During the Classical period from 1750-1800: - Music was characterized by order, balance, and clarity in both form and content, reflecting Enlightenment ideals. - Major composers like Haydn and Mozart helped establish forms like the sonata that became central to the period. - Patronage shifted from aristocratic courts to the growing middle class and public concerts as musical tastes spread more widely in society.

1. PRELUDE 4
Music as Order and Logic
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Order, objectivity, and proportion
European aristocratic sovereigns
American Revolution (1775–83)
French Revolution (1789–99)
Advances in science and ideas
Industrial Revolution
Age of Reason
Prelude 4: Music as Order and Logic

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Vienna-hub of the music
world
Former seat of Holy Roman
Empire
Bustling cultural &
commercial center
4th largest city in Europe
Many aristocrats are
musicians/performers
Class barriers broken down
by musical tastes
The Classical Period

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The Classical Era: Overview (1750 - 1800)
Two leading composers: Haydn & Mozart
Others include CPE Bach, JC Bach
“classical”--refers to
Greek and Roman antiquity
Balance, clarity, naturalness (vs. ornamentation,
virtuosity, expressive extremes of Baroque Era)
1720-1790--Age of Enlightenment--critical thinking and
reasoned discussion important
Gallant style, rococo

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Classicism and Enlightenment Culture (c. 1750–1825), Part 1
I. Classicism and Enlightenment Culture (c. 1750–1825)
A. Later 1700s: Classical ideals combined with philosophical and
intellectual movement called Enlightenment
1. artists, musicians: works characterized by clarity and regularity of
structure, “natural simplicity”
B. Rule of strong aristocratic sovereigns; hereditary right
1. Louis XV, Frederick the Great, Maria Theresa, Catherine the Great

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Classicism and Enlightenment Culture (c. 1750–1825), Part 2

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Classicism and Enlightenment Culture (c. 1750–1825), Part 3
C. Industrial Revolution: new economic power
1. significant advances in science, important inventions
2. intellectual life, first publication of encyclopedias
D. Age of Reason/Enlightenment
1. social and political issues: centrality of reason and science
2. advocates for rising middle class
3. revolutionary upheavals, end of the century

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Classicism and Enlightenment Culture (c. 1750–1825), Part 4

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Classicism and Enlightenment Culture (c. 1750–1825), Part 5
E. Ancient Greeks and Romans idealized
1. architecture, fine arts: classical revival
2. values of order and reason
3. unity and proportions revered
F. 1760s, Romantic thought in literature
1. Jean-Jacques Rousseau, French philosopher, “father of
Romanticism”
2. Sturm und Drang (storm and stress), literary movement in
Germany

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Elements of Classical Style, Part 1
II. Elements of Classical Style
A. Characterized by music of Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and
Schubert
1. age of musical experimentation
a. explore possibilities of major-minor system
b. musicians to perfect large-scale instrumental form
(sonata form)

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Elements of Classical Style, Part 2
B. Viennese Classical style
1. international style; perfect manifestation of musical
logic
2. elegant, lyrical melodies
a. symmetrical four-bar phrases, clear-cut cadences
b. clarity: repetition, sequence; balanced structure
3. diatonic harmonies; homophonic texture
4. basic meters, steady tempos
5. frequent use of folk and popular elements

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Elements of Classical Style, Part 3

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Composers worked during a period of violent political &
social upheaval
Strongly affected by changes in society
Economical improvements
Middle class prospered & sought aristocratic luxuries
Had great influence on music
• Townspeople organized concerts, flourished in 2nd half of 18th
century
• Children deserved music lessons
• Demand for printed music, instruments, etc. increased
The Patronage System:
From Aristocracy to Public

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The Patronage System, Part 1
III. The Patronage System
A. Sponsorship of aristocracy
1. palace: center of musical life
a. arts: necessary adornment of life
b. steady demand for new works
2. economic security and social framework for composers

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The Patronage System, Part 2

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The Patronage System, Part 3
B. Opportunities for women
1. Italy, France: prominence in opera and court ballet
2. court instrumentalists, music teachers to the nobility
3. performances at home, aristocratic salons, and at court
4. Maria Anna Mozart (Nannerl) (1751–1829): Mozart’s
sister, toured extensively with Mozart
5. Maria Theresia von Paradis (1759–1824): friend of
Mozart, blind composer, extended European tour

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The Patronage System, Part 4

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The Patronage System, Part 5
D. From palace to concert hall
1. rise of the public concert; new performance venues
2. Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven: conducted and
performed their own works
a. public flocked to hear latest works
3. informed amateurs: performance and listening
4. instrumental music: dialogue and communication
a. connection between composer-genius and receptive
listener

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The Patronage System, Part 6

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Language should be universal
Not limited by natural boundaries
Noble & entertaining
Expressive & natural
Free of needless technical complications
Please any normal sensitive listener
“Classical” Music: Ideal Music
Classical thought focuses on the objective vs. the subjective
Term borrowed from Art History-stress on balance and clarity
of structure

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The Classical Era: Changes from Baroque Era
General --restrained, balanced, and stable; clear
musical ideas; predictable
Performance Media--symphony orchestra, chamber
orchestra and ensembles, soloists opera companies
Rhythm-- simple, regular rhythms with steady beat;
steady tempos
Dynamic Expression--extremes of dynamics not used

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The Classical Era: Changes from Baroque Era
Melodies--less complex, more tuneful, more balanced
Phrasing--more symmetrical; based on dance rhythms
Texture--more often homophonic; occasional
polyphony
Themes--multiple themes vs. single theme
Instruments--equal importance with voice

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 Contrast of mood: Wider emotional range, not
limited to one “mood” per piece
 The End of the Basso Continuo
 Abandoned, no need for improvised
accompaniment, More music written for
amateurs, Composers had more control,
could specify correct accompaniment
The Classical Era: Changes from the Baroque Era

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 Forms
 Detailed forms of single movements
 binary & ternary forms, sonata-allegro,
rondo, minuet & trio, theme & variations
 Large forms in several movements
 Symphony, concerto, sonata, string
trio/quartet, opera, oratorios, Masses
The Classical Era: Changes from the Baroque Era

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Credits
This concludes the Lecture PowerPoint presentation for “The Enjoyment of Music, 4th Edition, Prelude 4: Music as Order and
Logic”
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