Great Music Compositions During the Classical Era!

During the classical period we see the growing economic power of the middle class and with that a series of changes in the world of art. The enjoyment of sophisticated music was not only for the wealthy and powerful but also a desire of the middle class. Therefore, composers and artists felt the need to increase the availability of public concerts.

Composers such as Ludwig Van Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Franz Joseph Haydn wrote music to satisfy the taste of more diverse listeners. As a result, music in demand during this period was simpler and less intense. All the works that I selected have a typical characteristic of the Classical Era; they all get soft at some point and fast at another.

This is the first movement of Beethoven’s 5th symphony. It was composed between 1804 and 1808 and first performed in Vienna’s Theater in 1808. While listening, I can sense that Beethoven is trying to tell a story. It sounds like he is trying to express different kinds of emotions that he is experiencing at the same time. I can feel passion, control, character, joy, excitement, victory, power, but at the same time some sadness. The 5th Symphony of Beethoven is one of my favorites from all his works; it is faster than most of his compositions and it is one of the few I can dance with.

This Sonata for Two Pianos was composed by Mozart in 1781 at the age of 25, it was written in Vienna, Austria where he had just recently moved. Interestingly enough, this sonata has been used in the scientific study to test the theory of the Mozart Effect, suggesting that classical music increases brain activity more positively than other kinds of music. While listening to this sonata, I definitely feel positive and calmed. I can also feel joy, strength, and passion. This is one of my favorites from Mozart because it does not make me feel like I want to sleep. I enjoy the rhythm very much. It is not too slow or too scandalous, just the right tune to get me going.

 

This is Piano Concerto No. 11 in D Major composed by Haydn and at the piano we have Kaan Baysal an 11 year old boy. It seems to be unknown where and when Haydn composed Piano Concerto no. 11. I guess he wrote it between 1779 and 1784 in a remote palace in Hungary, that is where his biography says he wrote most of his work. Although I did not find any specific information on where or when it was composed, I found that it was published in 1784. I enjoy very much listening to this outstanding piece of music and I have a lot of admiration for Haydn. While listening to Piano Concerto by Haydn, I get excited, full of positive energy and at the same time relaxed. Like the rest of the classical music pieces, this one has parts that are slow and other ones that are fast.

 

Resources:

Keller, James M. “Haydn: Piano Concerto in D Major, H.XVIII:11.” San Francisco Symphony. N.p., Apr. 2016. Web. 29 June 2016. https://www.sfsymphony.org/Watch-Listen-Learn/Read-Program-Notes/Program-Notes/Haydn-Piano-Concerto-D-major.aspx

“Biography of Mozart.” Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART – Biography of Mozart. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 June 2016. http://www.wolfgang-amadeus.at/en/biography_of_Mozart.php

“Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major (Mozart).” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 12 June 2016. Web. 29 June 2016. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonata_for_Two_Pianos_in_D_major_(Mozart)

Estrella, Espie. “The Role of Music and Composers/ Music’s Role in the Baroque and Classical Periods.” About.com Education. About, Inc., n.d. Web. 29 June 2016. http://musiced.about.com/od/medievalto20thcentury/a/The-Role-Of-Music-And-Composers.htm