Explainer: The value and beauty of

classical music
By Stuart Greenbaum, The Conversation, adapted by Newsela staff on 05.31.17
Word Count 850
Level 1060L

An orchestra performs classical music. Photo from Wikimedia

Classical music is more than one thing. To start with, it is important to distinguish between big
“C” and little “c” — that is, between "Classical music" and "classical music." The first refers to
music from a specific time period, while the second refers to a genre of music.

The “Classical” period in music is generally described as stretching from Joseph Haydn
(1732–1809) through to Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827). Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
(1756–1791) fits squarely in the middle. The music of these composers is characterized by

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elegant melodies and an orderly, balanced structure. It is both "Classical" and "classical,"
meaning that it is most certainly a primary example of the genre of classical music.

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Late in his life, Beethoven began writing music that moved away from the Classical style.
Works like the Ninth Symphony and the late string quartets mark the beginning of the
“Romantic” period (roughly 1825–1910). Of course, Beethoven didn't develop this new style of
classical music alone, and it's difficult to pin down exactly when it began, and just when it
ended.

What's more, there was no clean break between the Classical and Romantic periods. Many
composers kept on composing Classical music, or went back and forth between the two styles
or blended them together.

Rarely Played "By Ear"

Whether Classical or Romantic, classical music tends to use pretty much the same kinds of
instruments. Among the most common of these are the piano, the violin, the flute and the
trumpet. Classical music is rarely played "by ear" the way many other kinds of music are.
Instead, the music is written down and the musicians who perform it have the written score in
front of them as they play.

If musicians are playing more ancient kinds of instruments, such as a the sackbutt or the viola
da gamba, the music is likely to be what we call “early music.” This is still a form of classical
music. However, it predates Classical music.

If musicians are playing electric guitars and drum kits, the music would likely be outside the
orbit of classical music. Most likely, it would be some form of rock. Of course, some rock
performers, such as Icelandic singer-songwriter Björk, or English singer-songwriters Peter
Gabriel and Elvis Costello, have worked with classical musicians. For example, all have
performed together with an orchestral string section. Even in these cases, however, the music
is much closer to rock than it is classical.

Intent Of The Composer Is What Matters

At its best, I think classical music represents a deep and highly developed musical listening
experience. In theory, classical music can make use of any kind of instrument, even non-
Western ones such as the Indian sitar. I think it is more about the intent of the composer and
musicians than the color and shape of the sound-producing objects.

Perhaps this is the point in the article where I need to state that I am a classical music
composer. Let me try to say something about what classical music means to me personally,
and what I think makes it valuable.

Let's take the case of classical composer Gustav Mahler (1860-1911). At times I find his
symphonies endless and overblown, and I wish I could tell him to please just get on with it.
However, there's no denying that Mahler was very ambitious in his attempt to create grand
musical structures. His pieces develop over a long period of time — many last more than an
hour. I love the “intent,” the idea of this, and certain sections of his works are simply
magnificent.

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Compare this to such television programs as "American Idol." On such shows, well-known
three- to four-minute songs are halved in order not to tax those viewers with short attention
spans. Very little is expected of the listener, and very little is delivered.

However, my point here is not to argue that pop music is inferior to classical music. The issue
for me is our concentration span and the depth of our listening experience.

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Classical Music Can Be A Wonderful Experience

Over the years, the classical music world has often been attacked for being elitist. Classical
music fans are thought to be snobs who think classical music is better than any other kind of
music. Supposedly, classical music favors technical skill and complexity over passion and
fun.

I would argue that we should be seeking out and rewarding excellence in whatever form it may
come. Classical music is not automatically “better” than pop music. It can be poorly written,
badly played or overblown and empty.

But even in the 21st century, classical music has a few things going for it. For one thing, it
assumes we are able to listen carefully for long, uninterrupted periods of time. If the music is
any good, and the performers are skillful, then we, the listener, might experience something
wonderful beyond our imagination.

Stuart Greenbaum teaches music composition at the University of Melbourne in Australia.

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Quiz

1 According to the article, one way classical music is distinct from other types of music is the way
that it is played by musicians.

Which paragraph from the section "Rarely Played By Ear" BEST supports the idea outlined
above?

2 How does the author develop his personal perspective in the article?

(A) by providing a comparison between Classical and Romantic periods and

composers

(B) by sharing his admiration for Mahler and belief in the importance of a deep
listening experience

(C) by describing the way that musicians who perform classical music use a written
score

(D) by offering a list of rock performers who have also composed classical music

3 Read the sentences from the article.

1. If musicians are playing more ancient kinds of instruments, such

as the sackbutt or the viola da gamba, the music is likely to be
what we call “early music.
2. However, my point here is not to argue that pop music is inferior
to classical music.
3. Supposedly, classical music favors technical skill and complexity
over passion and fun.
4. If the music is any good, and the performers are skillful, then we,
the listener, might experience something wonderful beyond our
imagination.

Which two, taken together, provide the BEST support for the idea that classical music is often
misunderstood?

(A) 1 and 2

(B) 2 and 3

(C) 3 and 4

(D) 4 and 1

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4 How does the author illustrate the value and beauty of classical music?

(A) by outlining the problems created by pop music and showing how classical
composers solved them

(B) by comparing and contrasting the traits of the Classical and Romantic
composers and their instruments

(C) by describing the reactions of audiences to classical music when it is being

performed professionally

(D) by explaining what characterizes classical music and how listening to it is

different from pop and rock

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Answer Key

1 According to the article, one way classical music is distinct from other types of music is the way
that it is played by musicians.

Which paragraph from the section "Rarely Played By Ear" BEST supports the idea outlined
above?

Paragraph 4:
Whether Classical or Romantic, classical music tends to use pretty much the
same kinds of instruments. Among the most common of these are the piano,
the violin, the flute and the trumpet. Classical music is rarely played "by ear"
the way many other kinds of music are. Instead, the music is written down and
the musicians who perform it have the written score in front of them as they
play.

2 How does the author develop his personal perspective in the article?

(A) by providing a comparison between Classical and Romantic periods and

composers

(B) by sharing his admiration for Mahler and belief in the importance of a
deep listening experience

(C) by describing the way that musicians who perform classical music use a written
score

(D) by offering a list of rock performers who have also composed classical music

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 8

3 Read the sentences from the article.

1. If musicians are playing more ancient kinds of instruments, such

as the sackbutt or the viola da gamba, the music is likely to be
what we call “early music.
2. However, my point here is not to argue that pop music is inferior
to classical music.
3. Supposedly, classical music favors technical skill and complexity
over passion and fun.
4. If the music is any good, and the performers are skillful, then we,
the listener, might experience something wonderful beyond our
imagination.

Which two, taken together, provide the BEST support for the idea that classical music is often
misunderstood?

(A) 1 and 2

(B) 2 and 3

(C) 3 and 4

(D) 4 and 1

4 How does the author illustrate the value and beauty of classical music?

(A) by outlining the problems created by pop music and showing how classical
composers solved them

(B) by comparing and contrasting the traits of the Classical and Romantic
composers and their instruments

(C) by describing the reactions of audiences to classical music when it is being

performed professionally

(D) by explaining what characterizes classical music and how listening to

it is different from pop and rock

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 9