Classical music refers to the tradition of Western art music that developed from the medieval period through the present, with a special flowering between roughly 1750 and 1820. It emphasizes written notation, complex forms, and a balance of melody, harmony, and structure.

The repertoire includes symphonies, concertos, operas, chamber works, and solo pieces. Composers such as Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, and later figures built a continuous literature that performers still interpret today. Performance practice, historical instruments, and scholarly editions continually refresh the tradition.

Classical music demands long-term technical and interpretive training. Audiences value its emotional range, formal clarity, and the opportunity for deep listening. While sometimes contrasted with popular genres, it continues to absorb influences and to commission new works that expand its boundaries.

Concert halls, conservatories, and recordings keep the tradition alive and evolving.