Classical music The Russian National Orchestra performing in Tchaikovsky Concert Hall in Moscow in 2012. (more) Classical music Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Print Cite verifiedCite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Select Citation Style MLA APA Chicago Manual of Style Copy Citation Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/art/classical-music Feedback Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Also known as: Western Classical music, Western art music Written by Kara Rogers Kara Rogers is the senior editor of biomedical sciences at Encyclopædia Britannica, where she oversees a range of content from medicine and genetics to microorganisms. She joined Britannica in 2006 and... Kara Rogers Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Aug 19, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot Also called: Western Classical music or Western art music (Show more) Key People: Ludwig van Beethoven Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Joseph Haydn Christoph Willibald Gluck Gioachino Rossini (Show more) { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What is Classical music? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "In Western music, Classical music is a broad tradition that emphasizes formal composition, technical skill, and expressive depth and is rooted in the liturgical and secular traditions of Europe." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " How did Classical music evolve during the Baroque era? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "During the Baroque era Classical music became more elaborate and expressive, marked by the rise of opera, ornamentation, major and minor tonalities, and complex instrumental forms, particularly the concerto, sonata, and fugue." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What were key developments in 20th-century Classical music? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "In the 20th century Classical music departed from traditional tonality and form and instead embraced more modern styles, such as Modernism and Impressionism. Composers such as Igor Stravinsky, Claude Debussy, and Arnold Schoenberg redefined musical expression." } } ] } Top Questions What is Classical music? In Western music, Classical music is a broad tradition that emphasizes formal composition, technical skill, and expressive depth and is rooted in the liturgical and secular traditions of Europe.

　　How did Classical music evolve during the Baroque era? During the Baroque era Classical music became more elaborate and expressive, marked by the rise of opera, ornamentation, major and minor tonalities, and complex instrumental forms, particularly the concerto, sonata, and fugue.

　　What were key developments in 20th-century Classical music? In the 20th century Classical music departed from traditional tonality and form and instead embraced more modern styles, such as Modernism and Impressionism. Composers such as Igor Stravinsky, Claude Debussy, and Arnold Schoenberg redefined musical expression.

　　Classical music, a broad tradition of Western music that emphasizes formal composition, technical skill, and expressive depth. With its roots in the liturgical and secular traditions of Europe, it is one of the most influential and enduring forms of musical expression, having shaped not only the development of modern genres but also cultural and intellectual life across centuries. Classical music is sometimes also referred to as “Western art music,” so as to distinguish it from non-Western forms of music, which may also be described under the term classical music.

　　Ten Most Influential ComposersJohann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750): Master of counterpoint and harmony whose works are the foundation of Western music theoryWolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–91): Prodigy whose operas, symphonies, and concertos set a benchmark for musical perfectionLudwig van Beethoven (1770–1827): Revolutionary figure who expanded the symphony and bridged Classical and Romantic musicRichard Wagner (1813–83): Transformative opera composer, innovator of leitmotifs and large-scale music dramasFranz Schubert (1797–1828): Pioneer of lieder (art songs) and lyrical symphonies; influenced Romantic expressionFrédéric Chopin (1810–49): Redefined piano music with unmatched poetic and technical depthPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840–93): Renowned for his ballets, symphonies, and emotionally charged melodiesClaude Debussy (1862–1918): Founder of Impressionism; broke from traditional tonality and inspiring modern composersIgor Stravinsky (1882–1971): Shattered conventions of rhythm and harmony with works such as The Rite of SpringArnold Schoenberg (1874–1951): Creator of the 12-tone technique; reshaped 20th-century musicClassical music emerged in the Middle Ages and has evolved since, traversing distinct stylistic periods. Throughout the 10th to 13th century the musical form began to take shape through the development of staff notation, the rise of early polyphony (such as organum), and the systematic teaching of music theory, marking a shift from oral chant traditions to a written and more complex musical art form. During the Baroque era (1600–1750) Classical music became more elaborate and expressive, marked by the rise of opera, the use of ornamentation, the development of major and minor tonalities, and the creation of complex instrumental forms such as the concerto, sonata, and fugue. The Classical period (1750–1820) emphasized clarity and proportion, with the rise of the symphony and string quartet and elevation of the sonata; works of composers such as Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and early Ludwig van Beethoven began to shape the foundations of modern Western music. Classical music expanded in emotional expression and scale in the Romantic era (19th century), featuring larger orchestras and richer harmonies, with Beethoven and other composers, such as Frédéric Chopin and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, pushing music toward greater individuality and dramatic intensity.

　　In the 20th century Classical music departed from traditional tonality and form in pursuit of diverse styles, ranging from Modernism and Impressionism to Minimalism and Experimentalism. Composers such as Igor Stravinsky, Claude Debussy, and Arnold Schoenberg redefined the boundaries of musical expression. In the 21st century the art form has embraced globalization and technology, blending traditional forms with digital media, cross-genre experimentation, and diverse cultural influences, while reaching audiences through new platforms and innovative performance practices. For more information, see Western music.

　　Britannica Quiz Classical Composers Kara Rogers