Lesson 9: Classical Period Composers 1750-1830

Where and when was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart born?

He was born in Salzburg, Austria, on January 27, 1756.

Who taught Mozart music, and at what age did he begin composing?

His father, Leopold Mozart, was his teacher. Mozart began composing at age five.

What were some of Mozart’s major operas composed with Lorenzo Da Ponte?

The Marriage of Figaro and Don Giovanni.

What position did Mozart hold under Emperor Joseph II?

He was the chamber composer for Emperor Joseph II starting in 1787.

What were two of Mozart’s most famous late works?

The Magic Flute and his unfinished Requiem.

Who was C.P.E. Bach’s famous father?

Johann Sebastian Bach.

How did C.P.E. Bach’s music differ from others of his time?

It was more expressive, dramatic, and unpredictable, bridging Baroque and Classical styles.

What major musical treatise did he write?

Essay on the True Art of Playing Keyboard Instruments.

What position did he take after leaving the service of Frederick the Great?

Director of music in Hamburg, succeeding his godfather, Georg Philipp Telemann.

Which composers were influenced by C.P.E. Bach’s work?

Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven.

When and where was Franz Joseph Haydn born?

He was born on March 31, 1732, in Austria.

How did Haydn begin his musical training?

A cousin who was a choirmaster invited him to live with him, where he learned basic music skills and sang in a choir.

What major struggle did Haydn face at age 17?

He had no money, no job, and no home, so he survived through odd jobs while studying music on his own.

For which wealthy family did Haydn serve as musical director?

He worked for the Esterházy family, where he composed, conducted, and coached singers.

What types of music did Haydn create during his lifetime?

He wrote 108 symphonies, 68 string quartets, nearly 200 trios, 20 operas, 47 piano sonatas, and more.

When was Franz Schubert born, and which eras did his music bridge?

He was born on January 31, 1797, and his music transitioned from the Classical to early Romantic era.

What musical form is Schubert credited with developing?

He is credited with creating the lied, a German song for solo voice with piano accompaniment.

Why did Schubert leave college?

His voice changed, so he could no longer serve as a choir vocalist.

How did Schubert support himself after leaving the teaching profession?

He composed full-time, offered songs by subscription, and wrote popular dances for aristocratic gatherings.

What is notable about Schubert’s final year of life?

He produced many major works, grew more financially stable, and finally purchased his own piano.

When was Ludwig van Beethoven born, and what eras did he influence?

He was born on December 16, 1770, and his work spans both the Classical and Romantic eras.

How did Beethoven begin his music career?

He studied with court musicians, became an assistant organist, and published his first piece at age 13.

Which famous composers influenced Beethoven’s development?

He studied under Haydn and was influenced by the expressive music of C.P.E. Bach.

How did Beethoven’s deafness affect his career?

His deafness worsened over time, causing isolation and slower composition, but his works grew more complex.

What types of compositions is Beethoven known for?

He composed nine symphonies, thirty-two piano sonatas, one opera, five piano concertos, and chamber music.