Rediscovering records

@richardbrand  

You’re quite right.

The term “Classical” can be used to describe a short period in music history or, generically, as a term for Western art music in general.  It can be confusing. 

 It describes not just orchestral music, but all kinds of art music (solo, chamber,   song, cantata,  etc.). There can also be short or long classical music.

@rvpiano 

There can also be short or long classical music

The exception always breaks the rule, but I can't think of many 'classical' music pieces that are under 8 minutes long ...

@rvpiano I agree, and the distortions in microgrooves pose real problems.  That said, I've found that most good vintage pressings do pretty well, if you allow for a certain degree of tolerance.  OTOH, I'm sorry to say that a well-done digital remastering from master tapes eliminates many issues.

You need to find a music loving friend, locally, hopefully an Audiophile.

There are many jazz compositions that run over 8 minutes owing mostly to improvisation by each musician, but time duration is still a faulty way to define a genre. I’m fine with “classical”. Like “pornography”, I can’t define it but I know it when I hear/see it.