Mature Classical basic

This is musical typical of Haydn, Mozart + Early Beethoven

In Haydn’s day it was important for a composer to be employed by a family or organisation. This was known as patronage and gave composers freedom to write for specific resources and music for occasions

In 1758 Haydn was engaged as musical director and chamber composer for the Bohemian count. He was put in charge of an orchestra of about 16 musicians. He wrote his first few compositions for them. These were conventional in character however seemed fresh. He only stayed briefly in Bohemian.

He was then invited to enter the service of the Prince of the Austrian empire. This enabled him to write for unlimited resources and made him more mature in his compositions.

It is here that the four movement pattern is established starting with a movement in sonata form followed by slower mvt, minuet then a lively finale.

Mvt 1: Allegro in Sonata form. Sometimes slow introduction. In the tonic key of the work

Mvt 2: Adagio or Andante, in a different key, uses structures such as ABA, theme and variations, or modified sonata form without the development section

Mvt 3: Allegretto and minuet and trio, minuet was a stately dance with the trio more gentle, moderate tempo and in the tonic key, in triple time, overall ABA form often with each section in binary form. Beethoven replaced the minuet with a scherzo which was faster.

Mvt 4: Allegro molto, presto or vivace. In tonic key. In rondo or sonata form (or a combination), faster and lighter than the opening movement. Often features themes of a folk-like character, especially in Haydn’s.

Haydn’s earlier symphonies were more light hearted, he started to incorporate more complexity and drama into the works as the symphony began to be taken more seriously.

Mozart began his career by composing symphonies in the manner of Haydn - soon his individuality and personal genius shone through.

Influenced of the Sturm und drang (storm and stress) mvt can be found in certain works of Haydn, Mozart and others around 1770. This was achieved through contrast in register, dynamics, instability of key and exciting orchestral effects. This could be seen as a precursor to romanticism. Tends to be in stormy minor keys, feature repeated notes and use syncopated rhythms.

In later symphonies, Haydn and Mozart both added more instruments (clarinets, trumpets and timpani).

Their use of harmony, contrapuntal devices and handling of symphonic structure became bolder and more sophisticated

They were the first to perfect the symphonic style and were influenced by each other.