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.

This is truly amazing. The ezines do not have articles about classical music.
All music started out with classical composers. In today’s world, most of the very old classical music is still being used for public pleasure.

One of the ways this music is relayed to us is by orchestra. The symphonies are played by many instruments and the music was written by the early composers. Some of these composers names’ were Beethoven, Bach, Schubert, Mendelsohn, Mozart, Handel, Brahms, Haydn, Dvorak, Grieg and Tchaikovsky. A symphony has many parts or sections (movements). Sometimes the music delivered to listeners is only part of the symphony.

Many of the above composers wrote music to be performed by single instruments as well as symphony orchestras. If you have had any piano lessons, you would understand the emotion that the composers put into their music. This may be true for other instruments as well. The emotion is what makes the music so beautiful and much of it is quite difficult without being rewritten for simpler applications (early music lessons).

Each piece tells a story about the composer. Some of the composers were very poor financially and not recognized for the talent they possessed and some, actually, had great disabilities. One example of this was Beethoven. He lost his sight but still continued to compose great music!

Classical music has been and is used for movies, pure listening, TV presentations and commercials and even cartoons. You probably have heard much of this music and just weren’t aware of the title and the composer.

The composers above composed operas, waltzes, marches, chamber music(easy listening), religious and dance music. One more modern composer, Aaron Copeland, composed music with a western flavor.

If you study this music, you will learn to recognize the various composers because most of them have a style all their own. One that comes to mind is Mozart. His extreme use of the violin is recognizeable in any of his compositions.

The tools our early composers used were medieval in today’s terms. My opinion is that they were quite reclusive as they composed. Most of them had a piano but not much more and had to hear the music and the way the instuments came together within their heads. Not an easy task. There are very few composers today who can do this. They also used dip pens to scribble out their music.

Most of the early composers would be very famous and earn large incomes today. Modern writers have even written various versions of some very old compositions. One that comes to mind is Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata which was rewritten as a rock tune. One of the current problems of today’s composers is the ability to compose and not have to have some kind of work which pays a living. Of course, there are other obstacles. Recognition and obtaining the support of their music by outside sources to be presented to the public are just some.

The knowledge of the histories of the early composers and music creates more interest in their music. Their music can relieve stress, anger and create happiness. Be pleasured when you are on your computer and try listening to some classical music.