Western Classical Music

Western classical music is traditionally divided into Medieval (c. 500–1400), Renaissance (c. 1400–1600), Baroque (c. 1600–1750), Classical (c. 1750–1820), Romantic (c. 1820–1910), and Contemporary (c. 1910–present). Each era is characterized by distinct harmonic languages, instrumental capabilities, and structural conventions.

Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Ludwig van Beethoven are widely regarded as the foundational figures, often called the 'Three Bs.' Other pivotal composers include Haydn, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Debussy, Stravinsky, and Schoenberg, each of whom transformed the language of the music in significant ways.

A symphony is a multi-movement work for full orchestra, typically in four movements, exemplified by Beethoven's Symphony No. 9. A concerto features a solo instrument accompanied by orchestra, usually in three movements, such as Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21 or Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto.

Dedicated classical streaming platforms include Apple Music Classical, which launched in 2023, and Idagio, which focuses exclusively on classical repertoire. Major orchestras like the Berlin Philharmonic also offer their own streaming services, such as the Digital Concert Hall, for live and archived performances.