Baroque and Classical Music
The transition of music through different eras has been based on significant factors. Composers and the preference of the audience have played a crucial role in changing the way music is composed and performed. The Baroque and Classical music eras are some of the most common musical eras that have existed. The impact of such eras has continued to be felt up to date with the development of music relying on the characteristics developed during the previous eras. Composers such as Beethoven and Monteverdi also played significant roles in coming up with styles that they deemed essential for the development of music. The Baroque and classical music was composed during eras that had different creative thinking patterns, and the music was different. However, the music from both eras had significant similarities, such as the orchestral and chamber ensemble. The differences between Baroque and classical music are based on the patterns of creative thinking while their similarities are founded on the operatic and chamber ensembles in the composition of the music.
The composers in the Baroque and Classical music eras were responsible for the transition of the genres from one era to another. For example, Monteverdi played a crucial role in contributing towards the transformation of music from the renaissance era to the Baroque era. Initially, music was based on motionless and quiet patterns until the characteristics of the Baroque music era came (Martin, n. p). The name Baroque has its origin from the Italian arts, where the general meaning is decoration. Baroque music was based on decorations and changing the renaissance, as expressed in his Madrigals. Monteverdi contributed towards changing music from modality to tonality through his music compositions found in the Madrigals as well as in his later operas. Generally, Monteverdi rose to prominence in the later years of the renaissance and has therefore been seen as a major contributor towards the transition of music from the renaissance to the Baroque era. The classical music era, on the other side, prides in the contribution of Beethoven, who lived throughout the era and saw the emergence of the romantic music era.
The classical music era was the immediate era after the Baroque era. The two eras had significant similarities, although differences have been found that separated the two eras. The composers in both eras brought to light unknown skills and characteristics that had been overlooked in previous eras. One of the prominent composers in the Baroque era was Beethoven with famous works such as Fur Elise. Beethoven had been introduced to music at a young age by his father against his will. Although Beethoven would resist the efforts of his father, the fruits of Beethoven’s father were to be seen later as Beethoven rose to prominence and contributed immensely towards shaping the Baroque music era. The prowess of Beethoven has been seen throughout the history of music as he has been used as a standard for classicism, and he contributed towards welcoming the romantic music era amid criticism. Beethoven’s repertoire was founded on playing piano, orchestral, chamber, and sacred music that was significantly impacted by the several revolutions that were taking place in Europe. Moreover, classical and baroque music eras have been founded on significant differences. Moreover, the ornamental composition of the music for both eras was different.
Baroque music and classical music have different styles of composition. Baroque music was based on a melodic composition that was highly ornamental. The issue of introducing piano and other music properties contributed to making the music ornamental — composers during the baroque era composed music with a bit of improvisation and familiarity in the musical melody. The composers were expected to be more involved in their music melodies and to come up with ornamental music composition. The practical terms and ornamental possibilities gave the baroque music a different structure from the previous renaissance music.
On the other hand, classical music came to present a different music feature, as presented in the Baroque era. Generally, the composers during the Baroque era were not involved in ornamental music and instead concentrated on the purity of the melodic lines as well as poise. Generally, the difference between the Baroque and classical music eras is based on the ornamental composition and the purity of the melody lines involved (Inglis, n. p). Moreover, the musical notation between the two eras differed significantly, and the composers during the two eras were highly involved in creating an identity for the eras.
The musical notation between the two eras differed significantly and showed significant consideration of the way composers paid attention to the way music was being composed. Classical music was generally based on the way prescription was done to give an identity towards musical notation. On the other side, the baroque composers were given the freedom to choose the baselines that they deemed useful to the composition of their music. Generally, the baroque music paid more attention to the expected performers, and the performers were allowed to choose the lines that fitted their performance. Unlike Baroque music, classical music did not pay attention to the performer. In some cases, the performers were written off from the lines of the composed music where improvisation was expected, as in the case in the baroque music. Moreover, the volume markings presented a significant difference between the two eras.
Moreover, the Baroque and Classical music eras were different in the way volume markings were developed in each era. Volume markings grew significantly common among Classical music and were essential in coming up with expressive possibilities. On the other hand, Baroque music was based on the step approach that brought a remarkable effect on the composition of Baroque music. The transition from the Baroque to Classical music involved several stages and the introduction of moves associated with the previous renaissance music era. Generally, the Baroque was different from Classical music.
In sum, the differences between Baroque and classical music are based on the patterns of creative thinking while their similarities are founded on the orchestral and chamber ensembles in the composition of the music. The composers in the Baroque and Classical music eras were responsible for the transition of the genres from one era to another. The musical notation between the two eras differed significantly and showed significant consideration of the way composers paid attention to the way music was being composed. In some cases, the performers were written off from the lines of the composed music where improvisation was expected, as in the case in the baroque music. Generally, the changing patterns in the composition of music in the Baroque era led to the introduction of Classical music.
Works Cited
Inglis, Brian. “Classical music, copyright and collecting societies.” (2018): 7-31.
Martin, John Rupert. Baroque. Routledge, 2018.