Neoclassical music refers to a 20th century movement that occurred between the two world wars and included artists such as Igor Stravinsky. In the music world the time period between 1750 and 1850 is simply considered the classical period. (Not to be confused with classical music, which refers to the genre overall). Some famous composers from this time period are Ludwig van Beethoven and Joseph Hayden. This period of time in the music sense is sometimes referred to Viennese Classic or Classicism. The transition between the Baroque era and the Classicism era happened between 1730-1760, in which the style of music became more notated ornamentation and more emphasis between sections in the music. Some people believe that Mozart and Beethoven were in the same musical period but actually Beethoven was an artist from the romantic period, while Mozart was more of a classical artist.
Classical
The rise of the classical music period occurred when the arias and sonatas of the Baroque period started becoming more simple and at the same time more ornamentation. Over time, the basic layout of these types of music changed and the music became more dramatic and striking. By the late 1750s, dozens of symphonies had been written in this new style. This type of music is defined by its coordination of structural The first new master of this style was Joseph Haydn, although he is often shadowed by Mozart and Beethoven. In the last decade or so of the 1700s Haydn began teaching Mozart. Mozart applied what he learned from Haydn and what he had already known to make the greatest operas and virtuoso concertos made in that time. While Haydn preferred to just be a composer, Mozart would go on to crave public success in public concerts. Between those two amazing composers, the world was rocked as they listened to songs that are still often heard today, such as Alla Turca (above), Mozart's 40th Symphony, Ein Kleine Nachtmusik, Haydn's 22nd Symphony, and Requiem.
Some traits of classical period music are that is has a lighter, clearer texture than that of Baroque music. It has a more emphasis on melody instead of accompaniment. It usually has a light elegance to it where instead the Baroque style was full of dignified grandeur and impressive seriousness. Contrast within a piece became more of a prominent feature than before. Frequent changes of the aura of a piece along with strong dynamic fluctuations and shorter pieces of music were typical themes in a traditional classical song.
In addition to changes to the actual style of music, several changes were made in the actual orchestra. For example, the harpsichord continuo was discontinued, and replaced instead by the piano (sometimes called the fortepiano during that time period). Another big change was that the woodwinds first became a real section of the orchestra in this time period. The types of music played with these newly arranged orchestras were sonatas, trios, string quartets, symphonies, and concertos.
Some traits of classical period music are that is has a lighter, clearer texture than that of Baroque music. It has a more emphasis on melody instead of accompaniment. It usually has a light elegance to it where instead the Baroque style was full of dignified grandeur and impressive seriousness. Contrast within a piece became more of a prominent feature than before. Frequent changes of the aura of a piece along with strong dynamic fluctuations and shorter pieces of music were typical themes in a traditional classical song.
In addition to changes to the actual style of music, several changes were made in the actual orchestra. For example, the harpsichord continuo was discontinued, and replaced instead by the piano (sometimes called the fortepiano during that time period). Another big change was that the woodwinds first became a real section of the orchestra in this time period. The types of music played with these newly arranged orchestras were sonatas, trios, string quartets, symphonies, and concertos.
Romantic
This time period in music lasted from around 1780-1850, and it included famous artists such as Ludwig van Beethoven, Johann Strauss II, Carl Maria von Weber, Frédéric Chopin, and Johannes Brahms. Ludwig van Beethoven was of course the most famous of these composers, being known throughout the world for his influential pieces, such as Moonlight Sonata, Fur Elise, and Symphonies 5 and 9, the latter of which he wrote when he was completely deaf. He realized he was going deaf between 1800 and 1820, and his music reflects his life as he slowly went deaf. In his childhood to around 1803, his music was characterized by higher notes, including his 1st and 2nd Symphonies. Around the time his hearing had started to decline until the early 1820s, his music has lower notes more often and he used high notes much less commonly. He wrote the Moonlight Sonata this way. Lastly, just before 1820, his music started including high notes once more. At this point he was fully deaf at this point, or at least extremely close to it. Some other music from this period includes The Blue Danube Waltz, which was composed by Johann Strauss II. It was written the celebrate the River Danube. Another example is Frédéric Chopin is known for his varying styles of music. Most of his pieces are relaxing, but some, like Fantasie Impromtu, were very speedy and musical.
Some traits found in romantic music were a special connection with nature, an inspiration that came from the Middle Ages, a focus of the mystic and supernatural world, subtle hints of the nocturnal, ghostly, and terrifying, and connotations of the strange and surprising. Basically what that means is that the music from this period is more occult and emblematical. This was different from the classical's more stark and definitive nature.
Some traits found in romantic music were a special connection with nature, an inspiration that came from the Middle Ages, a focus of the mystic and supernatural world, subtle hints of the nocturnal, ghostly, and terrifying, and connotations of the strange and surprising. Basically what that means is that the music from this period is more occult and emblematical. This was different from the classical's more stark and definitive nature.