Josh Bourelle

A classic never dies, like a beautiful old car in perfect condition, these great works of music art will endure. With two composers of Haydn's and Mozart's caliber heading the ranks of this era it's no wonder we refer to this as the classical era. This was the age of enlightenment and it moved people from superstitions and emotion based thinking to a clear, reason based use of their minds. Therefore music became clean, clear, and often homophonic with a beautiful use of internal contrast. Thanks to this new enlightenment instrumental music began to have an appeal of its own. The second half of the 1700s are a fascinating time in history with so much social and economic change. This time period paved the way for much of our political and social order we live in today. Many would see that our middle class began here with a pursuit of personal freedoms and liberties for all. With this growing middle class music changed too. This was a time for revolution and social change. Music became more accessible to the middle class. As cities grew the public flocked to the theaters and concert halls. Composers like Haydn wrote string quartets for home enjoyment, and Mozart appealed to the music amateurs with works like "Piano Concerto K. 488." After many years of music for only the elite class now they had music for the people. 

Baroque was all about the ornamentation, beautiful but fussy at times now classical composers were moving in a more natural direction. With the establishment of the modern orchestra in the classical era we see many changes. The instrumental orchestra becomes recognized as a viable art form of its own. Opera moved away from mythological characters and embraced figures that the people could relate to. 

Joseph Haydn's employment with Prince Nicholas Esterhazy was a kind of bubble Haydn used to grow as a composer. He was isolated from the outside world therefore his creative genius developed. The string quartet, which we still love today, would not be what it is without Haydn's input. His use of repetition, variation, and contrast was brilliant and advanced this genre. Haydn came into his own after the prince passed away. Haydn traveled to london where he was something of an 18th century rockstar. Its nice to know that he received recognition for his great work in his lifetime. Haydn's symphony no. 102 in B Major was a striking example of the power of instrumental music. Many people related the need for social reform and liberty for the people to the unity and equality of the many instruments. 

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's tragic short life left much behind. His gifted use of drama, in his composing, brings life to his music. Mozart used sonata form to bring interest to his symphonies. The exposition shows us the composers ideas, than the development works these musical ideas in different ways, finally the recapitulation bring the work to conclusion. In less than ten years Mozart wrote 17 piano concertos in which he gives great examples of contrast between the soloist and the orchestra. If this wasn't enough work his short life he also wrote operas that are still loved today. 

Other parts of the world experienced a cultural enlightenment as well. Jinaju or Chinese opera began in Beijing in the mid-19th century. With the use of many different types of instruments they developed over 60 rhythmic patterns. An interesting historical fact during China's cultural revolution, Jinaju was changed dramatically to fit the communist model. Today the opera has returned to its original art form. 

The classical era was interesting to study and I will enjoy hearing performances of Haydn's and Mozart's in the future. I even liked Mozart's opera " The marriage of Figaro" and would go to see it performed. I must admit though I would go out of my way to never attend or even hear a Chinese opera again. After finishing the listening guide "Lisa Lu the Beijing opera" I had a terrible headache. I've taken much from this music study. Some things have changed for me in terms of my view of classical music. I now listen to classical music on the radio and I'm planning to attend classical concerts. I also want to attend an opera and this is a big stretch for me. I've never had an interest in Opera before now. Understanding the different eras of music gives a structure to this study of music and a more complete picture of the history during this time. The classical era of music brought many changes that influenced the lives and times of its people. Haydn and Mozart gave us musical gifts that I hope will live with man kind forever.