UNIT 4.

THE CLASSICAL PERIOD

This period goes from 1750 to 1820 and is known like the Age of
Enlightenment, a movement that promote the equality and well-being of
a greater part of the population through education and knowledge,
making the bourgeoisie to broke the power of absolute monarchies.
Also, in this period was born the neoclassical style, an art that returned to
the balance of classical art and that the first characteristic was the beauty
of symmetry and balance.
The function of music was to be an entertainment for people with money.
The centre of the music was Viena, in Germany

MUSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
- The harmony was clean and sober and the rhythm was marked and
easy to follow.
- The melody was clear and catchy and it was repeating a lot.
- Instrumental music was:
- Sonata*. Is composing for a solo or a duet.
- Symphony. Is composing for an orchestra.
- Concerto. Is composing for an orchestra and a soloist.
- Quartet. Is composing for four strings.
The most known composers of this period were Mozart, Haydn and
Beethoven.
- Instruments of an orchestra:
- String: double basses, violins, violas and cellos.
- Woodwind: flutes, clarinets, oboes and bassoons.
- Brass: trombone, trumpets and French horns.
- Percussion: timpani.
 *Sonata form has three parts:
- Exposition of two themes. The first with a lot of personality and
the second less powerful.
- Development of the two themes with creative variations.
- Recapitulation, a conclusion of theme A and B with a coda to
conclude the movement.

- Symphonies and concertos’ movements:

- First movement: sonata form (exposition, development and
recapitulation)
- Second movement: ternary form (ABA)
- Third movement: minuet in symphonies
- Fourth movement: rondo (ABACADA)