There are a number of genres of classical music that are played at UK concerts and also around the world. Prior to attending a concert, take time to reflect on the experience that you are about to enjoy. A concert is a one-off event; an evening’s performance will never be repeated again. The quality may improve or deteriorate on other occasions, but the performance for that one particular night will endure. It is therefore advisable to let oneself go with the flow of the music, let it transport you to another planet. Appreciate the efforts of the men and women who have dedicated their time and effort to trying to bring you the concert performance of your life.
As has been previously mentioned there are a number of subgenres that make up the body of classical music. Baroque era music was developed by people whose profession was to entertain through music. Baroque era artists wrote music solely for the purpose of entertainment. For this reason, baroque era music is uncomplicated and therefore one of the easiest to listen to. Instrumental music in the baroque style is composed of short movements that are adapted from dances and songs. The subgenre is rhythmic. This type of music is associated with the greats including Bach, Vivaldi and Handel
Music from the classical era tends to be a little more intricate. The prominent names in this subgenre include Mozart and Haydn who found ways of getting around the perceived complexity by making their compositions livelier. This was achieved through aspects of conversation, games and frenzied drama. The concertos and the symphonies were made more bouncy and brisk. Classical era music develops the emotional aspects of music much more than earlier periods. This is the subgenre that can transform music into the most sombre and saddest dirge or alternatively the jolliest and happiest melody.
As the genre progressed, classical era music gave way to the romantic period. Romantic period music was centred on the composer of the piece. In their compositions the composers shared their lives, their hopes, their ambitions and their sorrows with the audiences. The compositions were now much longer as they told the story of a life. Romantic period music is composed of tunes that the listener needs to follow as the story is told. To help their audiences follow these tunes, composers introduced woodwind instruments, percussion sections and full brass instruments. To make matters even more agreeable to audiences the composers went a step further and introduced storylines that the listeners could follow as the lengthy performances continued. The romantic period is associated with some of the great composers including Beethoven and Mahler.
The last category or subgenre you may be privileged to enjoy is modern classical music. This sort of music is comprised of compositions written after 1900. The period’s greatest proponents include Britten and Stravinsky who are credited with bringing or adding revitalising sounds to the three aforementioned subgenres. Other composers of the period include Zappa and Glass who added elements of pop and folklore to Western compositions. Schoenberg and Webern are among modern classical artists who have decided to question how people listen to classical music. Their reinventions of past music are also unique and worth listening to. |
