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Classic Period
1750-1820
• Classicism in the Arts
o People grew tired of complexity in Music, Literature, Art, and
Architecture and sought to be more like ancient Greece – less
complex
o Music shifted away from the polyphony of the Baroque
o Lightness and clarity was desired
Melody became supreme
Accompaniment supported melody and moved together
rhythmically - homophony
o Given that the focus was on a single melody, dynamics and
phrasing became important
o Instrumental music gained importance
Orchestra became larger (35)
Harpsichord replaced by the fortepiano
Sonata form overtook fugue as most important form
• Patronage System
o Musicians, particularly composers, relied on the wealthy class
(royalty) for employment
o Kings, dukes, counts, etc. had great influence over the style of
music being written. The music did not belong to the
composer, it belonged to the person who paid for it.
• Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
o Born in Rohrau, Austria
o Training
Parents noticed his talent in music, but could not read
music themselves.
At the age of 6 he was apprenticed to Johann Matthias
Frankh, choirmaster in Hainburg, to receive formal
training. He never returned to live with his parents.
o He worked for several royal families until 1761, when he was
offered a position with the Esterhazy family by Prince Paul
Anton.
The Esterhazy family had several estates (palaces) and
Haydn traveled with the family when they changed
locations
Prince Paul, and later Prince Nikolaus I, required
constant compositions, so Haydn produced a flood of
music, helped by access to his own orchestra. Because
he wrote so much music, yet was isolated from other
composers, he was forced to be inventive.
o Musical Style
Father of the Symphony
Haydn liked to develop short themes (motifs)
His music developed the idea of sonata form
Music was known for its humor (dynamics, false
endings)
o Character
Haydn was an honest and good man
His music was well liked by the public
He and his music were appreciated by many of his
contemporaries, such as Mozart and Beethoven
• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
o Born in Salzburg, Austria
o His father, Leopold Mozart, was deputy court composer for the
Archbishop of Salzburg
o Wolfgang was a music prodigy
He watched his sister’s piano (clavier) and violin lessons
and began learning both instruments at the age of 4
He began composing music at the age of 5
• First sonata at the age of 6
• First symphony at the age of 8
• First opera at the age of 12
Traveled and performed for European royalty
Became a court musician in Salzburg, Austria at the age
of 17 but was disappointed in the opportunities there, so
he traveled Europe in search of a better position
He settled in Vienna, Austria in 1781 and won fame as a
composer, but was poor due to his lifestyle, an immature
jokester who loved to party
While in Vienna he composed some of his most famous
symphonies, concertos, and operas
He died of rheumatic fever before completing his final
composition, Requiem, which was finished by Franz
Xavier Sussmayr so that Mozart’s wife, Contanze, could
collect the commission money to pay off debts
o Style and Influence
Mozart embodies the idea of Classic style
• Clear melody, supportive accompaniment
• Simple texture
• Balanced form
Wrote over 700 pieces of music in every genre:
symphony, opera, solo concerto, chamber music, piano
sonata, sacred music, light entertainment
Many composers of the Romantic Era, particularly
Beethoven, were greatly influenced by Mozart’s music