I hope that you would understand this correctly. I used to dislike practising piano, but I never despised music. It's almost a main component of my life. My favourite kind is probably classical music, since my first impression of music was made by them. Also, I think that today's rock and pop music just lack characters. Without the lyrics, one can make no sense out of the songs today.Even though I dislike the very violent music of today, classical musicis always able to calm me down or boost my energy state, according to the selection of music chosen.
Amongst all the types of different styles of classical music, I prefer the compositions of the musicians of the Classical and Romantic Era. Of course, there's nothing wrong with the other eras, but it just happens that my taste tends to stick with Symphonies, Waltzes, Rondos, etc.
In the next few paragraphs, I would like to share with you a few particularities of classicle music, and the points that differentiate it from modern music.
Classicle music can be roughly divided into three eras: Baroque, Classic, and Romantic. The music in each era has its own characteristics that distinguishly separates it from the other two eras. The Baroque era was a important switch from the medieval music, and the word "baroque" literarily mean "roguish". In that era, musicians such as J.S.Bach and G.F.Handel boldly dismissed the form of music before them, and invented their own style of music. In the Classic Era, music as more playful and less related to the church than in the Baroque era. However, the main style in that era was still very stately structured, and with angles and crisp turnings. As we proceed toward the Romantic Era, musicians broke free from the restrictions of church music entirely, and composed according to their feelings and moods. Their music often took the form of Waltz, canon, and Preludes, which deeply and effectively reflected their inner wrolds.
The Baroque Era lasted approximately from the closing of the 16th century to the mid of 18th century. Before this period, musicians composed music according to very strict rules of harmony, and very little creativity was allowed. Lead by Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frederick Handel, composers of the Baroque Era changed the above fact. They inserted much more creativity into their musical works, and a lot more vocal passages were added to the lines of instrumental music. One popular fashion was the Bach Chorale Style, which combined both harmony and desonants into the music to make the final sound suitable for the ear. Music was composed largely based on the SATB, otherwise known as the "Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass" according to the four level of vocal cord. The SATB music was separated into four parts, each accompanied with words for the singing of the choir. The notes in the four parts made up harmonic chords that overlap to achieve a final harmony.
Important composers who contributed significantly to the musical history of this era included: J.S. Bach, C.P.E.Bach, Christian Bach, Geroge Frederick Handel, J.Telemann, and many more. The Bach family in Germany was, at that time, a synonym to "music", with Johann Sebastian at the lead. Most of the composers of that era lived in Germany and Austria, as did most composers of the beginning of the Classic Era.
To listen to some of the Baroque music, and obtain some historical review after a long day of work, just click here to get into the world of Bach, Telemann, etc.
The Classic Era was marked by the music of a number of illustrious composers. They included Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn, Ludwig van Beethoven, and many more. Their music mainly took the form of symphonies, Operas, Sonatas, and other styles that composed of many movements. Particularily, Mozart's works often consisted of a great many movements, no matter what style he wrote under. The works of most Classic composers were elegant and delightful, suitable for chamber music. However, this had one significant exception. Beethoven, who possessed what the critics liked to call a violent nature, differed his style from those of his colleagues. Instead of the elegant features presented in most of their works, Beethoven's compositions tended to be more stormy and roaring. It reflected deeply on his dissatisfaction with the authorities at that time.
Actually, most classic composers, with a few exceptions, still worked under the church, although they rebelliously invented music under their own unique styles. Most of them were very poorly off, and struggled to make ends meet. They were also prosecuted for disobeying the church, and many of them had very tragic ends. For instance, Mozart, the brilliant child prodigy, was forced under the control of the Austrian court, and ruthlessly ill-treated by his colleagues, including the court composer, Antonio Sallieri, an all-time rival of Mozart's. Throughout his life, Mozart never had a lot of money. Even with an occasional large income, he would use it impulsively for a short time, and stay poor after that. He never even had enough money to treat the rheumatic fever, from which he eventually died. After his death, he was buried in a common grave, with no indication on it. This is why today, no one knows the exact location of Mozart's grave.
Despite all the difficult times they went throught, the classic composers built a solid foundation for the later developments in western music. They provided the opening to an all new world of music, from which the Romantic composers were able to utilize fully to accomplish their musical ambitions.
To listen to some of the Classical music, and obtain some sensation after a long day of work, just click here to get into a astounting world of music.
The Romantic Era followed immediately after the Classical Era, but there was no conspicuous division line between the two eras. It was like a swift link between two rivers, or any bodies of water. Most of the composers in the romantic era had studies with masters of the Classical Era, but added a little something to the new style. That little something was to make important linkage between the old style and the modern music, that had arisen since the beginning of the twentieth century.
Chopin, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Wagner, Schubert...All these names echo in the ears of most music lovers as the princes of the Romantic era. Their music expressed what they felt at the time when they were writing the piece. Instead of the block and structured formula used in the Classical era, Romantic composers curved off the edge of these blocks, and added ornaments and decorators to show the smoothness of their music. The Romantic era provided music that were more soothing and calming than ever before. Even Classical composers like Mozart and Haydn, whose works were very elegant and delightful, couldn't compete with the new spirit of the new era.
To listen to some of the Romantic music, and obtain some relaxation after a long day of work, just click here to get into a new world of music.
