Classical period (music)
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The Classical period was an era of classical music between roughly 1750 and 1820.
The classical period falls between the Baroque and Romantic periods. It is mainly homophonic, using a clear melody line over a subordinate chordal accompaniment, but counterpoint was by no means forgotten, especially in liturgical vocal music and, later in the period, secular instrumental music. It also makes use of style galant which emphasizes light elegance in place of the Baroque's dignified seriousness and impressive grandeur. Variety and contrast within a piece became more pronounced than before, and the orchestra increased in size, range, and power.
The harpsichord declined as the main keyboard instrument and was superseded by the piano (or fortepiano). Unlike the harpsichord, which plucks strings with quills, pianos strike the strings with leather-covered hammers when the keys are pressed, which enables the performer to play louder or softer (hence the original name "fortepiano", literally "loud soft") and play with more expression; in contrast, the force with which a performer plays the harpsichord keys does not change the sound. Instrumental music was considered important by Classical period composers. The main kinds of instrumental music were the sonata, trio, string quartet, quintet, symphony (performed by an orchestra), and the solo concerto, which featured a virtuoso solo performer playing a solo work for violin, piano, flute, or another instrument, accompanied by an orchestra. Vocal music, such as songs for a singer and piano (notably the work of Schubert), choral works, and opera (a staged dramatic work for singers and orchestra), was also important during this period.
The period is sometimes referred to as the era of Viennese Classicism (German: Wiener Klassik), since Christoph Willibald Gluck, Georg Christoph Wagenseil, Georg Matthias Monn, Joseph Haydn, Johann Georg Albrechtsberger, Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf, Johann Baptist Wanhal, Antonio Salieri, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Franz Schubert all worked in Vienna.