The terms ‘Western art music’ and ‘classical music’ are often used interchangeably, but they describe different concepts within the realm of music.
Western art music is a broad category that encompasses a wide range of music styles created in Western culture throughout history. This includes not only classical music but also other genres such as romantic, modern, and contemporary art music. It is characterized by its complex structures, theoretical foundations, and the use of written notation.
Classical music, on the other hand, specifically refers to a period of Western art music that spans roughly from the late 18th century to the early 19th century, primarily focusing on composers like Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven. However, in common usage, classical music can also refer to older music from the Medieval and Renaissance periods or even music from the Baroque period. Essentially, it’s about the styles and forms that developed during these specific eras.
In summary, while all classical music is a subset of Western art music, not all Western art music qualifies as classical. The distinction lies in the historical context and the specific characteristics that define each category.