CHARACTERISTICS AND

INSTRUMENTS
OF THE CLASSICAL PERIOD

Zeus and Minerva

The pictures show part of Greek and

Romans classics Zeus and Minerva. The Greek mythology
is the king of the gods,
The ruler of Mount Olympus, and god of the sky and
thunder.Minerva was a Roman goddess of crafts, poetry,
and wisdom and is known as the inventor of music.
As part of Greek and Roman classics, they are
considered as work of enduring excellences in literature.

When did the Classical Period in Western take place?

The Classical period in Western music occurred from
about 1750 to 1825.There is considerable overlap at both
ends with preceding and following periods, as is true for
all musical eras.
What were the development prior to the Classical
Period?
In the middle of the 18th century, Europe began to
move to a new style in architecture, and the arts
generally, known as Classicism.
The new style was also pushed forward by changes in
the economic order and in social structure of the line. As
the 18th century progressed, the nobility more and more
became the primary patrons of instrumental music and
there was a rise in the public taste for comic opera. This
led to changes in the way music was performed, the most
crucial of which was the move to standardize
instrumental groups.

Who are the best known Classical composers?

Some of the best composers from this period
are Wolgfang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig
Van Beethoven, through other notable names
include Muzio Clemente, Joseph Haydn,
Johann Ladislaus Dussek, Carl Phillip
Emanuel Bach, and Cristoph Willibald Gluck.
There are transitional composers: Beethoven is
also regarded either as a romantic composer or a
composer who was part of the transition to the
Romantic; Franz Schubert is also a transitional
figure. The period is sometimes referred
to as Viennese Classic since Mozart, Haydn,
Beethoven, and Schubert all worked at some time
in Vienna.

How does Classicism incorporate both

old and new styles?
Classicism incorporate features of
both and old style and new style:
OLD
FEATURES

NEW STYLE
FEATURES

-still tightly-linked to the -favored clearer divisions

court culture and
absolutism.

between parts

-with its formality and emphasis

on order and hierarchy

-brighter contrast and colors

-simplicity rather than
complexity

The main characteristics of music in the Classical

Period are the following:
Music became lighter, clearer in texture, and less complicated

compared with Baroque music; mainly homophonic melody above

chordal accompaniment .
Emphasis was given on grace and beauty melody and form,
proportion and balance, moderation and control.
There was an increase in variety and contrast within a piece of
keys, melodies, rhythms, and dynamics; frequent changes of mood
and timbre.
Melodies tend to be shorter than those of the Baroque, with clearcut phrases and clearly marked cadences.
Orchestra increase in size and range.
The harpsichord was replaced by the piano (fortepiano): early piano
music was thinnish in texture, often with Albeti bass
accompaniment, but later became richer, more sonorous and
powerful.

 Importance was given to instrumental music sonata, trio, string

quartet, symphony, concerto, serenade, and divertimento.

Sonata from developed and became the most important design.

During the Classical period, music was viewed as

an art with permanent rather than short-lived value.
o Greater stability or repose
o Clarity
o Balance
o Self-reliance
o Objectiveness
o Traditionalism

What were the developments and changes in

music during Classical Period?
1.
2.
3.
4.

5.

Baroque polyphony was no longer the focus and gave way to

homophony.
The playing of chords that became necessary led to the
development of counterpoint and harmony.
Standardizing of instruments groups
Reduction in the importance of bass continuo as bass
continuo was replaced by harmonic aspects often played by
several instruments.
Focus on a single melodic line with accompaniment has
resulted to emphasis on dynamics and phrasing.

The simplification of texture resulted to these effects:

a) Instrumental detail became more important.
b) Making use of characteristics rhythms, such as attentiongetting opening fanfares, the funeral march rhythm, or the
minuet genre
c) More emphasis on establishing and unifying the tone of a
single movement.
This also led to the Classical styles gradual breaking away from
the baroque style of making each movement of music
devoted to a single affect (mood or emotion).
d) Opposition of major and minor modes
e) Strident rhythmic themes
f) More song-like themes
g) Making movement between different harmonic areas

Instruments of the Classical Period

Fortepiano:Used from 16th till 18th century, these fortepianos
were equipped with keyboards which were extensively used in
Italy. Originally with four octaves as its range, fortepiano in
succeeding years expanded its range till 5 and 6 octaves.
Fortepianos were capable to vary their sound on each note as
the players touch was quite important. They would produce
smooth and softer tone as compared to modern day pianos.
Chalumeau:It is a wooden instrument which gained popularity
in the classical era. Similar to flutes, Chalumeau had a special
mouthpiece and a set of throat keys which would control the
notes. This stopped pipe, single-reed windblown instrument
did not over blow like the clarinet. Musical orchestras and
chamber music were the proud users of this Chalumeau which
was used with the clarinet. The quality of the wood was of
utmost importance to make a chalumeau sound its
characteristic.

Ophicleide:This French instrument used brass-keys to

manipulate the air blown in to it. Its cup-shaped mouthpiece with
9-12 keys was mainly used in military bands. With 3 octave range,
the Ophicleide gave same tone like the euphonium. During the
renaissance period, Ophicleide played an important role for those
who used music as a source of communication.
Basset horn:This curve horn shaped musical piece was known
for its low bass pitches. Primarily a German instrument, France
and Italy also used it as a versatile wind instrument. It is a larger
instrument as compared to the clarinet and has a bend just after
the mouthpiece as well as the additional keys made it a popular
instrument in the 18th century period.
Xylophones:Not core European instruments, Xylophones were
part of the Asian and African musical era. This musical instrument
was adapted and widely used in the operas and other musical
form in the era of renaissance. Tuned wooden bars were arranged
in a specific manner and were played using a mallet. This
orchestral instrument produces higher pitch notes.

Thank you and God bless

HOPE you learned something.

Prepared by:
Monquiales, Angelie D.
Casad, Sailyn