Western Classical

Western classical music traces its roots back to the 9th century in Europe, when monks decided that chanting needed a bit more pizzazz, thus inventing a genre of music that could rival the length of a Wagner opera just for a bit of fun. It's characterised by intricate compositions, often featuring strings and woodwinds that seem to have forgotten that shorter tunes exist, leading some listeners to feel like they've joined a marathon instead of a concert. The genre has inspired everything from ballets to film scores, proving that a well-placed crescendo can make anything sound immensely more dramatic, even your weekly trip to the supermarket.