Classical
Period
1750 - 1820
Napoleon In His Study, 1812
Music of the Classical period was also very structured and emotions were controlled. It was tuneful and simple. Even the size of the orchestra was modest, usually with no more than 40 musicians.
The Classical period also emphasized balance and contrast. This was achieved using form.
Texture is the way the melody and harmony go together. Music of the Classical period used a homophonic texture. Homophonic texture--music in which the melody is more important than the rest of the tune-- was important during the Classical style. This means that one voice--usually the high voice-- is the most important voice. The other voices are less important than the high voice.
Click here to hear an example of homophonic texture. In this example the high part (melody) is more important than the low part (accompaniment).
Sonata form--also called ABA form--was the most important musical form used during the Classical period. The beginning and the ending sections of Sonata form are the same. The middle section is different. This form gives you balance (beginning and ending) and contrast (middle).
The symphony became a popular musical form during this period. A symphony is a huge musical work in four movements. Listen to the first movement of Symphony #40 by Mozart.
The orchestra grew in size during the Classical period. Famous composers during this time included Mozart and Beethoven. The Classical period ended when Beethoven died in 1827. Beethoven was considered the bridge between the Classical and Romantic periods.