Classical music is one of the most diverse and expressive musical genres that has produced numerous genres over the centuries. Whether you are a fan of organ music, chamber music, opera music or symphonic music — on STAGE+ you will find everything that makes a music lover's heart beat faster.
In this article, we will introduce you to the various genres of classical music:
Topic overview
Classical music encompasses an extensive range of musical styles and forms that have developed over the centuries. Different genres play a decisive role in the diversity and depth of this art form:
Orchestral music is one of the best-known genres of classical music and includes works composed for large orchestras. This includes works such as symphonies, overtures and symphonic poems. Great composers such as Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Brahms and Gustav Mahler have left their mark on this genre.
There are many special pieces in this genre, but do you know Mahler's enchanting Symphony No. 9?
Chamber music is music for smaller ensembles, typically with a reduced number of instruments. The best-known forms include the string quartet, the piano trio and the wind quintet. Chamber music is particularly intimate and allows the musicians to develop strong interplay.
On STAGE+ you will find high-quality performances of the most famous chamber music works, such as Mozart's Piano Trios played by André Previn and Brahms String Quintet No. 2 with Tatsuya Yabe on violin.
Vocal music is the genre in which singing plays a central role. It includes opera singing, song cycles and choral music. The works of Richard Wagner, Giuseppe Verdi and Franz Schubert are particularly well known. Search under the categories opera performances, arias, songs and choral music.
Here we recommend ‘Musical Moment’ by Anna Prohaska on vocals and Caspar Frantz on piano, who will guide you through breathtaking pieces of vocal classical music.
Instrumental music refers to works that are played exclusively by instruments. The most well-known forms include piano sonatas, violin sonatas and flute sonatas.
These pieces of music are characterised by their high level of virtuosity and expressiveness. On STAGE+ you can enjoy works by Beethoven, Mozart and Chopin, such as Beethoven's piano sonatas or Mozart's violin sonatas.
Opera music combines singing with dramatic action and instrumental music. It includes opera performances, arias, duets, and choruses. Composers such as Giuseppe Verdi, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Richard Strauss have characterised this genre with their masterpieces.
Experience complete opera performances as well as the most important arias and songs from operas, including Mozart's ‘Die Zauberflöte’ presented by the Berliner Philharmoniker and tenor Fritz Wunderlich. Or Verdi's ‘La Traviata’ with conductor Zubin Mehta and soprano singer Nadine Sierra.
There are many sub-genres in classical music, which include different musical expressions and styles. Here are some of the most important:
Organ music is a very specialised genre that focuses on works written for the organ. It includes various styles such as baroque organ music, romantic organ music and organ concertos.
Famous composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach and César Franck have left immortal masterpieces in this genre.
Symphonic music refers to large orchestral works of music that exhibit profound musical development and complex structures. This includes symphonies, symphonic poems and concertos. Works by composers such as Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Stravinsky are among the best known and most popular in this category.
Discover the variety of symphonic music on STAGE+ and enjoy the best performances from this genre, such as Tchaikovsky's ‘Pathetique’ conducted by Herbert von Karajan or Beethoven's ‘Symphony No. 9’ also performed by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and conducted by Claudio Abbado.
Concert music includes works in which an orchestral piece of music is combined with a solo instrument. The best-known works include the piano concerto, the violin concerto and the cello concerto. These concertos offer both the orchestra and the soloist the opportunity to show off their virtuoso skills.
Here you can experience the most beautiful concert music from classical music, such as Beethoven's piano concertos played by Jan Lisiecki or Antonio Vivaldi's ‘Four Seasons’ with Anne-Sophie Mutter on the violin.
Ballet music is a form of music composed specifically to support and enhance dance movements. This music is usually both rhythmically precise and expressive in order to emphasise the dynamics and emotions of the dancers. It includes a variety of music ranging from classical orchestral compositions to more modern styles.
Among the best-known examples are works such as ‘Swan Lake’ and ‘The Nutcracker’ by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky or ‘Le Sacre du Printemps’ by Igor Stravinsky, which are among the masterpieces of ballet music.
As the name suggests, choral music was written for choirs and includes many different forms of vocal ensembles. These include motets, cantatas, requiems, and masses. Particularly outstanding are works such as Mozart's Requiem and ‘The Creation’ by Joseph Haydn.
STAGE+ offers you a large collection of choral music for male voices, female voices and mixed choirs. Experience the overwhelming power of sacred choral music and the soothing beauty of songs from oratorios.
Over time, classical music has evolved and given rise to new modern genres that play a major role today:
Minimalist music is a genre based on reduced, repetitive patterns and simple musical structures. Composers such as Philip Glass with his Étude No.5 have significantly influenced this genre.
In recent decades, classical music has increasingly integrated elements of electronic music, which has led to new and innovative compositions. Composers such as Richard Barrett have introduced electronics into their works, opening up new worlds of sound.
Twelve-tone music and atonal music are experimental musical styles that abandon traditional tonal structures and explore new, non-harmonic sound worlds. Arnold Schönberg's ‘Pelléas and Mélisande, Op. 5’ was one of the most important representatives of this musical style.
Classical music is an incredibly versatile and profound genre that constantly offers new discoveries. Whether you enjoy the majesty of a symphony, the intimacy of chamber music or the drama of an opera, you'll find the perfect music for every taste on STAGE+.
