Classical Instrumental Music: Baroque to Classical Period
Properly speaking, sonata form did not exist in the Baroque period; however, the forms which
led to the standard definition did. In fact, there is a greater variety of harmonic patterns in
Baroque works called sonatas than in the Classical period.
1. Josef Haydn (1732-1809)
- Known as the "Father of Quartet" and "Father of Symphony"
- Established forms and styles for string quartet and symphony
- Famous works include:
- Stabat Mater (1767)
- Missa Sancti Nicolai (1772)
- String quartets of Opus 20
- Piano Sonata in C Minor
- Symphonies (e.g., "Mourning Symphony" and "Farewell" Symphony)
2. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
- Considered the greatest composer in Western music history
- Excelled in all musical genres of his day
- Famous works include:
- Serenades
- Divertimenti
- Dances
- Masterworks in various genres (e.g., opera, symphony, chamber music)
Works and Composition
Mozart is probably the only composer in history to have written undisputed masterworks in
virtually every musical genre of his age.
3.Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827)*
- Regarded as the greatest composer in history
- Rooted in Classical traditions, but influenced by humanism and nationalism
- Famous works include:
- Symphony No. 6 (Pastoral)
- Symphony No. 9 (combined vocal and instrumental music)
- Innovated sonata, symphony, concerto, and quartet forms
- Personal life marked by struggle against deafness, yet produced iconic works in his last
decade.
