Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
The Classical period falls between the Baroque and the Romantic periods. Classical music has a
lighter, clearer texture than Baroque music and is less complex. It is mainly homophonic, using a
clear melody line over a subordinate chordal accompaniment, but counterpoint was by no means
forgotten, especially later in the period. It also makes use of style galant which emphasized light
elegance in place of the Baroque's dignified seriousness and impressive grandeur. Variety and
contrast within a piece became more pronounced than before and the orchestra increased in size,
range, and power.
The harpsichord was replaced as the main keyboard instrument by the piano (or fortepiano). Unlike
the harpsichord, which plucked strings with quills, pianos strike the strings with leather-covered
hammers when the keys are pressed, which enables the performer to play louder or softer and play
with more expression; in contrast, the force with which a performer plays the harpsichord keys does
not change the sound. Instrumental music was considered important by Classical period composers.
The main kinds of instrumental music were the sonata, trio, string quartet, symphony (performed by
an orchestra) and the solo concerto, which featured a virtuoso solo performer playing a solo work for
violin, piano, flute, or another instrument, accompanied by an orchestra. Vocal music, such as songs
for a singer and piano (notably the work of Schubert), choral works, and opera (a staged dramatic
work for singers and orchestra) were also important during this period.
The best-known composers from this period are Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig
van Beethoven, and Franz Schubert; other notable names include Luigi Boccherini, Muzio Clementi,
Antonio Salieri, Leopold Mozart, Johann Christian Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, and Christoph
Willibald Gluck. Ludwig van Beethoven is regarded either as a Romantic composer or a Classical
period composer who was part of the transition to the Romantic era. Franz Schubert is also a
transitional figure, as were Johann Nepomuk Hummel, Luigi Cherubini, Gaspare Spontini, Gioachino
Rossini, Carl Maria von Weber and Niccolò Paganini. The period is sometimes referred to as the era
of Viennese Classic or Classicism (German: Wiener Klassik), since Gluck, Mozart, Haydn, Salieri,
Schubert, and Beethoven all worked in Vienna.