Classical Period Introduction

1
Classical Period Introduction

• 1750-1820

2
Influence of Science

• Scientific methods and discoveries
• Galileo and Newton
• Methods and Discoveries influenced peoples views
  of the world
• The scientific method challenged the authority of
  the social (aristocracy) and religious (church)
  establishment

3
Age of Enlightenment

• New way of viewing the world
• New way of viewing your place in the world
  (society)
• Previous
• Custom or tradition (or some authority) dictated
  what was the best human conduct
• Now Reason was the guide

4
Rise of the Middle Class

• Fighting for rights
• Attacked privileges of aristocracy and clergy
• Not fair
• Not reasonable
• Some rulers actually listened

5
Political and Social Upheaval

• Seven Years War
• American Revolution
• French Revolution
• Napoleonic Wars
• Political and economic power shift
• Aristocracy to middle class

6
Questions
7
Shift in Visual Arts

• Heavy Baroque style gave way to
• Lighter Rococo style then to
• Neoclassical
• Neo new
• Return to simplicity and grandeur of ancient
  Greek and Roman art

8
Visual Arts

• Jacques-Louis David (1745-1825)
• William Hogarth (1697-1764)
• Francisco Goya (1746-1828)

9
Baroque to Classical Musical Style

• Did not happen overnight
• Baroque was really out of fashion by 1750
• Pre-classical (1730-1770)
• Bachs sons
• C. P. E. Bach
• Johann Christian Bach
• Turn from polyphonic Baroque complexity to
• Simple, clear, tuneful melody and simple harmony
• Contrast of mood and theme

10
Baroque to Classical Musical Style
Classical
Baroque
1750
1600
1820
1770
1730
Preclassical
11
Classical

• Confusing
• Ancient Greek and Roman Art
• Supreme accomplishment
• Movie Classic
• Classic Car
• Anything that is not rock, jazz, folk, or popular
  music

12
Classical Musical Style

• 1750-1820
• Stress on balance and clarity of structure
• Joseph Haydn
• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• Ludwig van Beethoven

13
Questions