Academic Music

Academic Music, also known as art music, burst onto the scene in the late 19th century when composers decided that there were enough notes in the Western scale to warrant serious intellectual consideration. With its roots in European classical traditions, it's often characterised by an impressive, if slightly daunting, complexity; think long symphonic movements that require a degree in mathematics to fully appreciate. The genre holds a peculiar place in culture, admired by critics whilst many ordinary folk quietly wonder if they could have done a better job with a ukulele.