CLASSICAL PERIOD
1750-1800
THE CLASSICAL PERIOD
 Dates: 1750 – 1800
 Re-emergence of the aesthetic of the Greek period
 Coincides with the enlightenment - a focus on the importance of
the individual and on rational thought (aka the Age of Reason)
 Characterized by balance, control, symmetry, and proportion
ART/ARCHITECTURE
 Characteristics: unemotional, focused on heroism, and tended to use somber colors with only occasional
bright highlights.
Title: The Oath of the Horatii
Artist: Jacques-Louis David
Year: 1784
https://www.google.com/search?q=classi
cal+architecture&source=lnms&tbm=isc
h&sa=X&ei=Hw7TUt2aEsb4yAHH34CI
Dw&sqi=2&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw
=984&bih=512#q=classical+period+arc
hitecture&tbm=isch&imgdii=_
FEATURES OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
 Simple and pleasing to the ear
 Emphasis on melody, accompanied by an unobtrusive harmony
underneath
 Structured – regular phrase lengths, traditional forms, and tonal
harmony
 Composers – Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven
LISTENING EXAMPLES
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bMjF1xfWB4
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmoA5fy_kvQ
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nIU9iUcbfc
WORLD EVENTS
 Industrial Revolution begins – 1760
 Declaration of Independence – 1776
 George Washington elected President – 1789