Lesson 1: The Classical Era Introduction

Introduction

'Music should strike fire from the heart of man,
and bring tears from the eyes of woman.'
-Ludwig von Beethoven.

The Classical era (also known as the Classic era) is generally understood to be the time period when the 'classic' works of the standard repertory were composed. The period includes the works of composers such as Haydn, Beethoven, and Mozart. Although the classical era was relatively short lived (from 1750 to 1830), the music of these three composers showed a number of changes from the Baroque period. While this time period is generally separated from the periods of classical music before and after, there is some discussion about whether the period is really a distinct period of music. Some have argued that while the music of the major composers of the time (Beethoven, Mozart, and so on) represented a change from the earlier period, not all composers at this time used their style of music.

The terminology is also somewhat confusing as we often refer to music from the sixteenth through nineteenth centuries as classical music. This general use of the term “classical” to define music, then, is connected to but separate from the specific use of “Classical” to define the music of this particular time period. The general labeling of music as “classical” may indicate the influence and importance of the composers who produced new pieces during this period from 1750 to 1830. Individuals such as Beethoven and Mozart remain composers that are well-known and popular today, although their music was produced many years ago.

The notion that the music from the mid-eighteenth to the early nineteenth centuries comprised a separate era of music is supported by several aspects. First, many of the composers and musicians at this time were interested in the ancient civilizations and the art that they produced, including music. While composers may not have known what ancient music sounded like, they did know about classical architecture, sculpture, and other pieces of art. A number of discoveries about ancient civilizations were made during the time period, including the unearthing of the ancient city of Pompeii, which especially heightened interest. Artists in many different areas used these ancient civilizations as inspiration. The era is also important because of the new musical forms, such as the sonata and symphony, which would develop and rise to prominence. Later musical scholars believed that the music of the Classical period represented a shift between Baroque music and Romantic music that was clearly transitional, but also important in its own right.