Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Classical music refers to music composed during the classical period (1750-1820) characterized by its complexity, structure, and adherence to specific forms and rules.
Related terms
Genre: A genre refers to a category or style of music. Classical music is just one genre among many others like pop, rock, jazz, etc.
Composer: A composer is someone who writes or creates musical compositions. Some famous composers from the classical period include Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach.
Sonata Form: Sonata form is a common structure used in many classical compositions where themes are introduced, developed, and then restated.