Classicism in music

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

In the 17th-19th centuries, in the culture of European states, the pretentious and contradictory Baroque style was replaced by strict rationalistic classicism. Its main principles are aimed at creating ideal, clear, logically complete and harmonious works of art. Classicism in music brought new trends related to the content and form of compositions. During this period, such genres as sonata, symphony and opera reach perfection in the work of composers.

The real revolution in the art of music was the reform of K. Gluck, which proclaimed three main requirements for compositions: truth, naturalness and simplicity. In an effort to more easily convey to the viewer the meaning of dramatic works, he removes all unnecessary "effects" from the scores: decorations, tremolo, trills. At the same time, the main emphasis is on revealing the poetic image of the composition, understanding the inner experiences of the protagonist. Classicism in music is most colorfully found in K. Gluck's opera Orpheus and Eurydice. This work, written in accordance with new ideas, marked the beginning of the reform described above.

Classicism in music reaches its peak in the second half18th century. During this period, world-famous composers Joseph Haydn, Ludwig van Beethoven and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart create their great masterpieces in Vienna.

They pay the main attention in their work to the symphonic genre. Joseph Haydn is rightfully considered the father of instrumental classical music and the founder of the orchestra. It was he who determined the basic laws by which the development of the symphony should be built, established the order of the sections, gave them a finished look and found the ideal form for embodying the deep content of the works of this genre - four-part. Classicism in music also established a new type of three-movement sonata. Compositions written in this form have acquired a noble subtle simplicity, lightness, cheerfulness, earthly joy and enthusiasm.

Further development of sonata-symphony works is in the work of W. A. Mozart. This well-known and beloved musician in Vienna, relying on the achievements of Haydn, wrote a number of operas that are of great value for modern culture: The Magic Flute, Don Giovanni, The Marriage of Figaro and others.

Music of the era of classicism was also reflected in the work of the great composer L. V. Beethoven - the greatest symphonist of the era. His large-scale works, formed under the influence of the revolutionary events of this period, are permeated with the pathos of struggle, drama and great heroism. They seem to be addressed to all mankind. Ludwig van Beethoven is the creator of a number of symphonic overtures (Coriolanus,Egmont), thirty-two piano sonatas, five piano concertos and other large-scale works. In his writings, he portrays a bold and passionate hero, thinker and fighter, who is characterized by dramatic pathos, at the same time, lyrical dreaminess is not alien. The music of classicism in the works of Beethoven completed its development, remaining for subsequent generations the ideal of harmony and rational rigor.