Is 18th and 19th century folk music not classical music?

[Vivaldi]

Is 18th and 19th century folk music not classical music?

[msmissydc]

Well it depends on the definition. I did a quick read so I quote the English oxford dictionary here:

• 'of acknowledged excellence'
• 'of, relating to, or characteristic of a formal musical tradition, as distinguished from popular or folk music'
• 'and more specifically, "of or relating to formal European music of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, characterized by harmony, balance, and adherence to established compositional forms'

So this means, that by definition folk is specifically seperated from classical music.

[purplepoppy]

It can be if the quality is there and it's stood the test of time. An example below is a folk song about a girl leaving for america from 1875 that's often arranged for instruments or sung in the style of classical music.

https://youtu.be/_gKXfDnsiJg

[andreasderjuengere]

From a caveman's perspective only a simple drum sequence is ''classic''

[Vivaldi]

What do you mean?

[andreasderjuengere]

I mean that the term ''classic'' actually is not related to a specific time period.

[Vivaldi]

What makes music classical music?

[andreasderjuengere]

The ''traditional'' view - as far as I can see it - is European music from the 1700's into the 1800's that wasn't folkloristic, or... ''ethnic''.
We meanwhile also use terms such as ''Classic Rock'' - so obviously, the term itself has morphed into something 'new'. Personally, I like this thought concept.
Even more so, as ''classic'' tunes had been picked up in Rock (and other genres) as well - and it gave a new ''interpretation''.