Kevin Wampler <wam### [at] uwashingtonedu> wrote:
> On 7/7/2011 9:46 AM, Warp wrote:
> > Jim Holsenback<nom### [at] nomailcom>  wrote:
> >> LOL, so I guess you're OK with calling something only 30/40 years
> >> "Classic". I guess then by that scale, Bob Dylan would be what ...
> >> antique ;-)
> >
> >    It depends on the lifespan of the genre. "Classic" or "classical" usually
> > refers to the beginnings, when the genre was still new and finding its
> > shape.
> >
> >    Theatre has existed for thousands of years, hence you wouldn't call
> > 1950's theatre "classical", but instead classical theatre would be something
> > from 2000 years ago.
> >
> >    In contrast, rock&roll has existed for less than 100 years, so "classical
> > rock&roll" would be something like from the 1950's and before.
> >
> >    Rap began in the 70's and 80's, and hence the classical period of rap
> > would be from those times.
> >
>
> I've occasionally heard "classic" used this way, but never "classical",
> and frankly it sounds pretty wrong to my ears.  I'd always taken
> "classical" in this context (that is, the context of art) to refer to
> one of the following:
>
> 1) Art work from antiquity (particularly ancient Greece and Rome)
> 2) Art inspired by antiquity
> 3) Art marked by a simplicity of form and/or a restraint of emotion
> 4) A generic term for "serious" art
> 5) The two definitions which pertain the the genre of music (related to
> some of the above)
>
> Am I missing something and it's actually in common usage to use
> "classical" to refer simply to the origins of a genre?  It seems a waste
> to generalize a perfectly useful word like that when there's others that
> are better suited anyway.

Classical refers to a particular time period.  Classic means it's worthy enough
to be talked about in studying classes.

I don't think there'll ever be classic rap... :p

Post a reply to this message