The Classical Period

The Classical Period

The classical period
The main characteristics:
Classical is lighter, and has a clearer texture in the way it is played, and is less complex than baroque music. It is mainly homophonic (means when to notes have the same sound), and one of the more popular features/elements was the trill (described as a ‘fluttery’ sound). A large variety of keys, melodies and dynamics are used (e.g. crescendo and diminuendo). The melodies tended to be shorter than baroque melodies. The average orchestra increased in size and range of instrument, the most important and popular one being the piano.

Elements:
On the topic of the elements of the classical period in music, one looks at the size of the orchestra, which has increased in size since the baroque period, the styles of music used e.g. homophony, trills etc and there was a rise in public interest for the comic opera.

The main composers:
The most popular composers during the classical period were: Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Franz Schubert. Ludwig Van Beethoven was also regarded to as a romantic composer, and Franz Schubert is also something of a transitional figure.

Form/Structure:
Many different changes to the form and structure took place in the classical period. The first movement was known as the sonata form which evolved a great deal. Sonata form was the basic structure in which composers wrote instrumental music. Other forms are: The symphony - It was an orchestral composition arranged in three movements (fast-slow-fast) and chambers - String quartets were the most popular chamber medium of the Classical era. They were made up of one cello, two violins, and a viola. They were written in 4 movements, using the Classical sonata form.

Music Instrumentation:
The instruments most popular instruments used in the classical orchestra were: Violins, Flutes, Trumpets, Cellos, Clarinets and other related instruments. The string and woodwind were the most popular family,...