Joseph Haydn playing quartets
The music of this time period was also influenced by society and culture as well as ancient civilizations. The time period witnessed many changes in both the social structure and the economy. This meant that music was increasingly accessible to more individuals. Concert halls, opera houses, and other venues drew in crowds of individuals. Even the more “cultured” music, therefore, was available to individuals in the middle class if they wished to be exposed to it. Public concerts were held and the printing of musical scores increased dramatically, allowing a wider range of people to have access to and be able to play the music being produced. With more financial support from the middle classes, composers were also able to write a wider variety of music.
In addition, the Classical period of music overlaps what is known as the Age of Enlightenment or the Age of Reason. At the core of this philosophical and cultural movement was a questioning of traditional values and laws and an increased interest in science and reason. This philosophy would have a great impact on the political order of the time, as several important revolutions, including the French Revolution and the American Revolution, challenged the right of nobility rule. These revolutions and other aspects of the movement often sought greater equality in society, with the view that everyone should have a say in government, rather than just a few.
Characteristics of Music from the Classical Period
When speaking of the Classical period, scholars will often refer to the Viennese School (sometimes called the First Viennese School). They are not actually referring to a brick and mortar school, but to the music that came out of the city of Vienna, Austria, during this time period. Vienna was a hotbed of music at this time and musicians from all over Europe came to the city to create and play music. One of the draws for many musicians, in addition to the inspiration of working with other artists, was the large number of wealthy patrons who made Vienna their home. The city became a sort of melting pot of ideas and experiments with music, as composers shared pieces, discussed music, and even composed with each other. The major composers of the period, including Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven, all visited or lived in Vienna for at least some period of their lives. When scholars refer to the Viennese School, they are referring, then, to these major composers and the explosion of creativity and innovation in music that developed.
To understand the development and categorization of music from the Classical period, we need to place the music of the time period between the music that came before and the music that came after. The Baroque period, which occurred before the Classical period, was often characterized by very elaborate music. Composers used a high degree of ornamentation and polyphony (playing several melodies at once) in the music. In the Classical period, composers sought to return to more “down to earth” music. Rather than the complex music of the Baroque period, musicians in the Classical period strove to create beauty in the music through simplicity and balance. The result was music that was pleasing to the ear, which is one reason it has remained popular through modern times.