List of classical music genres

This is a list of musical genres organized according to the eras of Classical music. The form of a musical composition refers to the general outline of the composition, based on the sections that comprise it or on specific details that are unique to a certain type of composition. For example, a rondo is based on alternation between familiar and novel sections (ABACA); a mazurka is defined by its meter and rhythm; a nocturne is based on the mood it creates, required to be inspired by or evocative of night. This list summarizes these broadly defined forms and genres within the musical periods that they arose or became common.

Medieval[]

Ballata
Estampie
Gregorian Chant
Madrigal (Trecento)
Motet
Organum
Saltarello

Renaissance[]

Ballade
Canzona
Carol
Chanson
Fantasia
- Chromatic fantasia
Galliard
Intermedio
Lauda
Litany
Madrigal
Madrigal comedy
Madrigale spirituale
Mass
- Cyclic mass
- Parody mass
- Paraphrase mass
- Cantus firmus mass
Motet
Motet-chanson
Opera
Pavane
Ricercar
Sequence
Tiento
Toccata

Baroque[]

Allemande
Canon
Cantata
Chaconne
Concerto
- Concerto grosso
- Solo concerto
Courante
Fugue
Gavotte
Gigue
Mass
Minuet
Opera
- Opera buffa
- Opera seria
Oratorio
Partita
Passacaglia
Passepied
Pastorale
Prelude
Sarabande
Sinfonia
Sonata
- Flute sonata
- Trio sonata
Suite
Sonatina

Classical + Romantic[]

Arabesque
Bagatelle
Ballade
Ballet
- Classical ballet
Caprice
Carol
Concerto
- Cello concerto
- Clarinet concerto
- Double bass concerto
- Flute concerto
- Oboe concerto
- Piano concerto
- Trumpet concerto
- Viola concerto
- Violin concerto
Dance
Divertimento
Étude
Fantasy
Impromptu
Intermezzo
Lied
Mass
Mazurka
March
Music hall
Nocturne
Octet
Opera
- Ballad opera
- Opera buffa
- Opéra comique
- Opera seria
- Operetta
- Overture
  - Concert overture
  - Symphonic poem
- Singspiel
- Zarzuela
- Concert Aria
Oratorio
Polonaise
Prelude
Quartet
- Piano quartet
- String quartet
- Oboe quartet
Quintet
- Piano quintet
- String quintet
Requiem
Rhapsody
Rondo
Scherzo
Serenade
Sinfonia concertante
Sonata
- Piano sonata
- Violin sonata
- Viola sonata
- Cello sonata
- Flute sonata
- Clarinet sonata
- Bassoon sonata
Symphony
- Program symphony
- Choral symphony
Suite
Waltz

20th and 21st Century[]

Ballet
- Neoclassical ballet
- Contemporary ballet
Burlesque
Cabaret
Concerto for Orchestra
Electronic music
Experimental music theatre
Film score
Moment form
Minimal music
Musical theatre
Opera
Soundtrack
Trio
Vaudeville