THE MUSIC OF CLASSIFICAL PERIOD AND

THEIR FAMOUS COMPOSERS

01

FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN (1732-1809)

Franz Josef Haydn, by Thomas Hardy (1792).

Haydn was a remarkable composer, epitomizing the meaning of

classical period composition, and though he wasn't as flashy as the
younger Mozart, his music always stayed true to form. Haydn, unlike
most composers, had a "reliable and steady" job composing, directing,
teaching, performing, and managing musicians from the royal
Esterhazy family. During this time, Haydn composed many pieces of
music for the courtly orchestra to perform. With a staggering body of
work, including over 100 symphonies and 60 string quartets, he is
often referred to as the "Father of the Symphony".
 02

WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART (1756-1791)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Did you know that nearly half of Mozart's life was spent touring
the European continent? Born in 1756, Mozart was musical prodigy
who began composing at the age of five. Shortly after his talent was
discovered, his father was quick to take him on tours with his sister.
Tragically, Mozart died at the young age of 35. Despite his short life,
Mozart greatly advanced classical period music, contributing over 600
compositions. His compositional style is similar to that of Haydn's,
only more flamboyant and, during his lifetime, often criticized for
having "too many notes."
 03

ANTONIO SALIERI (1750-1825)

Antonio Salieri.

Salieri may have been envious of young Mozart's musical

genious, however the rumors of Salieri poisoning Mozart are, in fact,
simply rumors. Salieri was a respected Kapellmeister who was mostly
known for his contributions to opera. However, in 1804, Salieri
abruptly stopped composing operas, and instead, wrote only music for
the church. Salieri was friends with Haydn and gave music
composition lessons to Ludwig van Beethoven.
 04

CHRISTOPH WILLIBALD GLUCK (1714-1787)

Christoph Willibald Gluck.

Thanks to Christoph Willibald Gluck, opera as we know them

today could be radically different. Gluck revolutionized opera by
softening the contrast between recitatives (the dialogue between one
aria to the next) and arias by weaving underlying melodic themes and
orchestral passages within the recitatives as they flowed into the arias.
He wrote his scores in line with the opera's text, similar to how
modern composers compose film scores, and also melded French and
Italian operatic styles. In the late 1760s, Gluck allowed Salieri to study
with him and become his protege.
 05

MUZIO CLEMENTI (1752-1832)

As the "Father of the Pianoforte," Clementi was a strong and

vocal promoter of the piano. Clementi was a master of many musical
trades including a performer, composer, publisher, teacher, arranger,
and even instrument maker. He traveled extensively throughout
Europe, collecting and publishing music manuscripts, including those
of Beethoven's, and selling pianos. He also taught students who went
on to teach great composers like Chopin and Mendelssohn years later.
Clementi's most notable body of work are his compositions for
piano: Gradus ad Parnassum and three piano sonatas (op. 50).
 06

LUIGI BOCCHERINI (1743-1805)

Luigi Boccherini.

Luigi Boccherini lived at the same time as Haydn. In fact, their

music is so closely related; musicologists often refer to Boccherini as
the "wife of Haydn." Unfortunately, Bocchernini's music never
surpassed the popularity of Haydn's and, sadly, he died in poverty.
Like Haydn, Boccherini has a prolific collection of compositions, but
his most notable works are his cello sonatas and concertos, as well as
his guitar quintets. However, his most popular and instantly
recognizable classical piece of music is his famous Minuet from the
string quintet Op. 13, no. 5 (view a YouTube video of the famous
Minuet).
 07

CARL PHILIPP EMANUEL BACH (1714-1788)

Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach.

The second of three sons born to the great composer, Johann

Sebastian Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (named in part to honor
Georg Philpp Telemann, Bach Sr.'s friend and C.P.E. Bach's
godfather), was highly revered by Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven.
C.P.E. Bach's most valuable contribution to the classical period (and
the musical world as a whole) was his publication, An Essay on the
True Art of Playing Keyboard Instruments. It instantly became the
definitive for piano technique. To this day, it is still largely taught
throughout the world.
 08

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)

Ludwig van Beethoven.

Many view Beethoven as the bridge connecting the classical

period to the romantic period. Beethoven only wrote nine symphonies.
Compare that to Haydn and Mozart, who, combined, wrote over 150
symphonies. What makes Beethoven so special? I'll tell you. It was
Beethoven's successful attempt to break the mold of the highly
structured and refined rules of classical period composition. His
compositions, especially the famous Symphony No. 9, opened the
flood gates of composing with emotional abandon.