September 2, 2024
About the Author: Arwen
From Beethoven’s groundbreaking symphonies to Mozart’s breathtaking Sonatas, Classical Piano is one of the hardest music genres for any pianist to master, but continues to captivate audiences through timeless compositions and virtuous techniques.
Classical music is a genre that derived from approximately 1750 until 1820.
This time period was called the Classical Era due to its distinguished musical creations and characteristics.
It originated in Europe, where classical music was mostly written for the royals and nobles to enjoy while living their comfortable lives.
Many musical inventions were born during this era, and it was the start of the piano joining the spill as well.
Although the piano was created around the year 1700, the clarinet still played a dominant role during the earlier stages of the classical period.
Yet as more and more musicians realised the advantages of a piano, such as more dynamic control, the piano was used to bring breakthroughs to many artists.
It allowed composers to insert gradual sound changes, instead of an instant dynamic change – as used during the Baroque Period.
There are also many other brilliant changes that came with this instrument which is covered in previous articles on this website.
Classical piano sounds absolutely beautiful, but do not be deceived – it is extremely difficult.
In fact, classical piano is infamous for its technical difficulty and complexity.
Notes have to be played with precision while conveying emotion and that alone is not an easy task.
No wonder most of the hardest piano pieces to play were composed during the classical period!
Classical Characteristics and Elements
Classical music has various elements and characteristics that help give the genre its form. Here are some of them:
Melodies
The melodies of classical music are characterised by grace and simplicity in sound. Any classical music piece you listen to falls pleasantly on the ear, yet a lot is a nightmare to learn.
It is actually quite ironic to say that the melodies sound simple when it is the exact opposite when playing it.
Thus, it requires skill to be able to play complex and challenging melodies while sounding graceful, too.
The texture of the melodies are mostly a relatively simple homophonic texture, which is a single melodic line with chordal accompaniment.
The classical music period has clearly moved away from the polyphonic texture that was used during the Baroque era, but it is not unheard of for a classical piece to be polyphonic.
Which is two or more melodic lines playing simultaneously. Although the norm texture for classical music is indeed homophonic
Structure, Form and Instruments
Most pieces are written in sonata form – which consists of an exposition, development and then recapitulation, or ABA.
The classical era actually introduced the symphony structure.
A symphony is made up of four sections, each called movements, where every moment follows its own structure or format.
Many stringed instruments were introduced to classical music.
These include the violin, the viola, the cello and the double bass.
The piano was also a newly added instrument during the classical period, basically replacing the harpsichord.
Dynamics
As mentioned earlier in this article, the dynamics in classical music are much more controlled, demure and graceful.
The piano made it possible to replace the harpsichord and do what the other instrument could never do: control the level of the sound.
Classical music makes use of “steady” dynamics, which is basically where the dynamics gradually shift instead of an immediate change.
Brilliant Artists Who Shaped The Genre
Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is one of the most influential composers of the classical period.
Mozart was born in Salzburg and started showcasing his musical talents when he was only five years old.
Mozart performed before European royalty and travelled a lot.
He visited Vienna where he stayed there and composed many notable works that have led to his greatest achievements and fame.
Unfortunately, Mozart’s life was cut short and passed away at the young age of 35.
Although his years were few, Mozart composed over 600 works during his lifetime, paving the way for the Romantic period and inspiring countless composers.
Some of his well-known works include the Magic Flute, the Jupiter Symphony and many more…
Beethoven
Many argue whether Beethoven is considered a classical composer or a romantic composer, since he lived to see both time periods.
Yet many of his works have influenced both styles, impacting both periods.
Bethoven was born in Germany, where he was initially taught by his father until at a later stage received proper piano lessons. His first set of string quartets was published in 1801.
Beethoven continued to compose and teach piano throughout his life.
He suffered from deafness later in his life, but not even that prevented him from composing music. He composed over 720 works and lived until the age of 56.
Beethoven is adored by many, even to this day. His works rank among the most performed of the classical music era. A composer no one will soon forget.
His most famous works are Symphony no.9, Für Elise, etc.
Haydn
Born in Austria, Joseph Haydn had revealed unusual musical gifts in his early years.
That led to him being apprenticed to his cousin Johann Frankh and training as a musician.
Later in his life, Haydn achieved great success through his compositions and findings. Sadly, Haydn suffered from an illness, so much so that he could not further compose.
During his last years he had found solace by playing his Emperor’s Hymn on the piano. Haydn has received many public honours before passing away, reaching the age of 77.
Haydn was of immense influence when it came to the development of the classical music style.
He helped establish forms for the symphony and string quartet, and he is even considered the father of classical symphony and string quartet!
Some of his works are the London Symphonies, Cello concerto No.2 in D major and more.
As we have explored the Classical era and the genre itself, it is evident of the beauty classical music holds in its grasp.
It is one of the few genres that truly showcase the virtuosity of playing the piano while expressing immense emotion.
The piano was made for the classical period.
