This is a list of musical genres organized according to the eras of Classical music. The form of a musical composition refers to the general outline of the composition, based on the sections that comprise it or on specific details that are unique to a certain type of composition. For example, a rondo is based on alternation between familiar and novel sections (ABACA); a mazurka is defined by its meter and rhythm; a nocturne is based on the mood it creates, required to be inspired by or evocative of night. This list summarizes these broadly defined forms and genres within the musical periods that they arose or became common. Medieval Ballade Ballata Canso Conductus Estampie Geisslerlied Gregorian Chant Lai (poetic form) Lauda (song) Madrigal (Trecento) Motet Organum Planctus Saltarello Renaissance Ballade Canzona Carol Chanson Fantasia Chromatic fantasia Galliard Intermedio Lauda Litany Madrigal Madrigal comedy Madrigale spirituale Mass Cyclic mass Parody mass Paraphrase mass Cantus firmus mass Motet Motet-chanson Opera Pavane Ricercar Sequence Tiento Toccata Baroque Allemande Bourrée Canary Canon Cantata Chaconne Concerto Concerto grosso Solo concerto Courante Fugue Galliard Gavotte Gigue Loure Mass Minuet Opera Opera buffa Opera seria Oratorio Partita Passacaglia Passepied Pastorale Prelude Rigaudon Sarabande Sinfonia Sonata Flute sonata Trio sonata Suite Sonatina Classical + Romantic Arabesque Bagatelle Ballade Ballet Classical ballet Caprice Carol Concerto Cello concerto Clarinet concerto Double bass concerto Flute concerto Oboe concerto Piano concerto Trumpet concerto Viola concerto Violin concerto Dance Divertimento Étude Fantasy Impromptu Intermezzo Lied Mass March Mazurka Music hall Nocturne Octet Opera Ballad opera Opera buffa Opéra comique Opera seria Operetta Overture Concert overture Symphonic poem Singspiel Zarzuela Concert Aria Oratorio Polonaise Prelude Quartet Piano quartet String quartet Oboe quartet Quintet Piano quintet String quintet Wind Quintet Requiem Rhapsody Rondo Scherzo Serenade Sinfonia concertante Sonata Bassoon sonata Cello sonata Clarinet sonata Flute sonata Piano sonata Violin sonata Viola sonata Song cycle Symphony Program symphony Choral symphony Suite Waltz 20th and 21st Century Ballet Neoclassical ballet Contemporary ballet Burlesque Cabaret Concerto for Orchestra Electronic music Experimental music theatre Film score Moment form Minimal music Musical theatre Opera Soundtrack Trio Vaudeville Classical music styles Classical