What is it?

What is Classical music? How can we define it?

Yes, there are dictionary definitions and there are many characteristics you can point out to define it.

However, many classical works do not fit inside those parameters.

Also, how can a Cantata composed by Bach, a Sonata by Boulez, or a piece by Ludovico Einaudi all be put into the same category of Classical music?

A musical genre, be it jazz, classical, pop, rock, etc, is defined by its restrictions just as much as by its characteristics.

An interesting concept, restrictions…

You can´t imagine a classically sounding piece with a rock drum beat being defined as classical music. It goes beyond the genre´s restrictions.

But where do those restrictions begin or end?

This reminds me of the inner battle my brain has every time it tries to imagine the biggest or smallest thing that could possibly exist. You can always either magnify or shrink it more and you will infinitely keep up coming with the concept of a larger or smaller object…

Sometimes I battle with the definition of genres in music. What I look for in music goes beyond that. It changes depending on the moment or the mood. Sometimes it’s complexity, sometimes it´s simplicity. Sometimes it´s happiness, sometimes it´s sadness.

But one thing is always necessary for me to enjoy it: Truth.

Truthfulness of emotion. A commitment to make the inner truth of the music shine, whatever that is.

Bach composed with truth. Jobim also. Burt Bacharach also.

Rubinstein and Oistrakh performed with truth. So did Bill Evans or Ryuichi Sakamoto.

What is the truth behind the music? Maybe I´ll talk about what that is for me in another email.

For now, I leave you with this beautiful playlist of mine called Intimate Piano. You can listen to it here.

Have a great day.

Claudio.