The Classical Period of Music

The Classical period of music (1750-1820) is characterized by a lighter, clearer texture than the Baroque music that preceded it.

The Classical Period

Between about 1750 and 1830, Western Europe experienced a classical period in music. An “era” is a period of time with a certain characteristic. So what were the main characteristics of the classical period?

The Baroque Period

The Baroque period of music is usually thought to include the years 1600-1750. This period of music follows the Renaissance, and was followed by the Classical Period.

The Baroque period is known for its many strains of musical influence. The two most notable influences were the French and Italian styles. The French style was highly ornate and featured many elaborately ornamented melodies. The Italian style was more restrained, making use of simpler harmonies and melodic lines.

Other important composers from the Baroque period include Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel, Antonio Vivaldi, and Henry Purcell.

The Classical Period

The Classical period was an era of classical music between roughly 1730 and 1820. The Classical period falls between the Baroque and the Romantic periods. Classical music has a lighter, clearer texture than Baroque music and is less complex. It is mainly homophonic, using a clear melody line over a subordinate chordal accompaniment, but counterpoint was by no means forgotten, especially later in the period.

The major forms of the Classical period were sonata, concerto, symphony and string quartet. Most works were for keyboard instrument or orchestra, although there were also important pieces for voice and other solo instruments.

The Romantic Period

The Romantic period of music was a time of great change and evolution. The music became more expressive and emotive, with a wider range and range of dynamics. Composers began to experiment with new forms and structures, and to explore different tonalities and harmonies. This period is often seen as a reaction against the constraints of the previous classical period, with its emphasis on form and structure.

The Major Composers of the Classical Period

The Classical period of music lasted from the mid-1700s to the early 1800s. The major composers of this time were Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven. These composers created some of the most famous and well-loved pieces of music that are still popular today. Let’s take a closer look at the music of the classical period.

Johann Sebastian Bach

Bach was born in Eisenach, in the duchy of Saxe-Eisenach,quartered in Eisenach. His father,Ambrosius Bach,was a court trumpeter for the Duke of Saxe-Eisenach and director of the town’s musicians. His uncles were all professional musicians,whose posts included church organists, court chamber musicians and composers. One uncle, Johann Christoph Bach(1645–1693),introduced him to the organ. Another Uncle, Johann Bernhard Bach(1676–1749), also became his teacher.

Johann Sebastian Bach’s parents died in 1694 and his elder brother in 1695. After a few years of schooling in Eisenach, he boarded with his schoolfriend Georg Erdmann – son of a local court musician – at the age of nine . He Erdmann introduced him to the works of great German composers such as Philipp Heinrich Erlebach and Tobias Michael Caspari .His first musical job came when he was fifteen as a court musician for Duke Wilhelm Ernst of Saxe-Weimar , working as a violinist and harpsichordist .

George Frideric Handel

George Frideric (or Frederick) Handel was born on February 23, 1685, in Halle, Duchy of Magdeburg, Germany. The son of a barber-surgeon, he was expected to follow in his father’s profession, but his passion was music. He became a celebrated organist and composer of concerts for his instrument.

In 1706, he journeyed to Hamburg, where he worked as a violinist and harpsichordist in the opera house. Two years later, he went to Italy to study composition and soon became greatly in demand as a composer of operas. His Italian works include Rodelinda (1725), Giulio Cesare (1726), and Alcina (1735).

In 1710, Handel moved to London, where he produced his English oratorios. These included works such as Esther (1732), Athalia (1733), Alexander Balus (1748), and Joshua (1748). Many of these were performed at churches during Lent when theatrical performances were banned.

Handel also composed numerous Instrumental works such as the Water Music Suite (1715) and the Fireworks Music Suite (1749). His greatest work is considered to be Messiah (1741), an oratorio based on biblical texts that has become one of the most popular pieces of choral music ever written.

Handel died on April 14, 1759 in London, England.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 – 1791) was an Austrian composer, widely recognized as one of the greatest composers in the history of Western music. His output of more than 600 compositions includes works that are widely acknowledged as pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, opera, and choral music. Many of his works are part of the standard concert repertoire and are widely known and loved by classical music fans around the world.

Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven is a well-renowned composer of the classical period. He was born in 1770 in the city of Bonn, Germany. His musical career lasted from around 1792 until his death in 1827. He composed numerous symphonies, concertos, string quartets, piano sonatas, and one opera. Beethoven’s music has been performed all over the world and his compositions continue to be some of the most popular pieces played by classical musicians today.

The Characteristics of Classical Music

The Classical period falls between the years of 1750 to 1830. This was a time of much change and new ideas in music. The typical characteristics of classical music are smooth, flowing melodies with a clear beat. The music is usually easy to listen to and not too complex.

The Structure of Classical Music

Classical music is generally constructed from four different parts, or movements. string quartets, symphonies, and concertos are all examples of works that are typically in four movements. The first and last movements are usually fast tempo and the middle two movements are slower. However, there is a lot of variation in how composers put together the four movements. For example, some works have three movements instead of four, some have all fast movements, or all slow movements.

The first movement is usually in sonata form. This means that it has two main themes that are introduced in the first part of the movement (the exposition), then developed and sometimes combined in the second part of the movement (the development), and then repeated in the third part of the movement (the recapitulation).

The second movement is usually in a slow tempi and in a contrasting musical style from the first movement. For example, if the first movement was in a major key, the second\nmovement might be in a minor key.

The third movement is usually in a faster tempo and is also usually in a contrasting style from the first two movements. It is often in compound meter (6/8 or 9/8) and sometimes includes a dance-like quality.

The fourth movement is also typically faster than the first three movements and brings the work to an exciting close. It is often in rondo form, which means that it contains several recurring sections with one section (the refrain) being played between each repetition of the other sections (the episodes).

The Instruments Used in Classical Music

The classical period saw the diversification of instrumentation. This section will deal with the common types of instruments used as well as some unique or unusual instruments that were popular during the classical period.

The string family consisted of the violin, viola, cello, double bass, and harp. The bowed strings were the most common type of orchestra in the classical period. The wind section typically had flutes, oboes, clarinets, and bassoons. Sometimes horns and trumpets were used as well but they were less common. The timpani was the only percussion instrument used in most classical orchestras.

The piano became more prevalent in this period and was often used as a solo instrument as well as in chamber groups and orchestras.New orchestral colors were created by introducing new instruments such other keyboards like the fortepiano and organ; brass instruments such as the trombone; valved brass instruments; and changing the role of certain instruments such as the English horn and piccolo.

The Melody in Classical Music

The Classical period of music is from approximately 1750 to 1820. This was a time when composers were starting to make a name for themselves and their work was becoming increasingly popular with the public. One of the characteristics of classical music that sets it apart from other genres is the melody.

Classical melodies are usually quite complex, with many different notes moving up and down in a seemingly random order. However, when you listen to a classical piece, you will notice that the melody is actually quite flowy and easy to follow. This is because the composer has used a technique called ” motivic development” whereby each note in the melody is related to the ones around it.

This gives the melody a sense of cohesion and makes it easy for the listener to follow. It also makes classical music very enjoyable to listen to, as you can hear how each note fits into the overall picture.

The Legacy of the Classical Period

The Classical period of music is one of the most important in the history of Western music. It was a time of great change and musical development. The period saw the rise of the symphony and opera, and the development of new genres such as the sonata, concerto, and fugue. The Classical period was also a time of great composers, such as Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven. The legacy of the Classical period has been felt in music ever since.

The Impact of the Classical Period on Music Today

The classical period of music is often said to be from 1750-1820, and was a time of great change in music. The baroque style died out, and new styles such as the classical and romantic styles emerged. Composers such as Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven became well-known, and their music is still popular today.

The impact of the classical period on music today is still very evident. Many of the composers from this period are still some of the most performed, and their music is still studied in schools. The form and structure of classical music has also been influential in the development of other genres, such as jazz.