Classical Music: The Classical Period

Music Assessment Task 5 Research Project Sungbum Park Beethoven was viewed as a transitional figure of composer between the Classical and Romantic eras of musical history. During the Classical era, the forms such as the concerto and sonata were more heavily defined and given more specific rules. Since Classical era, the Symphony was generally divided into four roughly equal sections, making the use of sonata form more effective. The Symphony No.5 in C minor Op.67, known as Beethoven’s fifth Symphony was composed by Ludwig van Beethoven during 1804 to 1808. It is the one of the well-known composition in classical music and one of the most frequently played Symphonies.

Handel longed to study music from an early age, however, his father refused to allow him, as he didn’t think it would be a very good source of income. Although his father forbade him even to own an instrument, his mother was supportive of his musical endeavours, and so Handel was able to practice playing music in secret with her help. As a young boy, he played the organ for the duke’s court in Weissenfels. There he met Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow, a famous composer and organist. Handel became his pupil, and under Zachow, Handel learned organ, violin, and oboe, by the time he was ten years of age.

His father did what he could for his son so he could become the number one classical pianist in China with long practices, working hard and moving away from home. In Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, it shows you need a number amount of practices to meet a famous point in your life, which Lang Lang 's father had got him to. The sacrifices of his father made the success of Lang Lang now; without his parents sacrifices there would be no Lang Lang. Lang Lang 's mother wanted to be a professional musician; his father wanted stay traveling as a musician in the air force orchestra. Their ambitions ended when they became victims of China 's cultural revolution when they got married.

Henry Purcell later died in 1695 on Marsham Street in his house during the highest point of his career. He was then buried adjacent to the organ in Westminster Abbey. When Purcell was buried he had made music for the queen before when she passed for her funeral music which really moved London strongly. With this same song Henry also had his very own piece played at his funeral. The exact way of Purcell’s death is not truly sure but we do know he died at the age of about 35 to 36 years old.

One of the great works created was Harold en Italie, and its premiere led to Berlioz meeting Paganini, a famous violin virtuoso. After hearing its premiere, Paganini fell to the floor and according to Jacquez Barzun declared that Berlioz “…was a genius destined to carry on the new musical tradition initiated by Beethoven.” The day after this encounter, Paganini sent Berlioz 20,000 francs, along with a letter repeating his judgement. After 1840 Berlioz went on tour across Europe until 1867 when he fell ill. The last of his years were filled with grief, his first wife who he still cared for died in 1854, his second wife Maria Recio died in 1862, then finally his only son died of yellow fever at only age 33. Berlioz died at age 65 on March 8th, 1869 in Paris, France.

American pianist and song writer, Dave Brubeck is best known for his unconventional meters that contributed to his appeal as a Jazz musician. Brubeck 's style ranged from refined to bombastic, reflecting his mother 's attempts at classical training and his improvisational skills. His music has been known for unusual time signatures, and superimposing contrasting rhythms, meters, and tonalities. Born in December of 1920, David Warren Brubeck was the youngest of three boys (Henry and Howard) born to cattle rancher, Peter Brubeck and piano teacher, Elizabeth Brubeck. Originally Brubeck did not intent to be come a musician like his older brothers, that had already begun down that road.

Mozart was on January 27th, 1756 in Salzburg, Austria and was raised in a catholic family by his parents Leopold and Maria Pertl. Mozart was the only male child in his family and Maria Ann. Mozart’s father Leopold was also a professional composer and he trained Mozart and Maria Ann since a very young age. However, due to the social believes in those times, Maria Ann had to give up music leaving Mozart to be the only one continuing his career as a musician. Many claim that Mozart began to compose at an age as early as 5 years old as said by the Bio.

He was the fourth child out of six for this Catholic couple who moved to Linz, the Upper Austrian Capital, in 1898. Hitler always had a passion for the visual arts but his father was outspokenly against it. Alois wanted Adolf to enter the Habsburg civil service, and it wasn’t until Alois’ death that he was able to convince his mother

According to Deutsch et al. (2009), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in 1756 and baptized a day after his birth at St.Ruperts Cathedral in Salzburg. His parents were Leopold and Anna Maria. Mozart 's father was one of the Europe leading music composers, however, he gave up after Mozart talent on music become evident. Mozart was employed by the ruler Salzburg as the court musician, however, he grew more dissatisfied with Salzburg and made more effort to get a job elsewhere.

Wolfgang excelled and showed a strong sense of understanding. Wolfgang learned from different angles his father tried to make his lessons fun since Wolfgang was young. Wolfgang produced over six hundred pieces of music and when he was young he did not play with toys he composed at the age of five because he knew violin and piano. Wolfgang forced relationships while on tour he traveled to europe and met multiple accomplished musicians and became familiar with their work and strategies, one of his important meeting was Johann Christian Bach.