Classic Music and its Form - Essay Example

There are three important composer in the classical period: Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. They are responsible for many of the changes of the structure of musical forms of movements . The names of the pieces often illustrated what was going on in history or the name of the person for whom the piece was commissioned. Chamber music was reinvented. The symphony was reinvented. The Sonata Form is the foundation for the symphony's first movement, the sonata, the string quartets and the concerto. (ThinkQuest) The Sonata is for one solo instrument and the piano or harpsichord.

The form changed a little bit from the baroque period. It is called the "Sonata Principe". (ThinkQuest) It has three movements: introduction of one theme, then the second theme is introduced. In the second movement, the two themes are developed and played together. The final movement plays the two themes giving the listener a sense that the chapter is being finished. The most important instrument can be the violin, flute or oboe for example. String Quartet was invented by Haydn. It has two violins, one viola and one cello.

There are four movements. Other chamber music was performed as the concerto with a string orchestra or the Concerto Grosso with a symphony orchestra. Haydn worked on all forms. He composed over 1000 pieces of music (Burrows 138 ) Orchestra Music became bigger in the classical period. It was not just chamber music. . The forms of the movements took form in early classical music. In Beethoven's 9th Symphony it was not used. The first movement is the "sonata allegro". This form was contributed to Haydn.

It was used in the early classical period as it was more open and less complicated than the sonata form in the Baroque period. It is usually in the ABA form but can be in different variations. The second movement is in theme and variation. By the height of the Baroque period, the theme was played and then the variation was a mathematical effort to give every possible variation to sound. In this period the variation was more musical and the flowing of the music was more important than the chords.

A Minuet and Trio is the third movement in ABA form. (Grout 486) The time is in 3/4 taking after a dance. The middle section is played more quietly often with solo instruments. The Rondo finishes the symphony with a bright quick piece of music with the theme and quickly in ABA form. Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) was self taught. He helped establish the symphony form that we know today. He has 108 symphonies that are attributed to him (Burrows 137). Each one improves on the simplistic baroque form.

The string quartet where there are four equal players is his true gift. (Grout 491) Mozart and Beethoven go on to write many more string quartets. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791), a child prodigy who died a pauper. He was a prolific composer of all genres of music. (Burrows 149) Because he had played in all the courts of Europe, he used the styles of music in his own compositions. He was one of the first composers to try to work for himself without having to rely on a patron. Perhaps this is why he died a pauper.

Ludwig Beethoven (1770-1827) was not as prolific a composer but his compositions