Classical music (music from the classical period) was that period's pop music. One of it's goals as a musical current was for it to be understood by as many peo

Classical music (music from the classical period) was that period's pop music. One of it's goals as a musical current was for it to be understood by as many people as possible. It also has a simpler texture than baroque music. The musical forms are clearly defined and composers did a lot of derivative works, starting with theme and variations. My guess is we see classical music as better because we only listen to the great composers, we don't get to hear that period's Biebers, Ke$has or Britneys. Would you call Puccini's music shallow, "cheap", ear candy ? His contemporaries did just that.