Classical composers in the era of 1750 and 1830

Classical composers in the era of 1750 and 1830

Spanning eighty years, the classical period is a time when composers began pulling in the reigns of the many baroque period musical styles by creating strict compositional "rules and regulations."  Yet within their rigidity, great composers like Haydn and Mozart were able to create some of the greatest classical music the world has ever known, though they weren't the only composers responsible for superb classical period music. Here are a few of the classical composers who were well known in this era:

1.     Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809): Haydn was a remarkable composer, exemplifying the meaning of classical period composition, and his music always stayed true to form.  Haydn, unlike most composers, had a "reliable and steady" job composing, directing, teaching, performing, and managing musicians from the royal Esterhazy family. During this time, Haydn composed many pieces of music for the courtly orchestra to perform. He is often referred to as the "Father of the Symphony" or "Father of the String Quartet."

2.     Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756- 1791): Born in 1756, Mozart began composing at the age of five. Shortly thereafter, he toured with his father and sister. Tragically, Mozart died at the young age of 35.  Yet during his short life span, Mozart greatly advanced classical period music with over 600 compositions.  His compositional style is similar to that of Haydn's, only more flamboyant and often criticized for having "too many notes."

3.     Antonio Salieri (1750- 1825): Salieri was a respected Kapellmeister who was most notable for his contributions to opera, but stopped composing operas in 1804 before composing only church music.  Salieri was friends with Haydn and gave music composition lessons to Ludwig van Beethoven.

4.     Christoph Willibald Gluck (1714- 1787): Gluck revolutionized opera by weaving underlying melodic themes and orchestral passages within the recitatives as they flowed into the arias.  He wrote his scores in line with the opera's text similar to how modern composers compose film scores, and also melded French and Italian operatic styles.  In the late 1760s, Gluck allowed Salieri to study with him and become his protege.

5.     Muzio Clementi (1752-1830): Clementi was a strong and vocal promoter of the piano. Clementi was a master of many musical trades including a performer, composer, publisher, teacher, arranger, and even instrument maker. He traveled extensively throughout Europe, collecting and publishing music manuscripts including those of Beethoven's and selling pianos. He also taught students that went on to teach great composers like Chopin and Mendelssohn. Clementi's most notable body of work includes his compositions for piano: Gradus ad Parnassum

6.     Luigi Boccherini (1743-1805): Luigi Boccherini lived during the same time as Haydn. In fact, their music is so closely related, musicologists often refer to Boccherini as the "wife of Haydn." Unfortunately, Bocchernini's music never surpassed the popularity of Haydn's and he sadly died in poverty. Like Haydn, Boccherini has a prolific collection of compositions, but his most notable works are his cello sonatas and concertos as well as his guitar quintets. However, his most popular and instantly recognizable classical piece of music is his famous Minuet from the string quintet 

7.     Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714- 1788): The second of three sons born to the great composer, Johann Sebastian Bach, was highly revered by Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven. C.P.E. Bach's most valuable contribution to the classical period (and the music world as a whole) was his publication, An Essay on the True Art of Playing Keyboard Instruments. It instantly became the definitive for piano technique. To this day, it is still largely taught throughout the world.

8.     Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770- 1827): Many view Beethoven as the bridge connecting the classical period to the romantic period. Beethoven only wrote nine symphonies. Compare that to Haydn and Mozart, who, combined, wrote over 150 symphonies. What makes Beethoven special was his successful attempt to break the mold of the highly structured and refined rules of classical period composition. His compositions, especially the famous Symphony No. 9, opened the flood gates of composing with emotional abandon.

References: 
-http://classicalmusic.about.com/od/classicalperiod/tp/Top-Classical-Period Composers.htm
-http://study.com/academy/lesson/classical-era-composers-mozart-haydn-beethoven.html