Given the diversity of the cultures spanning the continent of Europe, it is no wonder that European music is equally as diverse. While classical music has its origins in Europe, today there is a variety of musical styles and instruments endemic to European culture. Classical composers and musicians – including the famous Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn, Bach, Strauss, Chopin, and Vivaldi – were born and bred on European shores, and they fathered what is the basis of classical musical composition. Musical instruments native to classical music include the violin, cello, and flute. Russian music, in contrast, is traditionally lively or sentimental, often employing the balalaika or the accordion or, in the Ukraine, the bandura. Each culture and country in Europe has its traditional or folk music and they often differ in form, style, and instrument.
In the 20th century, a change was seen from the classical or romantic musical forms, to the present-day musical genres, largely influenced by American culture. With the advent of radio, TV, video, Internet, and multi-media, music was no longer limited to concerts, and musicians were able to become known in the wider public arena, faster and more broadly than before. With music becoming more portable and more accessible, European music has revolutionised from its early days and has intermixed with other international musical genres. European music today refers to a wide variety of musical genres, including rap, jazz, pop, soul, etc. Every year in Europe, a pan-European musical contest is held called the Eurovision Song Contest, which is aimed at bridging nations together through music and song.