Classical Music Era: Key Elements and Composers
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Melody
The line is sleek and melodic with little ornamentation, featuring a clear structure within a sixteen-bar phrase.
Alberti Bass
An accompaniment style where the piano is played with the left hand, arpeggiating the chords.
Religious Vocal Music
Continues previous forms such as masses, motets, and oratorios.
Secular Music
Gluck sets the foundation for modern opera. Mozart's opera brings everyday human behavior and character to the stage. The Austrian composer Joseph Haydn entered the cathedral in Vienna as a boy. After years of training, he entered the service of the Esterházy family in 1761, for whom he worked exclusively until 1790. He traveled to London with great success and is considered the father of the symphony, as he established its classical structure. He also composed chamber music, concertos, operas, sacred music, and piano works.
Sonata and Sonata Form
The sonata is an instrumental work; its underlying structure can be found in many different musical compositions.
Mannheim Orchestra
Considered the best orchestra in Europe for the quality of its individual musicians and their ensemble playing. Much of its fame was due to the spectacular dynamic effects they achieved: crescendos and diminuendos.
Symphony
An orchestral work without soloists, divided into movements, the first of which usually follows sonata form.
The Concerto
The concerto form developed during the Baroque period continues to evolve during the Classical era. The idea of establishing a musical dialogue between a solo instrument and the orchestra remains the basis of this musical form.
Chamber Music
Written for small ensembles, especially the string quartet and piano trio.
Keyboard Music
Includes piano sonatas. Like the symphony, the sonata for a musical instrument has been used from the 18th century to the present day.
Dance Music
During the 18th century, the development of dance techniques was constant. In the Classical era, ballet led to novel theatrical representations.