One of the hardest questions I have ever heard about classical music is, What is it? Apart from the fact that it is played by symphonic orchestras and considered good taste, (and a lot of things called classical don't even meet those requirements) what is the common denominator of classical music? Of course, I don't mean music of the classical period, as opposed to baroque, romantic, Impressionist, dadaist, or whatever, just what we usually call clasical. What is YOUR definition of clasical music?

Oh, come on you guys... is this question just so stupid it doesn't deserve an answer, or what?

well, what can you call classical these days? not much, but you can refer to groups in metal, electronic, and other various genres of music as somewhat classical or neo-classical. There are plenty classical artists out there today, yet they do not see ANY exposure because of the times. What makes it classical for me? Classical was distinctive in the centuries before us, yet now, it seems a bit hard to classify with new age, electronic and easy listening styles of music that use more synths than actual instruments, so really, I don't know what makes anything classical anymore...You could say something made by elaborate composition for piano, oboe, bassoon, flute, etc., but there are many other styles that can go in that category.

The music you read about in this forum here......

Yeah, I think it's very hard too. For example, when did it start? I had a discussion a while ago about this. There was the Gregorian Cantus, then in the Renaissance they started to compose polyfonic music. I hear this often called "early music" but does that mean it isn't "classical"? And where lies the distinction between folk songs and classical music? Many 19th century composers used folk melodies in their pieces. In the 20th century things became even more confusing, when sometimes you're not even sure it's still "music" at all.

My definition? Who am I to tell, but I would say classical music started with the 'invention' of polyphony in the Renaissance and is, of course, still going although I hardly know any contemporary classical music (yes I know there's a thread about it here). When is something not 'classical' anymore? Gosh, I really don't know. Maybe it's just a feeling......

Yeah, some stuff really doesn´t deserve to be called music at all, according to most definitions of music.

I know the 2 CDs I bought are classical for a fact because they're called:
The most relaxing classical album ever, and
The #1 Classical Album

I always thought that Classical music was just a group of woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments that had a piano and no singing. I suppose not all classical music is like that though.

I define it by the 'Classical' era.
Yep, it exists....it is basically the period of time between baroque (ending at Bach's death 1750 I THINK...?) and the Rennaissance periods...

HOWEVER!

The coined term, classical, is widely accepted for many of the styles that include the old instruments...a genre is what you make of it really.....I dont tend to worry about them too much.

classical music is any genre of composition that can stand the test of time.

Not a bad definition. But what do you call contemporary compositions, meaning pieces written in, say, the 18th century which are (almost) never heard anymore?

well if you remember, a lot of brilliant pieces in the classical era were not discovered until many years later. perhaps years from now many will be talking about Miles Davis like we speak of Bach. to be considered classical, the composition must have stood the test of time, and there just hasn't been enough time yet to pass that test.