7. What is the classical period?
The classical period describes a phase of
European culture in general, which often refers to
the style of music typical of this era, but which can
also include literature, architecture and the plastic
arts, among other things. This movement,
prevalent in the 18th century, strongly emphasized
clarity, harmony, and symmetry instead of the
overcomplexity characteristic of the baroque.
15. Mozart (1756-1791)
Wolfgang Amadeus
Mozart, who wrote over
600 pieces of music,
was the preeminent
composer of the
classical era, whose
influence is so far-
reaching that his name
has become associated
with classical music in
general. He refined
classical era music to
perfection.
16. Haydn (1732-1809)
Josef Haydn was
another important
compser and good
friend of Mozart. His
music tends to be
lighter in tone and
more comical than
Mozart's, whose
music featured quick
shifts between light
and darkers tones.
17. Beethoven (1771-1827)
Beethoven, like Mozart, was
another composer of
magnificent importance. He
was also a crucial figure in
the transition between
classical and romantic music.
While much of his music still
retains the the structure of
classical era music, he left
classical music a fiery and
passionate spirit which
threatened to disrupt the
orderly structure of high
classicism.
