Music & Art

Art music (or serious music or sometimes erudite music) is an umbrella term generally used to refer to musical traditions implying advanced structural and theoretical considerations. more...

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It is used especially as a contrasting term to popular music and traditional music. While basically referring primarily to Western historical classical music, the term may refer to:

Classical music, whether European classical music or other cultures appearing in the List of classical music styles.; Contemporary classical music, including electronic art music, experimental (art) music and minimalist music, as well as other forms.; Some forms of jazz, excluding most forms generally considered to be popular music.;

In some cases, the distinction between popular and art music has been blurred, particularly in the late 20th century. As a matter of fact, minimalist music and postmodern music in particular got closer to popular music and rejected older cleavages. Reversely, some popular experimental musicians also developed a special interest in the minimalist and postmodern approach and so they have converged with art music with regard to certain aspects of their music. Therefore some may consider certain forms of popular-based music such as art rock art music. However, in the strict, original sense these forms of music cannot really be regarded as pure erudite music because they do not match most of the criteria. Besides, it must be noted that many fans of experimental popular music (such as art rock and avant-garde metal) tend to mistake the sense of the word art music. They tend to use it in another sense. In their conception the art music concept is used to refer to authentic and creative music as opposed to commercial music. Hence, use of the term “art music” sometimes leads to misunderstandings.

Characteristics

The term primarily refers to classical traditions (including contemporary as well as historical classical music forms) which focus on formal styles, invite technical and detailed deconstruction and criticism, and demand focused attention from the listener. In strict western practice, art music is considered primarily a written musical tradition, preserved in some form of music notation, as opposed to being transmitted orally, by rote, or in recordings (like popular and traditional music). Historically, most western art music has been written down using the standard forms of music notation that evolved in Europe beginning prior to the Renaissance period and reaching its maturity in the Romantic period. The identity of a "work" or "piece" of art music is usually defined by the notated version, rather than a particular performance of it (as for example with classical music).

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