Unity of Mood:

A baroque piece is famous for its doctrine of mood. What is happy will be happy throughout and what is sad
continues to the end. Composers moulded the musical language to fit moods and affections. Some definite rhythms
and melodic patterns are used to define certain moods and expressions.
The prime exception of this characteristics is an exception to this baroque principle of the unity of mood. Drastic
changes of emotions in the text may inspire corresponding changes in music. But even in such cases, the certain
mood continue for quite some time before it changes to another.
Rhythm:
Unity of mood in baroque is first conveyed by the continuity of rhythm. Rhythmic patterns heard at the beginning of
the piece is reiterated many times throughout the piece. This relentless drive compelled the music to push forward.
This forward motion is hardly ever interrupted. The beat are also far more distinct in baroque music.
Melody:
Baroque music creates a feeling of continuity. An opening melody will be heard over and over again in the course of
the piece. Even if the character of the piece is constant, the passage is varied. Many baroque melodies are complex
and elaborate. They are not easy to sing or play. Baroque melodies give and impression of dynamic expansion rather
than balance and symmetry. It gives a whole feeling of a jumble yet a theme is distinctly heard.
Terraced Dynamics:
Paralleling the continuity of mood, the dynamics of the piece also stay constant for some period of time before it
shifts to another level. When the dynamics shift, it is sudden like physically stepping of a step. Therefore, terraced
dynamics are a distinctive quality of baroque music. Gradual changes such as crescendo and decrescendos are
unheard of this is partly due to the fact that the manuals of the keyboards instrument then were able to provide only
the loud or the soft sound. They were not able to provide the in between sound.
Texture:
Late baroque music are often and predominantly polyphonic in texture : two more melodic lines compete for the
listeners attention. Usually the soprano and the bass line is more important and imitation between various lines is
very common. A melodic line that happen in one voice will happen in other voices as well. However, this was not
strict during Bachs and Handels time short snatches of homophonic pieces may also occur.
Basso continuo and figure bass:
In any baroque piece, it is common to see figures basses, little numbers at the bottom of the stave, it indicates the
chords that the basso continuo player must play.
The basso continuo consists of the cello and the harpsichord.



CONTRAST OF MOOD:
A Classical composition will fluctuate in mood. Not only there are contrasting themes within a movement, but there
also may be striking contrasts even within a single theme. Mood in classical music may change gradually or
suddenly, expressing conflicting surges of elation and depression. But such conflict and contrast are under the firm
control of the classical composer. Masters like Haydn and Beethoven were able to impart unity and logic to music of
wide emotional range.
RHYTHM:
In Classical music, there is a flexibility of rhythm. A classical composition has a wealth of rhythmic patterns. The
classical style also includes unexpected pauses, syncopations, and frequent changes from long notes to shorter ones.
And the change from one pattern of note lengths to another may be either sudden or gradual.
TEXTURE:
Classical music is basically homophonic. However, texture is treated as flexibly as rhythm. Pieces shift smoothly or
suddenly from one texture to another. A work may begin homophonically with a melody and simple accompaniment
but then change to a more complex polyphonic texture that features two simultaneous melodies or melodic
fragments imitated among the various instruments.
MELODY:
Classical melodie are among the most tuneful and easy to remember. The themes of even highly sophisticated
compositions may have a folk or popular flavour. Occasionally, composer simply borrowed popular tunes, but more
often, they wrote original themes with a popular character. Classical melodies often sound balanced and symmetrical
because they are frequently made up of two phrases of the same length. The second phrase, in such melodies, may
begin like the first, but it will end more conclusively and it will be easier to sing.
DYNAMICS AND THE PIANO:
The Classical composers' interest in expressing shades of emotion led to the widespread use of gradual dynamic
change - crescendo (gradually getting louder) and diminuendo ( gradually getting softer). They did not restrict
themselves to the terracd dynamics characteristic of Baroque music. During the period, the desire for gradual
dynamic change led to the replacement of the harpsichord by the piano. By varying the finger pressure on the keys, a
pianist can play more loudly or softly. Although the piano was invented around 1700, it began to replace the
harpsichord only around 1775.
THE END OF BASSO CONTINUO:
The basso continuo was gradually abandoned during the classical period. One reason why the basso continuo
became obsolete was that more and more music was written for amateurs, who could not master the difficult art of
improvising from a figured bass. Also, classical composers wanted more control; they preferred to specify an
accompaniment rather than trust the judgement of improvisers.
The Main Characteristics of Classical Music
1. Less complicated texture than Baroque (more homophonic).
2. Emphasis on beauty, elegance and balance.
3. More variety and contrast within a piece than Baroque (dynamics, instruments, pitch,
tempo, key, mood and timbre).
4. Melodies tend to be shorter than those in baroque, with clear-cut phrases, and clearly
marked cadences.
5. The orchestra increases in size and range. The harpsichord fails out of use. The
woodwind becomes a self-contained section.
6. The piano takes over, often with Alberti bass accompaniment.
7. Importance was given to instrumental music - sonata, trio, string quartet, symphony,
concerto.
8. Sonata form was the most important design.
The Main Characteristics of Romantic Music
1. Freedom of form and design. It was more personal and emotional.
2. Song-like melodies (lyrical), as well as many chromatic harmonies and discords.
3. Dramatic contrasts of dynamics and pitch.
4. Big orchestras, due mainly to brass and the invention of the valve.
5. Wide variety of pieces (i.e. songs up to five hour Wagner operas)
6. Programme music (music that tells a story)
7. Shape was brought to work through the use of recurring themes.
8. Great technical virtuosity.
9. Nationalism (a reaction against German influence)