Introduction to Classical Music

In this introductory salon to this series all about classical music, host Linus Lu asks: what is classical music? What does it consist of, and what is it really about? How can one begin to approach this art form, which can be both so ubiquitous and obscure?

Classical music is most definitely Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven, but beyond that there are fuzzy edges. What are the essential ingredients of classical music, if there are any? What unifies all the composers and works that get defined as such, and what is classical music today? We’ll also explore the full ecosystem of classical music that makes the entire art possible, from the revered composers to the performers keeping the art alive everyday to the institutions that support it.

Open to all levels of prior experience and knowledge of classical music—especially for beginners and those wanting to start exploring the subject—this salon is meant to be a totally open forum for everyone to bring their unique perspectives to this beautiful but sometimes intimidating art form.    

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Reading guide:

• Leonard Bernstein, “What is Classical Music?“
• If you have a New Yorker subscription, music critic Alex Ross’s article “Listen to This“

Suggested Listening:

• This is what Youtube’s “Best of Classical Music” yields
• Beethoven Symphony No.9
• Excerpt from Thomas Ades’ Asyla
• Giuseppe Tartini, Devil’s Trill Sonata
• Schubert, “Der Leiermann“

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