MUSIC OF THE CLASSICAL PERIOD
and eventually became a
At the maturity of the Baroque Era,
Rococo, a new music style evident in keyboard
and orchestral music was developed. It is also
called pre – classical style that is homophonic,
light in texture and melodic. Despite of its
presence of melodic decoration and
ornamentation, it has lack of depth. It was lasted
from 1775 to 1825.
CLASSICAL MUSIC
The term “classical” refers to the period
that took place roughly from 1750 to 1820,
Central Europe in the mid – 18th century was
going through a time of change. Their wealth
(Salzburg, Vienna and Prague) allowed them to
hire artists and musicians for purposes of
amusement, inspiration and entertainment.
Classical music may be described as
having contrasts in mood like a sudden or
gradual change in expression from joy to
depression. Classical composers communicated
these expressions of conflict and contrast with
unity and logic.
CLASSIC MUSIC ELEMENTS
Homophonic texture, harmony and contrasts
in mood
Melody Formal and simple but
elegant
Dynamics Expressed through the wide
use of crescendo and
decrescendo
Rhythm Defined and regular
MAJOR COMPOSERS DURING THE
CLASSICAL PERIOD
1. FRANZ JOSEPH HADYN (1732 –
1809)
 Austrian music composer
 One of the most prominent
composers of the classical
period
 His life is described as a “rags-
to-riches” story. He came from
a poor family and his music led
to his rise in social status.
 He was hired by rich patrons
musical director for the
Esterhazy (the richest and most
powerful of the Hungarian
noble families.
 His music reflects his character
and personality: mainly calm,
balanced, serious but with
touches of humor.
 He was able to compose over
100 symphonies and developed
them into long forms for a large
orchestra.
 He was named as “Father of the
Symphony”.
 Most of his symphonies have
nicknames such as the: “surprise
symphony”, “the clock”, “the
military”
2. WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART
(1756-1791)
 He is a child prodigy and the
most amazing genius in musical
history.
 He experimented in all kinds of
music and composed over 700
works.
 He composed wonderful
concertos, symphonies and
opera such as “The Marriage of
Figaro” (1786), “Don Giovanni”
(1789) and “The Magic Flute”
which became popular.
 Other known works: Eine
Kleine Nachumusikm
Symphony no. 40 in G major
and Sonata no. 11 in A major
K311.
3. LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770
– 1827)
 German music composer
 He was the composer who
bridged the late classical era and
early romantic era.
 His famous compositions
include 32 piano sonatas, 21 set
of variations, 9 symphonies, 5
concertos for piano, 16 string
quartets and choral music.
  His works include the “missa
solemnis” (1818 – 1823) and
opera “fidelio” (1805).
 His known symphonies are:
symphony no. 3 (eroica), no. 5,
bo. 6 (pastoral), no.9 (choral),
which adds voices to the
orchestra.
 Some of his famous
compositions were made when
he was deaf.
In the middle of the 18th century, Europe
began to move toward a new style in
architecture, literature and the arts, known as
classicism. It was also pushed forward by
changes in the economic order and in social
structure. Instrumental music was patronized
primarily by the nobility.
SONATA
 A multi – movement work for solo
instrument, sonata 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 Allergo – fast movement
Andante, Largo – Slow
2nd Movement tempo (most lyrical and
emotional)
Minuet – it is in three –
3rd Movement four time and in a
moderate or fast tempo
Sonato Allergo Form
 The most important form that developed
during the classical era consists of (3)
three sections: exposition, development
and recapitulation
Sections of Sonata Allergo Form
The first part of a
Exposition composition in sonata form
that introduces the theme
Development It is the middle part of the
sonata – allegro form
wherein themes are being
developed
It repeats the theme as they
Recapitulatio
first emerge in the opening
n
exposition
CONCRETO
 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.
 The solo instruments in classical
concertos include violin, cello, clarinet,
bassoon, trumpet, horn and piano
 A concerto has three movements: fast,
slow and fast.
Movements of Concerto
Fast: sonata – allegro
form with expositions of
1st Movement
the orchestra and then by
the soloist
Slow: has more
2nd Movement ornamentation than first
movement
Fast: finale – usually in a
form of rondo, resembling
3rd Movement the last movement of the
symphony and usually a
short cadenza is used
SYMPHONY
 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.
Movements of the Symphony
Fast: Sonata – allegro
1st Movement
form
Slow: Gentle, lyrical –
2nd Movement typical ABA form or
theme and variation
3 Movement Medium/Fast: uses a
rd
 dance form (minuet or
scherzo)
Fast: Typically rondo or
4th Movement
sonata form

As the 18th century progressed,

instrumental music was patronized primarily by
the nobility which led to the rise of public taste
for “comic opera”

The music was mostly of a simple yet

pleasant character, while the singing was highly
flexible and sensitive and could freely express
emotion through melody.

OPERA
 A drama set to music where singers and
musicians perform in a theatrical setting.

Styles of Opera
OPERA SERIA
 Serious opera
 Usually implies heroic or tragic drama
that employs mythological characters,
which was inherited from the Baroque
period
 Idomeneo (by Mozart) is an example of
opera seria.

OPERA BUFFA
 Comic opera
 From Italy made use of everyday
characters and situations and typically
employed spoken dialogues, lengthy
arias and was spiced with sight gags,
naughty humor and social satire.
 “The Marriage of Figaro”, “Don
Giovanni” and “The Magic Flute” are
examples of popular Opera Buffa by
Mozart.