Classical period

During this period many forms became fully established. In particular, the symphony was developed by Mozart and Haydn into a four-movement work and developed from different forms from the Baroque period. Listen to an example of the start of the final movement of Symphony No. 39 by Mozart. and notice a full orchestra of that time of strings, woodwind, French horns and timpani and also notice the frequent imitation between parts and that the section ends with a perfect cadence or musical full stop.

  The solo concerto continued its development, having only just started its existence late in the Baroque period. Many were written in the Classical period, mainly by Mozart, 29 for piano, four for French horn, six for violin, two for flute, and one each for clarinet, oboe, bassoon and others for various combinations of instruments. Listen to the opening of the first movement of the Concerto for Flute in G major.    Notice how the orchestra introduces all the music of the first section, the exposition, which ends with a perfect cadence, before the flute enters and repeats the music from the beginning.

Much music was also written for small groups of performers. This was called chamber music. Here is a complete movement from a string quartet - two violins, a viola and a cello - by Haydn. This is a minuet and trio and contains section A:||:BA:||:C:||:D:|| A|BA. Listen to this version and a voiceover will help you through the shape of the music.

Now listen to the same music without the voice and see if you can identify each section yourself.