Which of These Best Describes the Classical Period of Music?

The Classical period of music is a time when composers sought to imitate the great masters of the past. They wrote in a style that was more restrained than the Baroque, and they often used simpler harmonies and melodies.

The Classical Period

The Classical period was an era of classical music between 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 Baroque Period

The Baroque period is generally considered to run from 1600 to 1750. That said, there is a great deal of overlap between the early part of the Baroque (around 1600 to 1675) and the late part of the Renaissance (1500 to 1600). And, as with any historical era, there are regional variations. Many historians place the beginning of the Baroque in 1580, when the Council of Trent reaffirmed the Roman Catholic Church’s commitment toART music. This would make sense, since many of the most important early Baroque composers were religious figures working within the Church.

The end of the Baroque period is more clearly defined. It is often pegged to 1750, when Johann Sebastian Bach died. That said, some scholars believe that Bach was actually a pre-Classical composer—his music exhibits characteristics that anticipate Haydn and Mozart. So, if we take Bach’s death as a marker, it means that the Classical period overlaps with both the late Baroque and early Galant periods.

The term “Baroque” has been used in a variety of ways over the years. In its broadest sense, it can be applied to just about any Western art from roughly 1600 to 1750—including painting, architecture and sculpture, as well as music. For our purposes here at Bedford e-School though we will focus on music alone. More specifically, when we talk about “Baroque music” we are referring to European concert music written during this time period for voices and/or instruments—typically for small ensembles or solos with accompaniment by basso continuo (a bass line played by one or more lower pitched instruments along with a keyboard instrument).

The Classical Period

The Classical period was an era of classical music between approximately 1730 and 1820. The Classical period falls between the Baroque and the Romantic periods. Classical music has a lighter, cleaner 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.

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The best-known composers from the Classical period are Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven and Franz Schubert; other notable names include Luigi Boccherini, Muzio Clementi, Antonio Soler, Anton Stamitz and Johann Christian Bach.

The Romantic Period

The Romantic period was one of the most innovative and musically diverse periods in history. It spanned from approximately 1820 to 1900 and was a time of great technical advances in music. This period saw the development of program music, which told a story or conveyed a mood through music. Opera and ballet also flourished during this time. Romantic composers were influenced by folk music, art song, and nationalistic pride. Some of the most famous composers of the Romantic period include Ludwig van Beethoven, Frederic Chopin, Franz Schubert, Giuseppe Verdi, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Johann Strauss II, and Antonin Dvorak.

The Classical Period of Music

The Classical period of music is from 1750 to 1825. This era is known for its balance, order, and emotional restraint. One of the most famous composers from this period is Ludwig van Beethoven.

The Baroque Period of Music

The Baroque period of music is usually associated with the rise of the middle class and the Protestant Reformation in Europe. This period saw the development of new instrumental forms such as the concerto and sonata, and new genres such as opera. The music of this period is characterized by its grandiose, formal style and its use of complex harmonies.

The most important composers of the Baroque period include Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel, Antonio Vivaldi, and Claudio Monteverdi.

The Classical Period of Music

The Classical period of music is generally considered to have spans from the mid 1700s to the early 1800s. The period saw the rise of classical music as we know it and compositionally is characterized by its balance, symmetry and elegant simplicity. The focus on formal structure and order was in part due to the political instability at the time – composers were looking for ways to bring about a sense of control and serenity in their works. The piano also became increasingly popular during this time, as did public concerts.

Some of the most famous classical period composers include Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Haydn and Johann Sebastian Bach. Classical music has had a lasting influence on all subsequent genres of music and continues to be widely performed all over the world today.

The Romantic Period of Music

The Romantic Period of music lasted from approximately 1815 to 1910. This period saw a great expansion in the size of orchestras, and the range and variety of instruments used in them. New instruments were invented, including the saxophone, clarinet and piano. Music became increasingly expressive and emotional, with composers such as Beethoven, Chopin and Liszt writing some of their most memorable works during this time.