Welcome to Adagio.al :)
This is my website about classical music; it aims to be a comprehensive guide for non-experts to learn about classical music and well as (and perhaps moreso) a way for me, a definite non-expert, to expand my knowledge of classical music. It will likely focus, at least initially, on Western music and composers as that is what's I'm most familiar with, but hopefully in time it will become more expansive.
What is classical music?
A lot of this website will likely revolve around defining terms, and it would therefore be senseless to begin defining anything before I've defined classical music. The most important aspect characterising classical music is a sense of formality. As well as formality, other important aspects include complexity and written notation, and classical music is understood as distinct from both folk music and popular music. The label 'classical music' is typically used to refer to Western music, but can be applied to music from other cultures as well. Classical music can be further organised and described using categories such as style, genre and form, which I will explain in the other pages of this website.
Why am I creating this website?
Having been brought up playing the cello and with classical music as a common companion in my household, classical music was an important part of my childhood which I have since rediscovered. No longer playing myself and with really poor knowledge of classical music, as part of my efforts to reconnect with classical after rediscovering my love for it earlier this year (due to remembering how absolutely banging the score of Phantom of the Opera is) I have decided to try and improve my knowledge as a way to gain more insight and thorough appreciation for this music.