When did musical criticism begin to gain serious influence in Europe?

Musical criticism began to gain serious influence in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries. This development coincided with the rise of newspapers and periodicals across the continent, which provided a platform for early writer-musicians to share systematic contributions to the field.1

The first journal dedicated entirely to music criticism, Critica Musica, was founded by Johann Mattheson in 1722. During this era, criticism was largely characterized by an academic focus on the rules of music, often judging compositions based on theoretical standards.1

As the field evolved, it moved through different phases, including the descriptive, Romantic-influenced criticism of the 19th century—led by figures such as Robert Schumann—and eventually shifted toward the analytical approaches of the 20th century. The 19th century also saw the emergence of the professional music critic, whose role became increasingly distinct from that of the practicing musician. Eduard Hanslick, often regarded as the father of modern musical criticism, was particularly influential during the second half of the 19th century for advocating a more autonomous and analytical perspective on music.12