Features of Classical Music

by Lynn Edwards

Also known as the Classic Era in America, famous composers included Mozart, Haydn and Boccherini.

Melody in classical music was so very important. Unlike the Baroque period of music, which relied heavily on its use of embroidery and decoration, the Classical period was all about finding a way to express a tune elegantly in the most concise way possible. As a results, sections are clearly marked within a piece (again, often with the simple major-minor pattern) and are generally very easy-listening, especially in the case of a sonata.

Many pieces were orchestrated, with the introduction of such musical forms as the symphony. A very long extended piece, a symphony usually contains four main sections (or movements); the first has to be impressive, giving the listener a very clear idea of how the tune is meant to sound, whilst the second and third take the tune away, working on it and varying it, often very slowly, often without the tune at all. The fourth movement is much like the first and can be anything containing the main theme of the symphony. Usually.

The Classical period was also really the beginning of an extensive use of dynamics. We begin to see the use of a crescendo and diminuendo, and expressive phrases clearly marked with often one phrase mark. It was inspired by detail-rich paintings of the Greek and Roman culture, as well as the Renaissance, but mainly the ancient civilisations.

Also very important was the introduction and extensive use of instruments that are still in full use today- most notable being the flute and the piano. With the ability to sound fluent and subtle, composers really did have the capability to do much more than previous composers could have done.

Classical music is very stylish and elegant; indeed, as its name suggests, it sports the kind of music we associate with high-class affairs and matters of the highest importance. Not as popular now as it once used to be, with the arrival of 20th Century pop, classical music has nonetheless retained a huge number of listeners throughout the past couple of centuries.

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