Klassiske

Klassiske is a term used in Danish and Norwegian to describe things related to classical forms, the classical period in Western art and music, or qualities associated with tradition and formal balance. In everyday language it is applied to music, art, and architecture, with examples such as klassiske musikk, klassiske malerier, and klassiske arkitektur. The form derives from Latin classicus via historical usage in European languages, and klassiske is the adjectival form used when modifying plural nouns or in certain grammatical contexts.

In cultural use, klassiske is often contrasted with modern or popular styles, for instance in phrases like pop- eller moderne musikk, eller nyklassisk retning. In music discourse, it commonly designates the era and repertoire roughly spanning the mid-18th to early 19th centuries, including composers such as Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven, as well as the broader tradition of Western art music. The term can also refer more broadly to works that adhere to formal structures such as balance, clarity, and proportion.

Outside music, klassiske may describe traditional design and aesthetics in visual arts, sculpture, and architecture, emphasizing symmetry and order. The adjective is used in educational, cultural, and media contexts to signal a connection to long-established forms rather than innovations associated with contemporary or experimental art.

See also: Classical music, Klassisk, Nyklassisk, Classical tradition.