Classical
As implied by the term 'classical', the music of this period looked to the art and philosophy of Ancient Greece and Rome - to the ideals of balance, proportion and disciplined expression. The late Baroque style was polyphonically complex ornamental and rich in its melodies. Composers of the Classical era deviated from the evolution of their predecessors - their music had a considerably simpler texture. It is something of an irony that two of J.S. Bach's children, Carl Philipp Emanuel (C.P.E.) a Johann Christian (J.C.), were among the leaders of the new Classical movement. Their father was the greatest figure in the Baroque style and thanks to the new era of his children, he became old-fashioned.
Homophony - music where the melody and accompaniment are clearly distinct - was the main style during the classical era; new genres were discovered that completed the transformation from the Baroque era to the Classical. The sonata was the most important of these, as well as the most developed. Although Baroque composers also wrote sonatas, the Classical style of sonata is completely distinct.
The foundation of the Classical sonatas is conflict - for instance between two themes of contrasting character. The contrast during the performance of the sonata increases, until it is finally "resolved." The sonata allowed composers to give solely instrumental pieces a dramatic character. All of the main instrumental forms of the Classical era, the quartet, symphony,and concerto, were based on the dramatic structure of the sonata.
Homophony - music where the melody and accompaniment are clearly distinct - was the main style during the classical era; new genres were discovered that completed the transformation from the Baroque era to the Classical. The sonata was the most important of these, as well as the most developed. Although Baroque composers also wrote sonatas, the Classical style of sonata is completely distinct.
The foundation of the Classical sonatas is conflict - for instance between two themes of contrasting character. The contrast during the performance of the sonata increases, until it is finally "resolved." The sonata allowed composers to give solely instrumental pieces a dramatic character. All of the main instrumental forms of the Classical era, the quartet, symphony,and concerto, were based on the dramatic structure of the sonata.
Important Composers
Carl Philipp Emanuel (C.P.E.) Bach (1714 - 1788)
Christoph Willibald Gluck (1714 - 1787)
Johann Christian (J.C.) Bach (1735 - 1782)
Franz Joseph Haydn (1732 - 1809)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 - 1791)
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827)
Carl Philipp Emanuel (C.P.E.) Bach (1714 - 1788)
Christoph Willibald Gluck (1714 - 1787)
Johann Christian (J.C.) Bach (1735 - 1782)
Franz Joseph Haydn (1732 - 1809)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 - 1791)
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827)