The term "concert music" refers to music intended for live performance in a concert setting. The spelling of this compound word is straightforward: "concert" is pronounced /ˈkɒnsət/ and "music" is pronounced /ˈmjuːzɪk/. Together, they form "concert music", which is pronounced /ˈkɒnsət ˈmjuːzɪk/. It is important to note that the stress falls on the first syllable of both words, and the "c" in "concert" is pronounced as a hard /k/ sound. This spelling is used in English-speaking countries around the world to refer to this type of classical music.
Concert music refers to a type of music specifically composed for performance in a concert setting. It encompasses a wide variety of genres, styles, and forms that are intended to be listened to rather than danced or sung along to. Concert music is predominantly written for instruments such as the piano, violin, cello, flute, and orchestra, but it can also include vocal compositions.
The distinguishing feature of concert music is its intent to be performed in a formal concert context rather than in less formal settings like parties or clubs. It can include solo performances, chamber music ensembles, or large-scale symphonic works. Concert music often requires a high level of technical skill and musical expertise from the performers, as it is written with sophisticated musical arrangements and compositions.
Its historical development extends back centuries, from the Baroque era to present-day classical and contemporary music. Concert music can encompass various styles, including classical, romantic, modernist, minimalist, and experimental. Composers like Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, and Bernstein have all contributed to the vast body of concert music.
The audience experience of concert music is typically focused on active listening and appreciation for the artistry of the composer and performers. Concert spaces, such as concert halls or opera houses, provide acoustically optimized environments for the audience to fully engage with the intricacies and nuances of the music being performed.
The word "concert" originated from the Italian word "concerto", which means a musical performance or a public assembly. It is ultimately derived from the Latin word "concertare", which means to contend or to debate. In the context of music, "concerto" initially referred to a composition that featured a solo instrument accompanied by an orchestra. Over time, the word "concert" became associated with performances of music by an ensemble, typically in a formal setting.
The word "music" has its roots in the Greek word "mousikē", which encompassed all the arts and sciences related to music, including vocal and instrumental composition, theory, and performance. "Mousikē" is derived from the nine Muses of Greek mythology, who were considered the guardians and inspirers of the arts and knowledge.