Classical Music Era: Social Context, Style, and Composers

Classicism: 18th and 19th Centuries

Social Context

The absolutist kings' power began to be questioned and started its decline. The bourgeoisie arises, formed by traders and bankers, who gradually gain power, rivaling the nobles.

Cultural Shift

Art is no longer exclusive to the clergy or nobility; it aims to charm and please. Music is considered entertainment. Classical music is characterized by moderation, order, and good taste. The bourgeoisie, with its purchasing power, attends concerts, buys scores and instruments, and plays music more readily, a significant shift from the Baroque era.

Musicians and Patrons

Classical musicians often served the nobility because they didn't have enough income from selling scores or concert tickets. However, this patronage came with obligations: lack of freedom (they had to do what their patron wanted), restriction of movement, and the fact that their works belonged to the patron.

Classical Vocal Music

Unlike the Baroque, where opera was the predominant musical form, Classicism seeks a lighter and more relatable style. Themes shift from mythological subjects to everyday life. Decorations and scenery change to reflect these shifts. Comic opera gains importance over serious opera.

Highlights:

• Emphasis on the dramatic qualities of the script
• The orchestra's enhanced role
• Fusion of text and music
• Increased importance and prominence of the choir

Instruments

String Family

• Plucked string: The guitar is increasingly employed.
• Struck string: The harpsichord is replaced by the pianoforte (invented by Cristofori in 1710), whose mechanical hammers hitting the strings allow for dynamic variation in sound intensity.
• Bowed string: Violins (first and second), viola, cello, and bass.

Wind Family

Flutes, oboes, clarinets, horns, and trumpets.

Percussion Family

New precision rhythmic elements are introduced, such as timpani (tuned to tonic and dominant), triangle, and cymbals.

Key Characteristics of the Classical Period (Second half of the 18th and early 19th centuries):

• Main composers: Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven.
• The emergence of the independent composer, free from a patron.
• Secular music gains prominence over religious music.
• Opera undergoes reforms to become more credible; comic opera gains importance.
• The basso continuo is abandoned in favor of vertical writing in harmony.
• Variety of rhythmic structures.
• The Mannheim school introduces dynamic contrasts like crescendo and diminuendo.
• The "sonata form" becomes prevalent in various forms and genres.
• New forms appear, such as the sonata, symphony, and solo instrument concerto accompanied by the orchestra.

The Classical Orchestra

• Large orchestras (like those in Berlin or Vienna) had around 40 components.
• Medium-sized orchestras (like in Salzburg or Esterhazy) had 15-25 musicians.
• Typically included strings, 4-5 woodwinds, 2-3 brass instruments, and percussion.

Musical Characteristics (1750-1800):

• Brilliantly simple melodies are fundamental.
• Instrumental forms: sonata, symphony, and concerto.
• Predominance of instrumental music.

Key Composers

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Salzburg 1756 – Vienna 1791)

A child prodigy, educated by his father, Leopold. He toured Europe extensively and composed around 750 works in the classical style, including Requiem, The Magic Flute, and Symphony No. 40.

Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)

Served the Esterhazy family in Hungary. He standardized the sonata form into three parts. Born in Vienna, died in England. Notable works include Cello Concertos, Oxford Symphonies, Farewell Symphony, Clock Symphony, and the oratorio The Creation.

Luigi Boccherini (1743-1805)

Born in Italy, he moved to Spain and had a significant influence on Spanish classical music. His best-known work is the Minuet in E major for string quintet.