The Classical period 1750 - 1820

1. The Classical period 1750 - 1820

2. Final years of absolute monarchy in France • Prior to this era European states were ruled by Kings and Queens – authority of God • Most powerful ruler had been King Louis XIV “Sun King” and the next two Louis’ XV and XVI • People felt they were incompetent – led to the French Revolution (1789-1799) – upper class thrown out of power • Other ruling monarchs: Catherine the Great, Frederick the Great, Empress Maria Theresa • They understood the need of reform and changed without revolution Political background

3. People looked to the age of philosophers such as Voltaire, Rousseau and John Locke • They believed in human reason and the ability to understand the laws governing society – government should be run by the consent of people not by hereditary • Out of these beliefs came the American Revolution – original 13 colonies in North America under rule of British monarchy • Declaration of Independence signed 1776 – “all created equal... Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness” The age of enlightenment

4. Led a group that was unhappy with revolutionary governments – seized power by force • Did many good things – established Bank of France, the French education system and the Napoleonic code • But then... 1804... Crowned himself Emperor of France going back to absolute monarchy (what people had fought so hard to remove) • By 1812, Napoleon has conquered most of Europe • Became too ambitious and invaded Russia and was wiped out due to weather • Previously conquered countries fought back and exiled Napoleon Napoleon bonaparte 1799

5. Early Classical era Europe was made up of aristocrats (land owners), a small middle class (merchants, lawyers, doctors, bankers), and the poor (crafts people, servants, farm labourers) • Literacy was spreading – no longer just for the aristocrats and the church • More people moved to the middle class and gained power – more people to buy books, paintings, sculpture, go to concerts • People could afford things that had only been available to the rich • Still had no electricity, running water – travelled by carriage Rise of the the middle class

6. 18th Century valued intellectual achievement • The salon was a gathering at the home of a fashionable woman – social seminars, art, music, books discussed • The way for women to have some influence in a society run by men • Discussed ideas in a way you could not elsewhere • Ideas of a philosopher, music of a new composer, a new book • Salons and invitations to them was a sign of social acceptance Women • Poor women had no rights – considered the property of their husbands or fathers • Women did write, paint and compose – only a few had works published • Jane Austen - • In musical life: teachers, singers, authors of instruction manuals, patrons, organized musical events The Salon and women of the classical era

7. Encyclopaedia – produced by thinkers of the Enlightenment – intended to contain all human knowledge – authorities saw it as a threat and banned it – continued to be published in secret • 1765 – 17 volumes of text, 11 of diagrams • Industrial Revolution – late 1700s, inventions were revolutionizing the way work was done – e.g. Spinning Jenny – 1764 – spin 120 spindles at once instead of a single person doing one at a time • Steam Engine – perfected (not invented) – could power the Jennies, ran locomotives • Change from rural, farm-based to urban, industrial • Revolution started in Great Britain and spread around Europe and to America • Lightening rod, false teeth, steel-nibbed pens, hot air balloon, battery, stethoscope Science and thought

8. Rococo Style – artistic fashion changed from emotionally charged, majestic of the Baroque to something lighter – modification of Baroque style • Rococo = “rock-work” – used curved lines like sea shells, flowers, seaweed • Paris the centre for new styles – then spread around Europe • Pastel colours became more popular than majestic red and purple • No longer to impress and terrify but just for pleasure Arts and architecture

9. Greek ideals reflected • Reserved, still life (fruit) • Transitionary period between Romantic and Baroque • Portraits – political, wealthy families • Inspired by logic and symmetry of Roman art • Not very original • Rembrandt – portraits, religious themes Painting

10. Discoveries of ancient Greece and Rome being made • Artists inspired by these societies – belief in the natural goodness of man • Rococo seen as trivial and silly compared with ancient simplicity • Architecture – Napoleon wanted to turn Paris into the new Rome – commissioned the Arc de Triumph Neoclassical style

11. Baroque era musicians worked under the Patronage system – worked in the court of a king or other aristocracy or the church – wrote what was needed • Difficult to make money any other way but times were changing • Haydn worked for Princes Esterhazy but was given permission to publish his own music – later allowed to travel and live on his own • Mozart began working for a church but didn’t want to be told what to write – left to publish his own works and put on concerts • Beethoven supported by rich patrons but was not told what to write Life of a musician

12. Rise of the middle class led to more people interested in music – could afford to go to public concerts • Orchestras formed, newspapers advertised, critiques were written • Concerts were very long – one or two symphonies played, vocal works and a concerto • Audiences expected all new works at every concert – Beethoven was the first to think people would want to hear his works repeated Music at Home • Rise of the middle class led to more amateur musicians – wanted lessons and music they could play • The ability to play the piano was seen as an important social asset for women • People wanted music to be less complex, easier to play, lighter, clearer, more accessible • Balance and proportion were important – short phrases, regular patterns, lyrical melodies accompanied by chords – major/minor keys The concert hall and the home