Composers Beyond Their Time How different would the world of musical composition be if it were not for the ingenious talents of Mozart and Beethoven? The Classical Era sought many new changes worldwide. With the affects of the American Revolution (1775-1783) and the French Revolution (1789-1799) towards the political realm and the advancements of scientific discovery in electricity and medicine, change seemed to be inevitable (K. Fourney, J. Machlis, 150). This age of revolution would indefinitely alter music with the birth of two of the greatest composers that ever lived, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven. Although together these composers developed what would be the basis of classism and romanticism, both shared similarities
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Both composers living and developing in the Classical Era, coupled with Haydn, became the masters of the Viennese School. Their goals were to explore, challenge, question, and create new forms of classical music as we know them today. Together, these composers created the “solo and duo sonata, the trio and quartet, the concerto, and the symphony” (K. Fourney, J. Machlis, 152). At the age of 17, Beethoven actually performed for Mozart in which Mozart seemed impressed at the skill and knowledge of his predecessor. Both having musical fathers, Mozart and Beethoven were greatly influenced by their fathers and paraded around to entertaining others. Although Mozart was actually commissioned to play for the archbishop of Salzburg, both gentlemen served for the princes and royalty in courts at one point or another in their musical careers. Being born in different countries, each pursued work in Vienna and the surrounding areas. Each being exceptional maestros, they shared an interest and love for the harpsichord and keyboard instruments. Styles in composition being similar in nature, both followed an unspoken structure of music agreed by Mozart, Beethoven, and Haydn, they developed the sonata form with a characteristic of “elegant, lyrical melodies” (K. Forney, J. Machlis, 153). The clearly illustrated harmonies and chords were constructed from
Both composers living and developing in the Classical Era, coupled with Haydn, became the masters of the Viennese School. Their goals were to explore, challenge, question, and create new forms of classical music as we know them today. Together, these composers created the “solo and duo sonata, the trio and quartet, the concerto, and the symphony” (K. Fourney, J. Machlis, 152). At the age of 17, Beethoven actually performed for Mozart in which Mozart seemed impressed at the skill and knowledge of his predecessor. Both having musical fathers, Mozart and Beethoven were greatly influenced by their fathers and paraded around to entertaining others. Although Mozart was actually commissioned to play for the archbishop of Salzburg, both gentlemen served for the princes and royalty in courts at one point or another in their musical careers. Being born in different countries, each pursued work in Vienna and the surrounding areas. Each being exceptional maestros, they shared an interest and love for the harpsichord and keyboard instruments. Styles in composition being similar in nature, both followed an unspoken structure of music agreed by Mozart, Beethoven, and Haydn, they developed the sonata form with a characteristic of “elegant, lyrical melodies” (K. Forney, J. Machlis, 153). The clearly illustrated harmonies and chords were constructed from