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The term "neoclassical" as applied to music means a compositional style based on 18th century structures. These structures are most commonly the sonata form, the minuet, and the rondo. Each structure is made up of thematic material, often more than one theme, that is played, developed, altered and repeated according to very specific formulas. Even a song has a structure. Often, that structure is A-B-A. A theme is presented and played (A) a second theme is introduced and played (B), the first theme is repeated (A). Many songs have this structure.  Try singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" (which has been attributed to Mozart when he was a child.) Here's how it works: A section: Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are. (1st theme) B section: Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky (2nd theme, harmonically related) A section: Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are. (1st theme repeated) Neoclassical music is composed based on the musical structures of the 18th century, applied to modern harmonies and musical techniques. The term was actually first used by the Russian composer, Igor Stravinsky to describe his own music as he evolved from the romantic style into the modern 20th century style. Sometimes people get confused by the term "neoclassical" because so much 20th century neoclassical music was atonal or dissonant. This music did not have the familiar harmonic progressions or gentle harmonic patterns of earlier times. Instead, it was stark and strident sounding, often without recognizable melody or harmony. Yet, it did adhere to the musical structure of 18th century music. In more recent times, with a return towards consonant and tonal music, neoclassical style can sound much more like its original counterpart, although, because it is a structure, it is applied to many different tonal approaches, including rock music. What makes it neoclassical is not the sound, but the structure upon which the sound is laid. This is a different approach from another popular form of music, the sequence. Sequence or "loop" music is more often heard in Jazz, New Age music and spiritual, meditative music. In sequence music, a theme is created and then played over and over again, sometimes with variations (at which point it becomes a "theme and variation" structure). The sequence form is ancient and has been used by many cultures. In much modern sequence music, a theme will be presented and then developed over time at great length. Sequence music is useful as a sound loop in the background for a computer game or in any situation where the music is simply playing to provide atmosphere (ambience)-- as in easy listening music or mood music-- but not call much attention to itself. It is popular for popular dance, meditative and New Age music where both the tonal quality and the sequence form work to achieve a desired psycho acoustic effect. Neoclassical music can use the same meditative tonal qualities used in sequence music (i.e. New Age approach). But neoclassical music adds an intellectual interest because it provides for change in mood based on structure and the presentation of new thematic material. The structure of neoclassical music helps a composer tell a story through music. There is a beginning, a development, a middle and an end. And along the way, there can be drama, conflict and resolution. Neoclassical music creates a complex ambience because it changes over time. Thus, when one theme bridges to another, the mind "shifts gears" as it considers the mood of the new section or theme. This tends to stimulate the imagination and give neoclassical music great interest, keeping the listener relaxed, yet alert. The result can been a stimulation of idea generation and inspiration.

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