Robert Peters asks: >What exactly is classical music? Sometimes, the easiest questions are the hardest to answer. In the past, the List discussed the definition of music itself and came to no agreement. The same applies to defining classical music. Is the Titanic soundtrack classical music? - Sony said it is. I know some folks who consider Whitney Houston's music classical in nature; others think that folk music is classical. At the local Hastings in Albuquerque, the classical section has more discs devoted to a singer named Josh Groban(sp?) than to any other performer. I've listened to one of Josh's discs, and I consider it pop music all the way and not very good at that; Josh even takes Bach's music and butchers it thoroughly. But Hastings considers Josh classical, and nobody can prove them wrong. My point is that a strict definition will never pass muster with the majority of people. Musicologists can come up with a definition for classical music, but nobody listens to them. I can give you a definition, and nobody will listen to me. That's all to the good. Going over old ground, I previously stated that music was whatever an individual considered it to be, and I'll stick with this same theme for all sub-categories of music as well. I don't see how it can be any other way. Also, notions of classical music change over time, requiring at least a fluid definition. I assume that Robert will get many responses to his question, and I look forward to all the listmember views. Don Satz [log in to unmask]