Classical Style Traits
This texture, lighter and clearer than Baroque counterpoint, became the hallmark of Classical style.This Enlightenment value emphasized logic and clear thinking, and it inspired the Classical era’s preference for balanced, orderly musical forms.
What is homophony
Known as the “Father of the Symphony,” this composer exemplified Enlightenment ideals of clarity and balance.
Who is Haydn
This Baroque texture, full of overlapping lines, gave way to clearer Classical textures.
These events became more common in the Enlightenment, allowing middle‑class audiences to hear music outside aristocratic courts.
What are public concerts
This Enlightenment idea encouraged clear thinking and inspired the Classical era’s neat, balanced musical forms.
What is reason
These balanced, question‑and‑answer melodic units reflect Enlightenment ideals of symmetry and order.
This composer’s operas and instrumental works reflect Enlightenment values of naturalness, human emotion, and social commentary.
Who is Mozart
This Classical preference for balanced, symmetrical phrases contrasts with the Baroque love of continuous melody.
What is periodic phrasing
This social class grew in influence during the Enlightenment and shaped new musical tastes and markets.
What is middle class
This belief said that art should be understandable and enjoyable for everyone, not just the wealthy.
What is universalism (or What is accessibility)
This Classical form, often used in first movements, embodies Enlightenment ideas of structure and logic.
What is sonata form
This early Classical composer, son of a Baroque master, helped bridge the shift from Baroque complexity to Enlightenment clarity.
Who is C.P.E. Bach
his Baroque feature was replaced by simpler melodic lines in the Classical era.
As music became more accessible in the Enlightenment, many middle‑class families bought these instruments for home music‑making.
What is piano
This idea promoted music that sounded simple, natural, and not overly decorated.
What is naturalness
This term describes the elegant, light, and graceful style that emerged in the mid‑18th century and aligned with Enlightenment aesthetics.
What is galant
This composer’s early works fit Enlightenment ideals, but his later works pushed toward Romantic individualism.
Who is Beethoven
This Classical value emphasized emotional moderation, unlike the Baroque’s dramatic contrasts.
What is restraint
This type of musical entertainment, often humorous and accessible, reflected Enlightenment ideals of naturalness and everyday life.
What is opera buffs
This belief in improving society helped create more chances for everyday people to hear and play music.
What is humanism (or What is progress)
As Enlightenment tastes changed, this ensemble expanded in size and color, allowing composers like Haydn and Mozart to explore new sounds.During the Classical era, this part of musical life grew larger and more varied, adding instruments like clarinets and expanding the string sections.
What is orchestra
This composer’s string quartets became models of Enlightenment balance, dialogue, and rational musical discourse.
Who is Haydn
This shift from court patronage to public concerts reflects the broader Enlightenment move from aristocratic exclusivity to public participation.
What is democratization of music
This Enlightenment belief encouraged composers to write music that could be enjoyed by both trained musicians and amateurs.
What is the belief in accessibility (or universal human experience)
This Enlightenment ideal led composers to avoid overly complex textures and instead write music that felt natural and straightforward.
What is simplicity