Periods of Classical Music

Baroque and Classical

Classical Music is art music rooted in the traditions of Western Music.

Baroque

1600 - 1750

The Baroque Period• Instrumental music became dominant in the Baroque,

and most of the major music forms we know of today were defined.

• Counterpoint was one of the major forces in both the instrumental and the vocal music of the period; in counterpoint two melodies that were equally beautiful but had different rhythms could be played or sung at the same time and sound good together.– Example: Bach Counterpoint

• Although a strong religious musical tradition continued, secular music came to be nearly as common.

• Much of Baroque music was designed for improvisation.

Notable Events

• The idea of the modern orchestra was born, along with opera, the concerto, sonata, and cantata, as well as other forms.

• Extensive ornamentation was prominent. • The viol of the Renaissance was replaced

with the violin, viola, and cello, and later the contrabass may have been added.

InstrumentsThe fortepiano (a precursor to the piano), the

chalumeau (precursor to the clarinet), and eventually the clarinet, and bassoon were

invented.

Chalumeau

Clarinet1760

Baroque Bassoon& Modern Bassoon. >

Fortepiano

The Recorder

• Recorders have been in use since before the Renaissnace period, when they gained great popularity.

• In the Baroque period the recorder underwent some changes to make the tone sweeter, and this is where we get the modern recorders that students learn in school.

Composers

Johann

Sebastian

Bach

Georg

Philipp

Telemann Antonio

Vivaldi

George

Frideric

Handel

The Classical Period

1750-1825

The Classical Period• Classical music is less complicated than Baroque music

and is characterized by homophony, where two or more parts move together in harmony, or by an obvious melody with an accompaniment.

• Classical composers put an emphasis on clarity and on form, and music followed strict guidelines.

• The harpsichord was replaced by the piano, and instrumental music was emphasized over choral music.

• The makeup of the orchestra became standardized, partially due to Beethoven’s influence and the musicians he called for in his writing.

Instruments

• The piano came into wide use, replacing the harpsichord, and the French horn was given a key system and began to resemble the modern French horn of today.

• The serpent (horn) was replaced by the ophicleide, which was a precursor to the tuba.

Notable Composers

Joseph Haydn

And

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Ludwig van Beethoven Franz Schubert

transitioned from classical into the

Romantic Period and so are

considered part of both periods.

Need to Know

• Approximate time periods• The piano came into use in classical period• Classical music is less complicated than Baroque• What period Bach and Handel are in (Baroque).• What period Haydn and Mozart are from (Classical)• What two periods Beethoven is in (Classical and

Romantic)• What homophony is (two parts that move together)• The orchestra became standardized in the Classical

period, mostly through Beethoven’s influence.• Order: Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical.