What is the difference between the Baroque period and Classical period?

Baroque Period Dates: 1600-1750 Instruments: Importance of the harpsichord / Focus on stringed instuments Orchestra: Small in size (25 or less instruments) Texture: Often complex and polyphonic Key Features: Composers and suggested listening: Bach (Brandenburg Concerto No 5 - 3rd Movement), Vivaldi (The Four Seasons) and Handel (Zadok the Priest) Classical Period Dates: 1750-1820 Instruments: More woodwind, brass and percussion (invention of the clarinet etc...) Orchestra: Bigger in size and now standardized Texture: Homophonic (melody with accompaniment) Key features: Frequent changes of dynamics, mood and timbre compared to the Baroque period Composers and suggested listening: Mozart (Clarinet Concerto) and Beethoven (Moonlight Sonata)

Answered by David C. Music tutor

10468 Views

See similar Music GCSE tutors

Related Music GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Identify three features of melody, harmony and/or instrumentation used in Haydn: Symphony No. 100 in G major, ‘Military’, that is typical of the music of the Classical period?


When listening to a extract of music, what features should we be looking out for?


I find it really hard to dictate a melody, do you have any tips?


What are the key features of expressionist music?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences