Classical Music Era: Style, Forms, and Composers

The Classical Period (1750–1820)

The Classical Period (1750–1820) saw many changes. The French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars transformed Europe. During this time, it became more possible for the public to enjoy and participate in leisure activities.

Shift in Patronage and Public Music

• The patronage system of the Baroque era began to die out.
• It was replaced by the first public concerts where people paid to attend.

Musical Characteristics

Music of the Classical Period tended to be:

• Simple and balanced.
• Less overtly emotional than Baroque music.
• Characterized by straightforward titles, rather than flowery descriptive ones.
• Often absolute music (Classical works not intended for dancing or any other special occasion), performed in recital or concert halls.

Key Elements of Classical Style

• Melody: Short, clearly defined musical phrases with two or more themes.
• Rhythm: Very defined and regular.
• Texture: Primarily homophonic (melody with accompaniment using notes of a chord).
• Timbre: The symphony orchestra was arranged into four sections. The harpsichord was seldom used; the piano was preferred.
• Dynamics: A greater range of dynamics was employed, including the use of crescendos and diminuendos.

Instrumental Music Forms

Instrumental music became more important than vocal music during the Classical Period, and more instruments were added to the orchestra.

Major Instrumental Forms

Concerto

Featured a soloist, while the rest of the orchestra provided accompaniment. Concertos were written for all instruments of the orchestra.

Symphony

The term means "sounding together" and applies to the full orchestra playing simultaneously. For the first time, instrumental music was considered more important than vocal music.

• A symphony is a long composition for orchestra, typically with three movements: fast–slow–fast.
• Composers attempted to make each movement different by changing mood, tempo, and style.
• Franz Joseph Haydn is considered the father of the symphony, composing 104 symphonies.

Sonatas and Chamber Music

• Sonatas were written for one or two instruments; the favorite instrument of the time was the piano.
• Quartet: A sonata written for two violins, one viola, and one cello.

The Rise of the Concert

Concerts became an important aspect of music. In 1748, the first hall in Europe specifically designed for concerts was built.

• The rise of the concert allowed orchestral music to reach the public, growing in prestige and importance.
• Concert series allowed composers another way to earn a living, though church and court patronage remained significant.

Sonata Form Structure

Symphonies, concertos, and sonatas were based on sonata form, which composers used to provide structure to compositions. It became the most popular compositional form.

By 1700, the sonata evolved into a formal composition containing three or four movements. The first movement was the most strict, consisting of three sections:

1. Exposition: Melodies are exposed.
2. Development: Themes are altered.
3. Recapitulation: Restates all themes.

Sometimes, the form includes an introduction and a coda.

Vocal Music

Vocal music centered on opera. Operas were written and enjoyed primarily by the wealthier part of society because they were expensive.

Opera Styles

• Opera seria
• Opera buffa (more popular during Mozart's time, e.g., The Marriage of Figaro and The Magic Flute).

Important Composers

The musical center of Europe was Vienna. Important composers include:

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• Franz Joseph Haydn
• Ludwig van Beethoven (considered the greatest composer by some).