Music, Art, and Architecture1750-1830
Classical Period
1750-1830Music
Light, clean texture, less complex than BaroqueContrasts are more pronouncedMainly homophonic (melody above harmonies)
ArtSoft and gentleElegant and orderly
ArchitectureThe Baroque era continues in architectureEuropean settlers are building America (1776!)
What should I know about the Classical Period?
Similar to art in the Baroque era
Restrained emotion
Eugene Delacroix (d. 1863)Influential in the development of the
Impressionist paintersOften classified in the “Romantic” school of
painters (not to be confused with the Romantic era in music)
Art in the Classical Period
Jacques-Louis David, 1800
Baroque style continued but subduedArchitecture moves to America as the New
World is builtParis saw a great deal of growth during this
period
Classical Architecture
Construction on the White House began in 1792Like most buildings in the Classical era, it is handsome and practical.
Mozart, Haydn, BeethovenOrchestral music is more popular than opera
or sacredWind instruments become more permanent
members of the orchestraShorter phrases and defined cadencesHarmony is less structured, using the tonic,
dominant, and subdominant chords
Classical Music
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 1756-1791
• Born in Salzburg, Austria• Composed over 600 works• Began composing at the age of five• Prodigy on the violin and keyboard
(clavier) • Died young at the age of 35 after
dictating his final Requiem to a student
1770-1827• Born in Germany but moved to Vienna to
study music• Virtuoso pianist• His hearing deteriorated in his late 20s
but he continued to compose even after he became completely deaf
• Composed during the transition from Classical to the Romantic period in music
Ludwig van Beethoven
1. How is music from the Classical period different than music written today?
2. Are any of the pieces we have played in class from the Classical period?
3. Are there any buildings in your area that may be from the Classical period?
Follow-up Questions