Music of the

Classical Period
Prepared by: Daniel M. Alcazarin
Science Teacher I
Talangan Integrated National High School
 What does “Classical” mean?
• From 1750 on artists, musicians, and
architects wanted to get away from the
complexity of the Baroque period and
replicate the clean, uncluttered style of
Classical Greece.

• This period is called Classical because

of that desire to resemble the works of
the ancient Greeks.
 Signs of the Times
• Middle class was
learning to fight for
their rights

• This was the time of

the American and
French revolutions

Print by famed French "Art Deco" artist Louis Icart

5
 The Classical Period of Western music
followed the Baroque period. Lasting a
relatively short period of time, (70 years)
the dates of the Classical period are
approximately 1750 to 1820.
 MUSIC OF THE CLASSICAL PERIOD
(1750-1820)
• Also called “AGE OF REASON”.
• Dominated by the aristocracy, as patrons of
musicians and artists.
• Instrumental music was patronized primarily
by the nobility.
• French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars
occurred.
• American Declaration of Independence in
1776 and The American Revolution.
oThe term “classical” denotes conformity
with the principles and characteristics of
ancient GREECE and ROMAN literature and art
which is formal, elegant, simple, freed and
dignified.
oHarmony and Texture are homophonic in
general.
oThe Dynamics of loud and soft were clearly
shown through the extensive use of
crescendo and diminuendo.
oA style of broken chord accompaniment
called ALBERTI BASS was practiced.
 The Piano
• Hammered strings

• Louder than
harpsichord

• Pedals
Baroque vs. Classical Period Music
Despite the fact that the music of these two periods
of musical history are characterized by distinct differences
in musical style, 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.
That said, some of the general differences between
Baroque and Classical period music are detailed
on the following slides.
 Baroque vs. Classical
Period Music
1. 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)
 Painting of
Ludwig van Beethoven
composing at the
piano

During the Classical period, composers began using the

piano as their primary tool to aid them
in composing music.
2. The Orchestra Is Standardized in the Classical
Period

The idea of an orchestra as a musical ensemble was first

established during the Baroque Period,
but not yet standardized.
During the Classical Period, the size of the orchestra
increased and by the end of the Classical period, the
instruments 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
Instruments used in Classical
Period
Modern Flute
Clarinet
Oboe
Basoon
French Horn
Valved Trumpet
Trombone
Violin
Cello
Double Bass
Viola
Timpani
Piano
3. 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.
4. Opera was still 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.
5. 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 the phrasing and musical
structure became very important during the Classical
period.
6. 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.
 Some of the best known composers from
this period are Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
and Ludwig van Beethoven, through other
notable names include Muzio Clementi,
Joseph Haydn, Johann Ladislaus Dussek,
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, and Christoph
Willibald.
 Franz Joseph Haydn

• Is one of the most

prominent composers of
the Classical Period.
• His life is described as a
“rags-to-riches” story.
• His music reflects his
character and
personality: mainly calm,
balanced, serious but
with touches of humor.
 Franz Joseph Haydn

• He was able to compose

over 100 symphonies and
developed them into long
forms for a large
orchestra.
• “Father of the Symphony”.
• His works:
- Surprise Symphony
- The Clock
- The Military
1. Surprise Symphony
2. The Clock
3. Military
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• Is a child prodigy and the
most amazing genius in
musical history.
- Age 5: playing violin and
harpsichord
- Age 6: recognized as an
exceptional pianist.
- Age 7: already composing
excellent music.
- Age 13: written sonatas,
concertos, symphonies,
religious works, operas and
operettas.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

• He experimented in all
kinds of music and
composed over 700
works.
• Unfortunately, due to
mismanaged finances he
lived his life in poverty and
died young, and was
buried in an unknown
grave.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

• His works:
- The Marriage of Figaro
- Don Giovanni
- The Magic Flute
- Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
- Piano Sonata no.11 in A
major (“Rondo”) 3rd mov.
1. The Marriage of Figaro
2. Don Giovanni
3. The Magic Flute
4. Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
5. Piano Sonata no.11 in A
rd
major (“Rondo”) 3 mov.
 Ludwig Von Beethoven

• Born in Bonn, Germany to

a family of musicians and
studied music at an early
age.
• He was the composer who
bridged the late Classical
Era and the Romantic Era.
• Talented pianist and
composer.
 Ludwig Von Beethoven
• His works:
- Missa Solemnis
- Fidelio
- Symphony no.3 (Eroica)
- Symphony no.5,
Op.67,Cm
- Symphony no.6 (Pastoral)
- Symphony no.9 (Choral)
- Piano Sonata no.14 in C#
Minor (Moonlight Sonata)
- Fur Elise
 Ludwig Von Beethoven

He began to go deaf in
1796 but continued
composing through the
help of an assistant and
hearing gadget.
1. Missa Solemnis
2. Symphony no.5, Op.67,Cm
3. Piano Sonata no.14 in C#
Minor (Moonlight Sonata)
4. Fur Elise
 COMPOSERS

Haydn Mozart Beethoven

-104 symphonies
-60 piano sonatas
-68 string quartets
- Some masses and oratories
-25 operas (10 lost )
-41 symphonies
-18 piano sonatas
- Hundreds of String quartets
-21 piano concertos
- Some masses and religious
music
-20 operas
-9 symphonies
-32 piano sonatas
- Some String quartets
-5 piano concertos
- Some masses and religious
music
-1 opera : “Fidelio”
 The Center of the Music World

• Vienna
• Was one of the centers of music in Europe during the
classical period and Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven all
worked there
• Aristocrats from all over the world spent the winter in
Vienna and they often brought their musicians to
entertain them
• Music was an important part of life in the court and
having a good orchestra was a sign of prestige

70
1. SONATA
- A multi-movement work for solo
instrument.
- It came from the word “sonare”
which means “to make a sound”.
This term is applied to a variety of
works for a solo instrument such as
keyboard or violin.
Movements of Sonata
1st Movement:
ALLEGRO – fast movement
2nd Movement:
ANDANTE – slow movement
3rd Movement:
MINUET – It is in the three-four
time in a moderate or fast
tempo.
 Example:
Sonata no.16 in C Major K545
by W.A. Mozart
1st Movement: ALLEGRO
2nd Movement: ANDANTE
3rd Movement: MINUET
SONATA ALLEGRO
- The most important form that
developed during the classical era
which consists of three sections.
 Three sections:
1. Exposition – the first part of a
composition in sonata form that
introduces the theme.
2. Development – is the middle
part of the sonata-allegro form
wherein themes are being
developed.
3. Recapitulation – repeats the
theme as they first emerge in the
opening exposition.
 Example:
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik by
W.A. Mozart
2. CONCERTO
- Is a multi-movement work designed
for an instrumental soloist and
orchestra.
- It is a classical form of music
intended primarily to emphasize the
individuality of the solo instrument
and to exhibit the virtuosity and
interpretative abilities of the
performer.
 Three movements:
1. Fast – sonata allegro form with
expositions of the orchestra and
then by the soloist.
2. Slow – has more ornamentation
than the first movement.
3. Fast – Finale: usually in a form
of rondo.
3. SYMPHONY
- Is a multi-movement work for
orchestra.
- The “symphony” is derived from the
word “sinfonia” which literally
means “ a harmonious sounding
together”.
- It is a classical music for the whole
orchestra, generally in four
movements.
 Four movements:
1. Fast – sonata allegro form
2. Slow – gentle, lyrical
3. Medium/ Fast – uses a dance
form
4. Fast – Typically rondo or sonata
form
The Symphonic
Orchestra
4. CLASSICAL OPERA
- Opera is a drama set to music where
singers and musicians perform in a
theatrical setting.
Two Styles of Opera
1. Opera Seria (serious opera) – usually
implies heroic or tragic drama that
employs mythological characters,
which was inherited from the
Baroque period.
Ex. Idomeneo by Mozart
2. Opera Buffa (comic opera) – from
Italy made use of everyday characters
and situations, and typically employed
spoken dialogues, spiced with gags,
naughty humor and social satire.
Ex. – The Marriage of Figaro
- Don Giovanni
- The Magic Flute
 The Opera
The type of opera audiences preferred during this period was the comic opera.
Also known as light opera, this type of opera often tackles light, not so delicate subject
matter where the ending often has a happy resolution. The term opera usually implies a
heroic or tragic drama. This was formerly called opera seria (serious opera) or grand
opera. These kind of opera employs mythological characters.
COMPARISON between BAROQUE
and CLASSICAL OPERA
Baroque Opera
•Solemnity.
•Musical virtuosity.
•Boring plots.
•Stereotyped characters.
•Intended for the aristocracy
and nobility
Classical Opera
•Sense of humor.
•Musical and scenical
simplicity.
•Entertaining plots.
•Close and believable
characters.
•Intended for the bourgeois
audience.
Department of Education
Region IV – A CALABARZON
Division of Laguna
District of Nagcarlan-RIzal

TALANGAN INTEGRATED
NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Talangan, Nagcarlan, Laguna

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