Classical+Era+Music,+1750-1810


 * Classical Era Music: 1750-1810**

Classical era classical music? ... Isn't that redundant?


 * __Introduction to Classical Era music__**

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The Classical period itself lasted from approximately 1750 to 1810. The name classical is applied to the period because in art and literature, there was keen interest in, admiration for, and emulation of the classical artistic and literary heritage of Greece and Rome.======

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Intellectually, this era has also been labeled the __Age of Enlightenment__. Philosophers such as Rousseau, Voltaire, and Montesquieu wrote of the value of the common person and the power of human reasoning in overcoming the problems of the world. This revolution in thinking inevitably led to conflict between the old order and new ideas. The French Revolution (1787-1799) and American Revolution (1765-1783) in the last quarter of the eighteenth century were stimulated by this new attitude.======

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The musical scene in the classical period reflected the changes occurring in the society in which the music was being written. This was the first era in music history in which public concerts became an important part of the musical scene. Music was still being composed for the church and the court, but the advent of public concerts reflected the new view that music should be written for the enjoyment and entertainment of the common person.======


 * __Defining Classical Music Style__:**

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Classical music has a lighter, clearer texture than Baroque music and is less complex. It is mainly homophonic melody above chordal accompaniment (but counterpoint by no means is forgotten, especially later in the period). It also make use of [|style galant] in the classical period which was drawn in opposition to the strictures of the Baroque style, emphasizing light elegance in place of the Baroque's dignified seriousness and impressive grandeur. =====

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Variety and contrast within a piece became more pronounced than before. Variety of keys, melodies, rhythms and dynamics (using crescendo, diminuendo and sforzando), along with frequent changes of mood and timbre were more commonplace in the Classical period than they had been in the Baroque. Melodies tended to be shorter than those of Baroque music, with clear-cut phrases and clearly marked cadences. =====

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The orchestra increased in size and range; the harpsichord continuo fell out of use, and the woodwind became a self-contained section. As a solo instrument, the harpsichord was replaced by the piano (or fortepiano). Early piano music was light in texture, often with Alberti bass accompaniment, but it later became richer, more sonorous and more powerful. =====

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Importance was given to instrumental music—the main kinds were sonata, trio, string quartet, symphony, concerto, serenade and divertimento. Sonata form developed and became the most important form. It was used to build up the first movement of most large-scale works, but also other movements and single pieces (such as overtures). =====

__**Additional Links for Content**__: Kids Corner site for Classical Music: Link Beginners Guide to the Orchestra: Link All Music Guide: Link Mozart vs. Salieri: [|Link]


 * __Major Figures in the Classical Era__:** (Top 8 Composers, Profile Link)

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// (Haydn's music contains many jokes, and the Surprise Symphony includes probably the most famous of all: a sudden [|fortissimo] chord at the end of the otherwise [|piano] opening theme in the variation-form second movement. The music then returns to its original quiet [|dynamic], as if nothing had happened, and the ensuing variations do not repeat the joke.) //=====

Christoph Willibald Gluck (German, 1714-1787): Link
Dance of the Furies: Link

Cello Concerto in A Major: Link
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): [|Link] Piano Trio C Minor (written during Classical Era, 1793-1795): Link