Over and over again, I have heard someone say, “I don’t like classical music!”  But did you know that all music evolved from classical music? Some of the early music can hardly be recognized as a sound, let alone music!

Most of the early music resembled what we now term “chant”.  The chant is still used in protests, religious services, sports games and other ways.  The early musicians used composition of new music to practice and contribute to their religion. Music evolved through the periods of medieval, renaissance and baroque styles. Some of these styles were not very melodic.  When the classical period was borne, music was exceptionally creative and drew listener interest and respect.

From this beginning, all of the greatest composers evolved.  Many of the great composers were very involved in their personal religious efforts and wrote their music for that purpose.  George Frideric Handel is a prime example of religious purpose when he composed “The Messiah”.  Many of the independent pieces of “The Messiah” are performed and listened to almost daily . . it’s just the unknowing listener who does not connect the music with the name of the composer and the composer’s works. Another example of religious purpose is “Silent Night” a very well known Christmas anthem composed by Franz Gruber.  “Largo”, listened to fairly frequently, is another example of an individual piece extracted from a much larger composition.  It is actually from an Italian opera, composed by George Frideric Handel.

Johann Sebastian Bach, a descendent of a long line of musical “Bachs”, was a church organist at 18 years of age. As history progressed, he was known as the greatest organist in Germany and very much in demand.  Many of our current day organ preludes (music played before religious services begin) were the compositions of Johann Sebastian Bach. Much of his music concentrated on the organ but other music has been written for the orchestra, piano and voice. One of of his works of modern favoritism is (Aire on a G-String). While this piece was written for the violin, there are also variations written for the piano, full orchestra and guitar.

Among the composers and their serious or light hearted dance music, there was one well known comic, Joseph Haydn.  “The Surprise Symphony” in G Major pulls off the surprise using dynamics (extreme tones varying from very soft to very loud) and, if the listener is not aware of what is to come and if the music is played correctly, could lift you off your chair! Hence, “The Surprise!”

Much of today’s music is written in variation.  It can be played on many instruments or on one and, perhaps, not the instruments it was orginally designed to be played on.
Variations create more interest to the listener, particularly, when the listener can identify with the instrument carrying the major part of the composition.

The summation of all this is never say, “I don’t like classical music!” because, more usually than not, you have probably listened to some of it every day of your life without being aware you were listening to classical music!  Understanding the history of the composers, who pleasure us with their compositions, will bring a new respect for their music.