1750-1800 A.D.

The word Classical has strong connotations, conjuring up the art and

philosophy of Ancient Greece and Rome along with their ideals of

balance, proportion and disciplined expression. The late Baroque style

was polyphonically complex and melodically ornate. The composers of

the early Classical period changed direction, writing music that was much

simpler in texture. It is in some ways ironic that two of J.S. Bach's

children, Carl Philipp Emanuel (C.P.E.) and Johann Christian (J.C.), were

among the leaders of this new artistic movement. Their father had been

the greatest master of the high Baroque style, and it was his children who

made that style obsolete.

Homophony--music in which melody and accompaniment are

distinct--dominated the Classical style, and new forms of composition

were developed to accommodate the transformation. Sonata form is by

far the most important of these forms, and one that continued to evolve

throughout the Classical period. Although Baroque composers also wrote

pieces called sonatas, the Classical sonata was quite different.

The essence of the Classical sonata is conflict. A highly simplified example

of such a conflict might be between two themes of contrasting character.

This contrast would be intensified during the course of the sonata, then

finally resolved. In some ways, there is a resemblance to the skeleton of a

play: we meet characters, a conflict is developed and finally a resolution

reached. Sonata form allowed composers to give pure instrumental music

a recognizable dramatic shape. Every major instrumental form of the

Classical era, including the string quartet, symphony and concerto was

molded on the dramatic structure of the sonata.

One of the most important developments of the Classical period is the

growth of the public concert. Although the aristocracy would continue to

play a significant role in musical life, it was now possible for composers to

survive without being the employee of one person or family. This also

meant that concerts were no longer limited to palace drawing rooms.

Composers started organizing concerts featuring their own music, and

often attracted large audiences. The increasing popularity of the public

concert had a strong impact on the growth of the orchestra. Although

chamber music and solo works were played in the home or other intimate

settings, orchestral concerts seemed to be naturally designed for big

public spaces. As a result, symphonic music (including opera and

oratorio) became more extroverted in character. Composers gradually

expanded the size of the orchestra to accommodate this expanded

musical vision.