instrument played in a style similar to singing). The solo instrumentalist could be accompanied by a smaller chamber orchestra (just three or four musicians).
The Sonata form is one of the most commonly used forms in classical music. The first movements of symphonies and concertos, as well as chamber and solo instrumental works by these composers are organized into Sonata form.
The Sonata form is divided into three main sections: exposition, development, and recapitulation (homecoming section).
The sonata, as generally accepted today, is a a piece of played music that usually follows the pattern of four movements: Allegro – a lively open piece. Andante, or Largo – a slower movement. Minuet, or Scherzo – a light, dance type movement. Finale – Rondo, or some other lively piece, sometimes a repeat of the Allegro.
Note that the Baroque use of the Sonata was bit different to that in the Classical and Romantic periods.
Symphony
Extended composition usually for an orchestra and comprises several movements (usually four). It features a big group of musicians who play together on various instruments, usually including strings, woodwind, brass and percussion.
A symphony will typically have the following movements: First movement: Brisk and lively. Second movement: Slow and lyrical. Third movement: Dancy and rhythmic (usually written in 3/4 time). Final movement: Fast and furious.
Some symphonies may use vocal parts as well (e.g., Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony).
Concerto
Concerto is a musical composition for instruments in which a solo instrument is set off against an orchestral ensemble; the soloist and ensemble are related to each other by alternation, competition, and combination. So in a concerto, you will have a pianist or a violinist right in the front of the whole orchestra (backing them up).
A classical concerto is usually played in three movements.
- A quick opening movement in sonata form including a cadenza (which may be improvised by the soloist).
- A slow, free expressive movement
- A faster rondo
Coda
It revolves around two independent musical ideas, aach theme isn’t just a melody, but a whole passage of music which might have tempo changes, accompaniments, changes in volume, as well as lots of transitions between the themes. You will find this in almost every symphony.
Rondo
This one used to be really popular as the last movement of a symphony. It takes the format: Theme A. Theme B. Theme A. Theme C. Theme A. Theme D. Basically there is one piece of music which the orchestra keeps returning to. In between these repeated sections are lots of other musical diversions, which might vary a lot in tempo, key, intensity.
Top Best Piano Concertos
A piano concerto is a composition in which a solo piano (or harpsichord) is accompanied by a large ensemble of other instruments (usually a full orchestra).
Here we take a look at the greatest & the most popular piano concerti of all time, based on factors such as musical artistry, technical artistry, pianistic power, balance between piano and orchestra, and historical influence.
Mozart Piano Concertos
Piano concertos are the invention of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; before he emerged, there were just a few concertos written for fortepiano or harpsichord. It’s also observed that the concertos of that time didn’t possess the same high artistic qualities of the Mozart piano concertos.
In his lifespan, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrote 27 concertos for piano and orchestra.
Mozart’s last 10 piano concertos are considered masterpieces, considered among the greatest human achievements. However, its the media that tells us that his last 10 concertos are the best. You may just pick any Mozart piano concerto, even the ones that he composed as a boy, and you will hear the stamp of the master on it.
Beethoven Piano Concertos
Towards the end of the 19th century, the concerto genre had reached a flourishing stage after Mozart had thoroughly contributed to the foundation of the genre.
In his first concerts, as well as in the other genres (symphonies, sonatas, quartets) Mozart’ and Haydn’s influence is evident. The characteristics of Beethoven’s sensibility were to become evident starting with his third piano concerto.
In the following concerts, a new relation is established between the piano as unaccompanied instrument and the orchestra that covers a greater role, not being reduced to the simple function of accompanying the soloist.
- Piano Concerto no. 1 in C major op. 15
- Piano Concerto no. 2 in B flat major op. 19
- Piano Concerto no. 3 in C minor op. 37
- Piano Concerto no. 4 in G major op. 58
- Piano Concerto no. 5 “Emperor” in E flat major op. 73
- Fantasy for piano, chorus and orchestra in C minor op. 80
- Violin Concerto in D major op. 61
- Chamomile for violin and orchestra in G major op. 40
- Chamomile for violin and orchestra in F major op. 50
- Triple Concerto for piano, violin and cello in C major op. 56
Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto
Russian-born classical composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s work included symphonies, concertos, operas, ballets, and chamber music.
Tchaikovsky composed three Piano concertos, of which, Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto no. 1 is world-famous (especially its rich chordal opening). Tchaikovsky’s piano concertos are known for explosive orchestration, and there’s also a hint of Russian folk tunes in the compositions.
Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto 1
Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto 1 has a very catchy opening melody. Its said that the melody of the composition was inspired by a folk melody, which a beggar was singing on the streets in Ukraine, and Tchaikovsky heard it.
Once the composition was completed, Tchaikvosky was looking for a top-caliber pianist who could promote his composition. Tchaikvosky performed the piece for Nikolai Rubinstein, a famous Russian pianist of the day. However, he was highly critical of the classical composition and asked Tchaikovsky to rewrite large parts of the concerto, but the composer refused. Tchaikovsky then asked German pianist Hans Von Bulow to perform the premiere, and the concerto was a massive success (in Boston). Sine then, Tchaikovsky’s first Piano Concerto has turned out to be his best known works.
Rachmaninov Piano Concerto
Best Piano Sonatas
Here are some famous sonatas for the piano, composed by some of the greatest composers of all time.
- Mozart Piano Sonata No 11: Amazon | Sheetmusicplus
- Beethoven Piano Sonata No 14, ‘Moonlight’: Amazon | Sheetmusicplus
- Haydn Piano Sonata No 62: Amazon
- Schubert Piano Sonata No 21: Amazon | Sheetmusicplus
- Chopin Piano Sonata No 2: Amazon | Sheetmusicplus
- Liszt Piano Sonata in B Minor: Amazon | Sheetmusicplus
- Scriabin Piano Sonata No 2, ‘Sonata-fantasy’: Amazon | Sheetmusicplus
- Rachmaninov Piano Sonata No 2: Amazon
- Ives Piano Sonata No 2, ‘Concord’: Amazon | Sheetmusicplus
- Prokofiev Piano Sonata No 7: Amazon
Mozart: Sonatas For Piano & Violin
This 4 CD box set showcases the brilliance of Mozart’s music. It includes 16 Sonatas for Violin and Piano rendered by Renaud Capucon and Kit Armstrong. Mozart’s firm grip over both the instruments is evident from these compositions. If you’re a fan of Mozart, this will be a great addition to your Mozart collection.
The Complete Duo Recordings
The best of Beethoven’s violin/piano sonatas, the box set is a great deal (almost the same price as buying them separately).
Artistes: Argerich = grand concept of the piece, dazzling technique. Maisky = Exquisite, sensitive and excellent interpretation. Kremer = Technique, nice interpretation, insight into the most common phrases.
Early Keyboard Sonata in Italy and Beyond (Studies on Italian Music History)
The Early Keyboard Sonata in Italy and Beyond (by Rohan H Stewart-MacDonald) focuses on the birth of the keyboard sonata in Italy. Spanning the mid-seventeenth and late eighteenth centuries the book proceeds outwards from the contributions of Italians Lodovico Giustini (Pistoia), Francesco Geminiani (Lucca, Naples, London), Baldassare Galuppi (Venice), Giovanni Battista Sammartini (Milan) and Domenico Scarlatti, with new insights on the sonata outputs of Germans George Frideric Handel, Johann Ulrich Haffner and Johann Christian Bach.
One of the book’s overriding aims is to support and build on recent attempts to counteract the traditional view of an eighteenth century subdivided between ‘Baroque’ and ‘Classical’ eras.
Best Mozart Resources: Books, Music & More
Mozart wrote his first symphony when he was just eight years old and was one of the most prolific composers of the Classical era.
Mozart: A Cultural Biography (by Robert W. Gutman)
Very thorough book with over 700 pages, meticulously researched and gracefully written! The author discusses the major genres in which Mozart worked – chamber music; liturgical, theatre, and keyboard compositions; concerto; symphony; opera; and oratorio. The composer is shown as an affectionate and generous man to family and friends, self-deprecating, witty, and purposeful. It may be better to ready another shorter biography of Mozart before you read this book, unless Music is your field of study.
Mozart: A Life Paperback (by Paul Johnson)
Historian Paul Johnson draws upon his expert knowledge of the era and Mozart’s own private letters to reveal Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s life and times in rich detail. Johnson takes us through Mozart’s life. Along the way, Johnson talks about his allegedly tempestuous personal relationships and supposedly bitter rivalry with Salieri, as well as the notion that he was desperately impoverished when he died.
Mozart: His Character, His Work (by Alfred Einstein)
Written by the late Alfred Einstein, a leading music historians and critic, this book brings to light many new facts of Mozarts’ relationship with his family, his susceptibility to ambitious women, and his associations with musical contemporaries, as well as offering an indepth analysis of his operas, piano music, chamber music, and symphonies.
Mozart: A Musical Biography (by German scholar Konrad Küster)
The book attempts to portray Mozart’s creative life as a composer. Most of the book is concerned with Mozart’s life and compositions from his arrival in Vienna in 1781 to his death there some ten years later. Küster selects works covering virtually every important stage in Mozart’s career, from his first keyboard works to his final days and the composition of the Requiem. Each chapter deals with the developments and events in the lives of the Mozarts as associated with or highlighted by a particular work or constellation of works.
Mozart’s Letters, Mozart’s Life (by Robert Spaethling)
In this book, readers will get to know a man who wanted to be loved and lead a full life, only to die at the young age of 35! It’s fascinating to trace Mozart’s maturity, his move away from his father, his flirtatiousness writing with his wife. The preening and posturing show the genius’s very human side! The original letters are written mostly in German, although Mozart also knew and used Italian, French, and English, among others; Robert Spaethling brings them to life for English language readers.
Mozart: The Man Revealed
The book looks sleek from outside as well as the inside, uses shiny paper with several beautiful illustrations that provide so much information about the composer. The book even includes a painting believed to be of Mozart that was discovered in 2008. In general, the book has lots of great illustrations and photos. The author Suchet has a profound grasp of his subject and his writing is so personable that you won’t feel as if you are reading the “composer’s biography.” Highly recommended!
Mozart: A Life (by Solomon Maynard)
Solomon’s books are worth a read because of his research and analysis of the music. This biography presents the human side of Mozart where he has to deal with issues that we all must deal with in life. Solomon talks about Mozart growing up under the shadow of an impossibly demanding father, who was at once overprotective and jealous of his son’s vast gifts; Solomon paints an sad portrait of Mozart’s last years, begging for money, guilty about his deprived wife Constanze, resentful of being cut out of his father’s will, yet still heroically reaches new musical heights. This is a well-written biography on Mozart, the book is organized thematically instead of maintaining strict chronology.
Best Beethoven Resources: Books, Music & More
Beethoven was one of the most influential composers in the transitional period, between the Classical and the Romantic eras. The Legendary composer and pianist’s music has been used as soundtracks for hundreds of movies. Here’s more about the famous composer.
Find a collection of the most popular books on Beethoven covering every aspect of his life and works.These are essential research for serious musicians and composers who wish to gain insight into late Beethoven.
Beethoven: Anguish and Triumph (by Jan Swafford)
Revered music historian Jan Swafford is known for his ability to bring his subjects vibrantly to life. This biography peels away layers of the music legend to get to the living, breathing human being who composed some of the world’s most iconic music. Swafford begins with Bonn, where Beethoven grew up, then tracks his move to Vienna, capital of European music, where Beethoven built his career in the face of critical incomprehension, crippling ill health, romantic rejection, and his deafness. Throughout, Swafford offers insightful readings of Beethoven’s key works.Beethoven: The Man Revealed (by John Suchet)
In this book, Beethoven scholar and classical radio host John Suchet sheds light on the composer’s difficult childhood, his struggle to maintain friendships and romances, his ungovernable temper, his obsessive efforts to control his nephew’s life, and the excruciating decline of his hearing. The book takes the reader on a journey from the composer’s birth in Bonn to his death in Vienna. Suchet even draws on the latest research, using rare source material to paint a complete and vivid portrait of the legendary prodigy.Beethoven: The Music and the Life (by Lewis Lockwood)
Lewis Lockwood has written a biography of Beethoven in which Beethoven’s methods of working, his interest in contemporary and past composers, the development of his musical intentions and ideals, his inner musical life, in short―have been properly integrated with the external events of his career. A deeply perceptive book that comes as close as can be, to presenting the man and the music as a unity. This book should appeal to specialists and generalists in equal measure. This is a good book for readers who are new to Beethoven’s music, and who are looking to increase their understanding of Beethoven and his major works.Beethoven (by Maynard Solomon)
Solomon’s interpretations will help non-academics and non-musicologists to better understand Beethoven’s work, takes into account the latest information and literature. This book is more of an interpretation of Beethoven’s life and music rather than a biography; notable as well as controversial for its psychoanalytical approach. Includes a 30-page bibliographical essay, numerous illustrations, and a full-color pictorial biography of the composer. Maynard Solomon is a leading authority on Beethoven.Beethoven: The Universal Composer (Eminent Lives) (by Edmund Morris)
This is one of the better written short biographies; gives a reasonably comprehensive picture of Beethoven’s life. The author clearly admires his subject not only for the work but also for his constant fight against the odds – his psychosis, alcoholism, chronic rages, famous deafness and increasing illness actually seemed to spur his genius: the greatest works are the later ones. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edmund Morris is one of America’s most distinguished biographers, and has written an ideal biography for the general reader.
Thayer’s Life of Beethoven, Part I and Volume II: – by Elliot Forbes (Editor)
A must for any Beethoven admirer! Right from Beethoven’s family to the composer’s demise, everything is covered in Thayer’s biography. Recommended, along with Vol. 2! These are more of facts-based books without emphasis on interpretations.
Late Beethoven: Music, Thought, Imagination: by Maynard Solomon
Another outstanding book from Maynard Solomon, it focuses on the music of Beethoven’s third period. It takes the readers through the intellectual and emotional changes in Beethoven’s outlook that likely contributed to Beethoven’s late masterworks.
Types of Orchestras: Opera, Classical, Modern Jazz, Movie Themes
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble. It represents a group of musicians who use various music instruments to play music in common. As opposed to the chamber ensemble, in orchestra some of its musicians form groups that play in unison. An orchestra includes sections of brass, string, woodwind as well as percussion instruments.
There are three kinds of orchestra:
Symphony Orchestra (or philharmonic orchestra) consists of around 50 to 100 musicians (a full orchestra has around 80 players). Symphonies play different types of music — classical, film scores, jazz, etc. There’s a conductor who leads the musicians.
Chamber Orchestra: Smaller than a Symphony, a chamber orchestra has under 50 musicians, who perform in chamber room of a private home or public hall. Because there are fewer musicians, every musical part is played by only one musician, except the string instruments, which are generally the same in chamber and symphony orchestras. A conductor leads the musicians.
String Orchestra
String orchestra is the smallest of all the orchestras. It comprises of only string instruments such as the violin, viola and cello. The size of a string orchestra varies from eight (most common) and can go up to 12 to 18, with the addition of more violins.
A string orchestra usually plays musical compositions written exclusively for string instruments (mostly in the classical or baroque styles). Because of its smaller size, a string orchestra does not require a conductor.
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