Definition of Classical Music

Like any historical period, the Renaissance, the baroque, among others, that we identify through specific dates in time, the musical classicism, also includes a precise historical moment, which will begin in 1750 with the death of Sebastian Bach, faithful exponent of the music Baroque and that obviously will inspire many of the "classics" and culminates in approximately 1820 with the physical disappearance of Beethoven.

What characterizes this musical period is the evolution towards a music absolutely balanced between harmony and melody.

But of course, it would be impossible to talk about this moment in the history of music and even understand it, if it is not located in the political and social context in which it developed. Are times of Enlightened DespotismThus, there begins to be an important interest on the part of kings and ministers in introducing improving reforms in the field of culture and the arts. The musicians are beginning to be protected, there is a greater influx of public to the concerts and this increases the

demand of musicians. And music, of course, will not be exempt from the enlightened humanitarianism that prevailed at the time and will be largely affected by it.

The effect of this is a simple melody, product of rational work that is oriented to the search for Balance. The instrument will be the protagonist par excellence and the religious will run from the scene to give place to the lay feeling that will be the one that will predominate in the period.

The best known forms of classical music are the sonata and opera and the most faithful representatives of the gender will be Franz Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven, the latter being the one who will close the period known as classicism and will leave a very important legacy which will kick off the romantic period of music, which will be absolutely inspiring for the artists who will succeed him in the 19th century.

Although Beethoven's symphonies are what is most popularly known about him, his contribution turned out to be much more decisive in piano and chamber music.

Topics in Classical Music