• The European tradition of music which is associated with high culture, as distinct from popular or folk forms (including works in this tradition in non-European countries).
• That tradition as well as similar non-European traditions.
• A particular stage in the development of the European art music tradition, centered in the late 18th century.

This article discusses classical music in the first sense. For the second, see List of classical music styles. For the third, see Classical period (music).

Classical music is a broad, somewhat imprecise term, referring to music produced in, or rooted in the traditions of, Western art, ecclesiastical and concert music, encompassing a broad period from roughly 1000 to the present day.^[] The central norms of this tradition developed throughout this period but reached their heights of complexity and development in the period between 1550 and 1900: what is known as the common practice period.