Table of Contents
What influence did the middle class have during the classical period?
The Classical period is known as the “age of enlightenment” as the power shifted from the aristocracy and the church to the middle class. During this period, the appreciation of music was no longer limited to the rich and powerful. Those belonging to the middle class became patrons of music as well.
What was the most significant genre in the classical period and why?
Importance was given to instrumental music—the main kinds were sonata, trio, string quartet, symphony, concerto, serenade and divertimento. Sonata form developed and became the most important form.
What did the typical orchestra of the classical?
What did the typical orchestra of the classical period consist of? strings, woodwinds, horns, trumpets, and timpani.
What is the mood of classical period?
Classical music used formality and emphasis on order and hierarchy, and a “clearer”, “cleaner” style that used clearer divisions between parts (notably a clear, single melody accompanied by chords), brighter contrasts and “tone colors” (achieved by the use of dynamic changes and modulations to more keys).
What affect did the growing middle class have on music?
Classical music was listened to by the middle class because it was easier to understand. As the population of the middle class grew and became well respected, the desire for more classical music and musicians increased as well. Some people in the middle class even developed skills for particular instruments.
How did the rise of the middle class during the Baroque period change what composers choose to produce?
With the change in social power of the middle class also came the change of the role of the musical composer, which then changed they style of music being created. In the Baroque era composers were looked at as servants of the elite, and were required to only create music that the aristocrats wanted to hear.
What ideals are at the center of Classical Period music?
Classical values of rationalism, universality, cosmopolitism, and elegance were the artistic inspirations for Classical Era music. These Classical ideals manifested themselves in music using: Homophonic melodies to create clean, simple, texture audiences could connect with.
What are the 3 most important genres during the Classical Period?
The concerto, opera, and sonata are all examples of genres that have their origins in the Baroque period, but continue to develop and evolve in the classical era. Two new genres make their debut here in the 18th century, namely the symphony and the string quartet.
Why is the classical period significant?
The name classical is applied to the period because in art and literature, there was keen interest in, admiration for, and emulation of the classical artistic and literary heritage of Greece and Rome. This was the first era in music history in which public concerts became an important part of the musical scene.
What ideals are at the center of classical period music?
What are the characteristics of the classical period?
The Classical period
- an emphasis on elegance and balance.
- short well-balanced melodies and clear-cut question and answer phrases.
- mainly simple diatonic harmony.
- mainly homophonic textures (melody plus accompaniment) but with some use of counterpoint (where two or more melodic lines are combined)
- use of contrasting moods.