classical
The musical period from roughly 1750 to 1820, or a broad term for Western art music in general.
In Depth
In its narrow sense, the Classical period spans from the death of Bach (1750) to roughly the end of Beethoven's middle period (around 1820). Its hallmarks are clarity, balance, formal elegance, and the development of the symphony, string quartet, and piano sonata. Haydn, Mozart, and early Beethoven are the central figures.
In its broader sense, classical music refers to the entire Western art music tradition from medieval chant to contemporary concert music. This usage distinguishes art music from popular, folk, and traditional music. The Classical period specifically valued restraint and proportion — a reaction against the Baroque era's ornate complexity.
The term classical music wasn't widely used until the 19th century — during the actual Classical period, it was simply called music.