A Brief Overview of Classical Music
Though classical music appeals to many people, the diversity, complexity and even the mystique of "Classical Music" can be rather intimidating. The classical music genre is rich enough to provide a lifetime of wonder and surprises, and a nearly limitless potential for discovery makes the journey well worth the effort.
The world of classical music spans nearly 10 centuries, and encompasses a multitude of styles, forms, and purposes. The terms used for the various historic periods are borrowed from art history, and often follow similar developmental trends in painting, sculpture, literature, and architecture. Although these groupings are at best arbitrary, it may help to associate composers with the predominant styles flourishing during these periods, and therefore make it easier to find music that you will like.
Medieval (before 1450)
Renaissance (1450-1600)
Baroque (1600-1750)
Classicism (1750-1820)
Romanticism (1810-1910)
20th century (1900-present)
Modern (1945-present)
(Note that dates are approximate, and to be used as guidelines only.)
If classical music is your kind of music then you can find a range of cds from sites such as Classical Cds.co.uk, Classicalpulse.com and Classical-cds-for-sale.co.uk. If you can't find what you're looking for online there are always popular shops on the highstreet, such as HMV, which sell all types of music genres and a wide range. There are also classical cds that you can play along to on your musical instrument, for beginners and those who have played for many years but would like to learn more proffessional and complicated songs.