Does Musical Theatre Use Classical Music?

Musical Theatre|Theater

Musical theatre is a form of performance art that combines elements of music and theatre to create a unique and powerful experience. It is an art form that has been around for centuries and has evolved greatly over the years.

While musical theatre may be seen as a combination of both music and theatre, the two components are actually quite distinct. Music is an integral part of musical theatre, but it does not always use classical music.

Classical music is a term used to refer to the traditional Western style of music from the 17th to 19th centuries. This type of music is usually very structured with precise rules for composition and performance.

It often features complex harmonies and sophisticated instrumentation, including string instruments such as violins or cellos, wind instruments such as flutes or oboes, and keyboard instruments such as harpsichords or pianos. Classical music is usually composed by experienced musicians who have mastered the craft of writing for these instruments in particular.

Musical theatre on the other hand, often uses songs written by contemporary composers who are not necessarily trained in writing classical music. These composers may draw inspiration from other genres such as jazz, rock, pop or folk music to create an entirely new sound that fits within the context of the show.

In addition to this, musicals often use pre-recorded backing tracks instead of live instrumentalists to accompany singers onstage. This allows for more flexibility in creating unique sounds tailored specifically to each production’s needs.

In some cases however, there may be instances where classical music is used in musical theatre productions. For example, some recent productions have included pieces from renowned classical composers such as Mozart or Beethoven into their scores as a way of adding sophistication or gravitas to certain scenes or moments within a show. Additionally, some musicals are even based on existing classical works such as operas or ballets which feature original compositions by renowned classical composers like Wagner or Tchaikovsky respectively.

Overall though, it would be inaccurate to say that all musical theatre uses classical music – while it can certainly be used in certain instances, it would not be accurate to say that this is always the case with every production out there today. Musical theatre remains an ever-evolving art form that freely draws inspiration from many different sources in order to create something unique and exciting each time.

Conclusion

To conclude, while classical music can certainly play a part in some musical theatre productions when called for – it does not necessarily define all aspects of this art form’s soundscape. Musical theatre remains an ever-evolving art form which freely draws inspiration from many different genres and sources.