Classical music of the 1700's

Classical music of the 1700's

The greatest composers of this period were Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, both of Austria, and Ludwig van Beethoven of Germany. Haydn's works included symphonies, string quartets, sonatas, and operas. His instrumental music consisted of four movements that both contrasted with and balanced one another. Haydn built his movements on phrases that consisted of three or four notes. These phrases are called motives. Haydn's style became a model for later composers of the period.

Mozart composed in a greater variety of styles and forms than Haydn did. Mozart created much instrumental music, including sonatas, chamber music, symphonies, and piano concertos. He also wrote operas, some of which combined serious and comic elements. Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro (1785), Don Giovanni (1787), and The Magic Flute (1791) rank among the great operas of all time.

Beethoven specialized in piano sonatas, string quartets, and symphonies. Many of Beethoven's works emphasize nonmusical ideas. For example, his ninth symphony expresses the ideal of human brotherhood. Beethoven wrote longer compositions than did Haydn and Mozart. His later piano sonatas and string quartets have an extraordinary range and power of expression.

Excerpt adapted from the "Classical music" article, The World Book Encyclopedia © 1999