Symphony

Symphony music, that charmingly grand genre, really found its footing in the late 18th century, particularly in the palaces and concert halls of Europe; it’s where musicians discovered that gathering a sizeable orchestra and writing long, elaborate pieces could make one sound far more important than just strumming a lute in the corner of a pub. Characterised by a lovely blend of strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion, it often sounds like an elaborate, musical conversation where everyone is trying to say something profound, whilst occasionally arguing over who missed the cue. It has quite the cultural impact, having inspired everything from film scores to the nerve-racking countdown before every classical concert - one can only hope the conductor doesn't start juggling the baton as well.