The Classical Period of Western Musical History

TheClassical Periodof Western Music History

circa 1750 to 1820 A.D.

The Classical Periodc. 1750 to 1820

In the middle of the 18th century, European culture began to move toward a new style in

architecture, literature, and the arts. This style was known as Classicism, a style

that sought to emulate the ideals of Classical antiquity, especially those of Classical Greece.

Note: the term “Neo-classical” (“Neo” meaning “New”) was used to describe the new 18th century style in architecture,

literature, painting and sculpture, etc., so as to distinguish it from the classicism of ancient Greece and Rome.

But since virtually all the music of classical antiquity was lost with the Fall of the

Roman Empire, the basic term “Classical” was used to describe the new

18th century musical style.

The use of the term “Neoclassicism” as applied to music was later used to describe a musical trend employed by

some composers of 20th century music.)

The Classical Period

The Classical period in music history falls between the Baroque and Romantic periods. The best-known

composers of this period are Franz Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven.

Music of the Classical period has a lighter, simpler texture than Baroque music and is less complex. It is generally

homophonic in texture – a texture that consists of melody above a chordal harmonic accompaniment.

However, counterpoint, the predominant musical texture of music of the Baroque period, was also still employed by

Classical period composers, especially in the later Classical period.

Baroque vs. Classical Period MusicDespite the fact that they are different periods of musical

history, there are still many similarities between music of the Baroque period and music of the Classical period.

There is also considerable overlap between the two periods, so there are no absolute rules

that determine what constitutes Baroque music versus Classical period music.

That said, some of the general differences between Baroque and Classical period music are detailed

on the following slides.

Baroque vs. Classical Period Music

In the mid-1700s, a new, more expressive instrument, the piano, gradually replaced the harpsichord. A great deal of music was written for the

solo piano during the Classical period, which paved the way for the phenomenon

of the "piano virtuoso" to develop. Painting of young Mozart by

Saverio dalla Rosa (1745-1821)

Portrait of Madame Recamier (1800) by the French Neo-classical painter Jacques-Louis David (1748-1825)

During the Classical period, composers began using the piano as the primary tool to aid them in composing music.

Ludwig van Beethoven composing at the piano

The Orchestra Is Standardized in the Classical Period

Although the concept of the orchestra was established during the Baroque period, it wasn’t until the Classical Period that the

instrumentation of the orchestra became standardized. During the Classical period, composers also began increasing the size of the orchestra. By the end of the Classical period, the instrumentation of the orchestra became standardized as:

2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 French horns, 2 trumpets, timpani & strings.

Seating plan for a standard Classical period symphony orchestra

Art In The Classical Period

Portrait of Napoleon in His Study

(1812) by Jacques-Louis David

(now hanging in the National Art Gallery in Washington, DC)

Music in the Classical period was written to appeal to the emerging middle class audience,

whereas Baroque music was typically intended for the aristocracy or the church.

St. Georges Hall in Liverpool (built 1841-1854) is considered to be one of the finest examples of

Neoclassical architecture in Europe.

Opera was still very popular in the Classical period, but the subjects of the operas began to change.

In the Classical period, fewer operas were written about mythological characters as they were in the

Baroque period, and more operas were written about the lives of ordinary people,

such as in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro.

However, some Classical period operas were still written about kings.

Musical Style In The Classical Period

The style of music changed in the Classical period to become generally simpler in a number of ways.

The complex style of polyphonic music (music with many melodies simultaneously) that was prevalent in the late Baroque period was replaced in the Classical period by music that emphasizes single melodies with

an underlying accompaniment. The concepts of proportion and balance as applied to

phrasing and musical structure were also very important during the Classical period.

The length or duration of some musical works gradually increased in the Classical period. This

became evident with the development of the “Sonata-Allegro form.” This form became one of the

most important developments in Classical period music, because it was adopted as the standard

structure (musical architecture) for the first movements of Sonatas, Symphonies

and String Quartets.

Examples of Classical Period Music

Piano Sonata

Mozart: Sonata in C Major for Piano, K. 5451st Movement

[Next Slide]


Symphony

Mozart: Symphony No. 41 in C Major (The “Jupiter” Symphony)

1st Movement

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Concerto

Mozart: Concerto in G Major for Piano, K. 4531st Movement

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Examples of Classical Period MusicOpera Aria

Mozart: The Marriage of Figaro Recitative & Aria of Bass: “Non piu andrai”

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Examples of Classical Period MusicTheme and Variations

Haydn: Symphony No. 94 in G Major (“The Surprise Symphony”)2nd Movement: Andante

(“Andante” means “in a walking tempo” in Italian.)

[Next Slide]


Minuet and TrioThe Minuet and Trio is a common musical form in the

Classical period, especially in Symphonies.

Some Symphonies have 3 movements and some have 4 movements.

If a Symphony has 4 movements, then the Minuet & Trio form

is used as the 3rd movement.


Minuet and Trio StructureMinuet: A–A (repeat) B–B (repeat)

Trio: C–C (repeat) D–D (repeat)Da Capo: A–B

(“A,” “B,” “C” and “D” represent separate sections of music.“Da Capo” is an Italian musical term that directs the performer(s)

to begin again at the beginning or “top.” “Capo” means “Head” in Italian.)

Example (next slide):Haydn: Symphony No. 6 in D Major3rd Movement: Minuet & Trio (4’08”)


Rondo The Rondo form consists of the repeated use of a theme,

alternating with musical episodes, each consisting of a new theme, intervening among the repetitions, like this:

A – B – A – C – A – D – A – Coda)(A “Coda” in music is an ending. “Coda” means “tail” in Italian.)

Please listen to a short musical example (3’26,” next slide) of the Rondo from Haydn’s Piano Trio in G Major,

subtitled “Rondo all'Ongarese” (“Rondo in the Hungarian style”)

The Classical Period of Western Musical History

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