The Classical Period (1700-1820)
The Classical Period(1700-1820)
What is the classical period?
The classical period describes a phase of European culture in general, which often refers to the style of music typical of this era, but which can also include literature, architecture and the plastic
arts, among other things. This movement, prevalent in the 18th century, strongly emphasized
clarity, harmony, and symmetry instead of the overcomplexity characteristic of the baroque.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7jEpsgpPLQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_787156&feature=iv&src
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRgXUFnfKIY
Down with Bach!Enough with convoluted,
overcomplicated and bloated music. We want
music that is clear, prominent and progressive!
Major composers
Mozart (1756-1791)Wolfgang Amadeus
Mozart, who wrote over 600 pieces of music, was the preeminent
composer of the classical era, whose influence is so far-
reaching that his name has become associated with classical music in
general. He refined classical era music to
perfection.
Haydn (1732-1809)
Josef Haydn was another important compser and good
friend of Mozart. His music tends to be lighter in tone and more comical than Mozart's, whose
music featured quick shifts between light and darkers tones.
Beethoven (1771-1827)Beethoven, like Mozart, was
another composer of magnificent importance. He was also a crucial figure in
the transition between classical and romantic music. While much of his music still retains the the structure of classical era music, he left classical music a fiery and
passionate spirit which threatened to disrupt the orderly structure of high
classicism.
Classical or Baroque?
Orderly Complex Simple Intricate Polyphony Sudden Harmonic Counterpoint Syncopation
Simplicity Clarity Equality Distorted Uneven Progressive Symmetry Involved Melodic