# Classical — Genre

> Western art music tradition. 17th-21st century. Notated, complex, orchestral.

## Defining elements

- Notated composition (not improvised typically)
- Complex harmony and counterpoint
- Wide dynamic range
- Multiple movements often
- Specific historical eras
- Acoustic instruments

## Eras

- **Baroque** — 1600-1750 (Bach, Handel, Vivaldi)
- **Classical** — 1750-1820 (Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven early)
- **Romantic** — 1820-1900 (Beethoven late, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Wagner)
- **20th century** — varied (Debussy, Stravinsky, Schoenberg)
- **Contemporary** — modern (Glass, Pärt, Adams, modern composers)

## Sub-types

- **Symphony** — large orchestra
- **Concerto** — solo instrument + orchestra
- **Chamber music** — small ensemble (string quartet, etc.)
- **Solo piano** — single piano works
- **Vocal classical** — opera, art song (lieder)
- **Choral** — choir-based (see choral.md)
- **Sacred** — religious (Bach Mass, Mozart Requiem)
- **Minimalist** — repetitive (Glass, Reich)

## Typical instrumentation

Strings (violin, viola, cello, double bass) + woodwinds + brass + percussion + piano + voice (if vocal)

## Production characteristics

- Recorded in concert hall (acoustic)
- Wide dynamic range
- Minimal processing
- Natural reverb

## Lyrics direction (when vocal)

- Opera librettos (Italian, German typically)
- Art song poetry
- Sacred texts (Latin in Catholic, German in Lutheran)
- Often classical poetry (Goethe, Shakespeare)

## For Suno

```
[Style: classical romantic era piano + strings, 80 BPM, A minor, 
solo piano + string quartet, dynamic range from pianissimo to fortissimo, 
no drums, no electronic, concert hall acoustic, romantic emotional sweep]
```

## Examples

- Bach (Baroque), Mozart (Classical), Beethoven (transitional)
- Romantic: Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Chopin
- 20th century: Debussy, Stravinsky, Bartók
- Modern: Glass, Pärt, John Adams

## Avoid

- Drum machine
- Electric instruments
- Auto-tune
- Pop song structure
- Compressed production