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Music History Timeline - Classical 1750 - 1810

History
1750
1775-83
1797
1801
1801
1805
1807
Start of Industrial Revolution
American War of Independance
First £1 banknote
First British Census
The union with Ireland and adoption of Union Flag
Battle of Trafalgar
Abolition of the Slave Trade in British Empire
Composers
Joseph Haydn 1732 - 1809 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 1756 - 1791 Ludwig Van Beethoven 1770 - 1827
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Music in the Classical period echoed the architecture of the day. Buildings were less ornate with simple clear cut lines following the greek ideas. The orchestra developed still further to include solo concertos, symphonies, and opera. Other forms were popular - string quartets and sonatas. The clarinet and piano were invented during this time and much music was written for these new instruments.
Music Style
Instruments
  • Creation of solo concerto (one instrument accompanied by an orchestra)
  • Larger orchestras used.
  • Orchestral music developed to include symphonies and longer pieces of music.
  • Less ornate music with simple melodies in short, regular phrases.
  • harmony concentrates around the tonic and dominant keys.
  • Frequent changes of mood and timbre.
  • Lots of music written for piano and clarinet.
  • String quartet music is popular (2 violins, viola,'cello).
  • Piano trio music popular (piano, violin,'cello).
  • Pianoforte invented - able to play loud and soft dynamics at the same time.
  • Clarinet invented.
  • NO HARPSICHORD!
  • Timpani - orchestral drum used in the orchestra
  • Orchestra is larger and woodwind instruments become more prominant



Baroque   Romantic