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The Different Eras of Classical Music: The Classical Period (1730 - 1820)

Writer's picture: Rachel BeardRachel Beard

Updated: Nov 4, 2024



C”lassical (uppercase 'c') = this specific era of music (1730-1820)

"c“lassical (lowercase 'c') = the whole western art tradition


There is an overlap in time between the late Baroque and early Classical eras. The music that transitioned between these two periods is called Gallant music. Composers at that time began scaling back on the complex frills of Baroque style and began to favor the more simplified approach of what would become Classical style. Music started to become clearer with a distinct melody. Many of these melodies you may even recognize!


Classical Period music tended to be organized into neat, balanced phrases. Homophony dominated, meaning there is a distinct melody line and a subordinate accompanying part which is often played in chords. Compositional focus leaned toward chord sequences and arpeggios (broken up chords). Also, orchestras grew in size from the small chamber Baroque music to the larger ensembles seen today in professional symphonies. 


These expanded orchestras gave music a bigger and more powerful sound with standardized woodwind and string sections. The string section was limited to include four main instruments: violin, viola, cello, and double bass. In 1709, an Italian named Bartolomeo Cristofori invented an instrument that would take the place of the harpsichord, which was a defining sound of Baroque music. That invention was the pianoforte, or piano. Unlike the harpsichord, the piano was able to play at different dynamic (volume) levels, which allowed music to become more subtle and expressive. 


The Classical Period saw the development of new musical forms and changes to existing ones such as the string quartet, symphony, sonata, concerto, and opera. This period also gave birth to some of the greatest classical composers of all time such as Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, and Schubert.

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