A Breif History

Classical Music is a popular genre of music which has a history stretching as far back as the Middle Ages. Since then it has gone through several different periods, each coming under the banner of 'Classical Music' but having its own unique style and flair.

•  Medieval (before 1450)
•  Renaissance (1450 - 1600)
•  Baroque (1600 - 1750)
•  Classical (1750 - 1820)
•  Romantic (1810 - 1910)
•  20th-Century (1900 - 2000)
•  Modern (1945 - present)

The term "classical music" did not appear until the early 19th century, in an attempt to officially declare the period from Johann Sebastian Bach to Beethoven as a golden age.
The earliest reference to "classical music" recorded by the Oxford English Dictionary is from about 1836.
Classical Music is very unique from modern-day music and also other periods of music. It has a distinct shape and texture being lighter than Baroque music (music from the Baroque period occurring just before the Classical Period) and being a lot more rhythmical than romantic music (music from the Romantic period occurring just after the Classical Period).
The variety of a piece became a lot wider during the Classical Period with many key changes, rhythmic changes and dynamic changes.
Classical Music shaped the music produced today and will forever be remembered and used.