classical period

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