Comparison between Classical and Romantic Periods in Western Music - Essay Example

Comparison between classical and romantic periods in Western musicClassical western music is the music in the European region between 1720 and 1830. The music had its origin in church music, western art and concert music. Romantic western music refers to the music that evolved after the classical western music. The music carried deep expressions of emotion mainly romance.One of the major differences between the two periods of music is that, during the classical period, music was more restrained while in the romantic period music became more exuberant.

During the classic period, apart from the energy used in playing the instruments, little energy was used during the performance. Movement was minimal as people performed and danced to the music. In contrast, during the romantic music period, both the performers and the dancers to the music became more physically involved in the music. More energy was used in playing the musical instruments and to dance to the music.Another major difference between the two periods is that, during the romantic period, music stressed strong emotions as opposed to the music during the classic period.

Music during the classical period did not portray deep emotions.About harmony, minor tones provided the music framework during the classical music period. Music composers wanted to have more control over their songs. The figured bass was not used during the classical music period. Amateur musicians were incapable of improvising from the bass. On the other hand, harmony during the romantic music period was expanded. Color and chromatic harmonies were added to the music.The performing mediums used during the classical music period were not as sophisticated as the accompaniments used during the romantic music period.

They were, for example, made of wood and strings and were easy to operate as accompaniments to the music. During the romantic music period, accompaniments got more sophisticated. They included pianos and other digital equipment which were not easy to operate.About form, classical music consisted of contrasting movements. The contrast was evident in tempo and character. The forms included opera, concerto and symphony. In the romantic musical period, a few forms have been invented. They include symphonies and sonatas.

During the classical period, composers were used by the ruling class for entertainment. They were paid handsomely by the aristocrats. They were charged with the responsibility of composing and maintaining musical libraries. During the romantic period, they used music to express their emotions. Some of the emotions they expressed included affection. Inspiration was drawn from history, love and the supernatural. About style, during the classical period music was homophonic, elaborately ornamented and light in texture.

In the romantic period, music became more heavily textured.Joseph Haydn is one of the major composers during the classical music period. He was born in Australia and is referred to as the father of the symphony. He pioneered the development of the string quartet and symphony. His biggest work is the London Symphony. Another major composer during the classic period is Wolfgang Amadeus. He is known for the operas like the magic flute and Don Giovanni. Christoph Willibald was a German composer during the classical era.

Operatic reforms represent a big portion of his works.Ludwig Beethoven was one of the major composers during the romantic period. Symphony number nine of 1824 is a representation of his work. Richard Wagner is another composer in the romantic period. He pioneered extreme chromatics in music. Franz Schubert was another great composer in the romantic period. His songs are masterpieces of dramatic beauty.Works cited:Burkholder, J P, and Claude V. Palisca. Norton Anthology of Western Music. New York: W.W. Norton, 2006. Print.Kirby, F E.

Music in the Classic Period: An Anthology with Commentary. New York [N.Y.: Schirmer Books, 1979. Print.Rosen, Charles. The Romantic Generation. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press, 1995. Print.Wright, Craig M, and Bryan R. Simms. Music in Western Civilization. Belmont, CA: Thomson Schirmer, 2006. Print.Raeburn, Michael, and Alan Kendall. Heritage of Music. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1989. Print.Schwartz, Judith L, and William Brown. Self-study Module for History of Music in the Classic Period.

Evanston, Ill.: School of Music, Graduate Division, Northwestern University, 1981. Print.Weiss, Piero, and Richard Taruskin. Music in the Western World: A History in Documents. Australia: Thomson/Schirmer, 2008. Internet resource.