About the time of the American Revolution, European society was also changing. In the arts, the simple lines and elegance of the ancient Greeks and Romans were being used by artists, architects and composers. Like the architecture of this time, music of the Classical period presented clean lines and was uncluttered and balanced in form.
This was in contrast to the Baroque period that preceded it with exaggeration and complex detail that glorified those who paid for it - kings, queens and wealthy business people. During this period of Enlightenment the political rallying cry was Jean Jacques Rousseau’s “Back to nature.”
Western History, Greek democracy, and the Roman Republic were seen as models for the new age of Enlightenment. Eighteenth century artists and musicians were inspired by the ideals of beauty, order and simplicity from this ancient time, and tried to return to those ideals.
This philosophical movement originated in France by those who wanted to build systems of government free of tyranny. It was an important time that restored government to a process allowing for creativity and diversity. It was under this influence that the American Revolution was born. Eventually victory over the British created a new country, the United States of America, founded on the idea that all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights. The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776, America’s Independence Day. Powerfully written by Thomas Jefferson, it expressed the ideals of the Classical period and inspired the French Revolution (1789-1799).
The composers of the classical period were Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791), and early works by Beethoven (1770-1827). Some historians include music by all composers from the mid-1700s to the early 1800s as part of the Classical period.
During this time changes in the political structure of society allowed for the emergence of a wealthy middle class who could afford to buy concert tickets. This meant that composers no longer had to rely on rich patrons for financial support. They began to market their music to a larger audience who enjoyed simpler melodies they could remember. Composers gained popularity by writing music that would be easily identified with their name. It was during the classical period that the Sonatina, or “little” Sonata, was perfected.
With a Main Theme, followed by a Variation of this theme and finishing with a restatement (or Recapitulation) of the theme, it was simpler and more memorable than the longer Sonata Form. A favorite of piano students today is Muzio Clementi’s Sonatina, Op.36, No. 3.
Playing sonatinas is a great way for piano students to appreciate simplicity and the spirit of creativity that inspired the emergence of free nations.
Here is a quote from a Greek philosopher, Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)
“Music has the power of producing a certain effect on the moral character of the soul, and if it has the power to do this, it is clear the young must be directed to music and must be educated in it.”
So, take it from this wise guy - Encourage your students or children in piano to play piano sonatinas, and develop simplicity and creativity in their playing - and their character!
If you or a piano student you know would like to learn more about the Classical period, email cindy@tallypiano for a bibliography of music history literature written for piano students.
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