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The Classical period was an era of classical music between roughly 1730 and 1820.

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.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart


Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (27 January 1756–5 December 1791) was one of the most
influential, popular and prolific composers of the classical period. He composed over 600 works,
including some of the most famous and loved pieces of symphonic, chamber, operatic, and choral
music. Mozart was born in Salzburg to a musical family. From an early age, the young Mozart
showed all the signs of a prodigious musical talent. By the age of five, he could read and write music,
and he would entertain people with his talents on the keyboard. By the age of six, he was writing his
first compositions. Mozart was generally considered to be a rare musical genius, although he was
also diligent in studying other great composers such as Haydn and Bach. During his childhood, he
would frequently tour various palaces around Europe playing for distinguished guests. Aged 17, he
accepted a post as a court musician in Salzburg; although this did not suit him very well, the next few
years were a time of prolific composition. In 1781, he moved permanently to Vienna where he stayed
for the remainder of his life. In Vienna, he became well known and was often in demand as a
composer and performer. However, despite his relative fame, he struggled to manage his finances
and moved between periods of poverty and prosperity. This difficulty was enhanced when, in 1786,
Austria was involved in a war which led to lower demand for musicians. In 1782, he married against
the wishes of his family; he had six children but only two survived infancy. The work of Mozart is epic
in scope and proportion. There were few branches of music Mozart did not touch. He composed
operas, symphonies, concertos, and solo pieces for the piano. His work spanned from joyful light-
hearted pieces to powerful, challenging compositions which touched the emotions. At the beginning
of his career, Mozart had a powerful ability to learn and remember from the music he heard from
others. He was able to incorporate the style and music of people such as Haydn and J.S. Bach. As he
matured, he developed his very own style and interpretations. In turn, the music of Mozart very much
influenced the early Beethoven. Mozart was brought up a Roman Catholic and remained a member of
the church throughout his life.

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