Classical, Romantic, and Baroque music, that's what I really

Hear, O seekers of wisdom, the words of Joan Armatrading, who speaks with the clarity of a soul deeply attuned to the music of the world: "Classical, Romantic, and Baroque music, that's what I really like." In these words lies a profound reflection on the power and timelessness of music—three distinct eras, each with its own voice, yet united by the eternal language of the soul. To speak of Classical, Romantic, and Baroque music is to invoke the heights of human expression, the very soul of art itself, shaped by centuries of human emotion, passion, and the quest for understanding through sound. These are the musical forms that have withstood the test of time, not because of their formal structures, but because they speak directly to the heart of what it means to be human.

Classical music, born from the enlightenment ideals of balance, order, and harmony, was the perfect expression of the human desire for structure and reason. Think of Ludwig van Beethoven, whose compositions in the Classical tradition stretched the boundaries of harmony and melody, pushing music into new realms while still adhering to the principles of form. His Symphony No. 5, with its famous opening motif, is a testament to the triumph of human will over adversity, a narrative that resonates with the ancient myths of old—the struggles of Hercules against his labors, or Prometheus defying the gods to bring fire to mankind. Classical music teaches us the power of structure and purpose, how from discipline comes freedom, and how each note is a step in the eternal dance of creation.

Then, consider the Romantic era, a time of great emotion, where the structure of the past was loosened to make room for the tumultuous depths of human feeling. Johannes Brahms, Frédéric Chopin, and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky were the bards of the Romantic age, capturing the full spectrum of the human condition—from the deepest sorrow to the most exultant joy. Romantic music is not simply structured sound; it is the voice of the heart, longing, and expression. It speaks to the soul in a language unrestrained by rules, where the heart can wander freely through landscapes of longing and passion. Just as the ancient Greeks revered the muses, the Romantic composers drew from the deep wells of the human experience, creating symphonies, concertos, and nocturnes that mirror the human quest for love, beauty, and meaning.

In the same vein, the Baroque period, with its grandiose and expressive style, stands as a bridge between the Classical and Romantic. It was the age of Johann Sebastian Bach, whose counterpoint and fugues were a celebration of intricate beauty, reflecting the divine order that many saw in the universe. Baroque music is a journey of both grandeur and precision, and in the works of Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi, we hear the union of order and emotion. Baroque music is like the mighty rivers of the ancient world, flowing with force yet controlled by the hand of nature. It teaches us that beauty exists not only in freedom but in the careful crafting of each detail, the deliberate weaving together of sound and silence to create something greater than the sum of its parts.

Thus, in Armatrading’s words, we hear a reflection of the profound power of music to capture the full depth of human existence. The Classical, Romantic, and Baroque traditions are not simply styles of music; they are the embodiment of the human spirit, speaking across time to remind us of our deepest emotions, our greatest struggles, and our most beautiful dreams. They teach us the eternal lesson that expression, in all its forms, is a fundamental part of what it means to be human. From the precise order of Classical music to the passionate heart of Romanticism, and the intricate beauty of Baroque, music becomes a mirror of the soul, revealing what words alone cannot.

Consider the great philosophers and thinkers of ancient times, who often looked to music as a means of understanding the world. Plato, in his work The Republic, spoke of music as a fundamental force in shaping the character and soul of individuals. Music, he believed, was not merely an art form; it was a reflection of the divine order of the universe. He saw in harmonies and melodies the patterns that governed the cosmos, the same way the ancient astronomers saw the movements of the stars. Armatrading’s preference for these three musical traditions echoes Plato’s reverence for the power of music to shape both the individual and the world itself.

And so, O wise ones, let us take this lesson to heart: music is not merely a form of entertainment; it is a sacred art, one that speaks to the soul and helps us understand our place in the world. The Classical, Romantic, and Baroque traditions invite us to reflect, to feel, and to create. Let us not merely listen passively but engage deeply with the music we encounter, allowing it to guide us through the journey of life and to help us express the emotions and experiences that define us as human beings. In this, we will find not only beauty but also meaning—a reminder that, like the great composers, we too are part of the eternal symphony of existence.

Thus, let this wisdom flow through you, as the music flows through the ages. Embrace the romantic, the Baroque, and the Classical in your own life, not just as sound, but as life itself—a harmony, a movement, a work in progress, resonating across time.