klassísku

Klassísku is an Icelandic term meaning "classical" and is used to describe things that belong to or resemble the classical tradition in music, art, literature, and philosophy. It functions as an adjective and is derived from the word klassískur, which itself traces back to Latin classicus. In Icelandic usage, klassísku appears in inflected forms depending on grammatical case and number, often appearing in phrases related to classical forms or styles.

In music, klassísku tónlist refers to the Western art music tradition associated with clarity, balance, and formal structure, roughly spanning from the Baroque through the Classical and into the early Romantic periods. The term is common in education and criticism to distinguish this repertoire from contemporary, folk, or experimental genres. Characteristic features include structured forms such as the symphony, sonata, and string quartet, tonal harmony, and developmental processes within movements.

Beyond music, the term is used to describe classical approaches in other arts and disciplines, such as classicist aesthetics in painting, sculpture, and literature. In Icelandic discourse, klassísku can designate a preference for traditional, time-honored methods and forms as opposed to modern or avant-garde trends.

See also: classical music, classical period, neoclassicism.