The Classical period
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify key musical features of the Classical period.
Key learning points
- Music from the Classical period (1750-1820) has certain defining characteristics.
- These include melody and accompaniment texture, and simple melodies with limited ornamentation and balanced phrasing.
- The orchestra grew larger and, as well as the concerto, the symphony became a key genre. It has four movements.
- The first uses sonata form, with an exposition, development and recapitulation. The third is often a minuet and trio.
- The sonata became a key genre (particularly for keyboard instruments), with three contrasting movements.
Keywords
Classical period - the period of Western classical music between 1750 and 1820
Symphony - a long composition for orchestra, usually consisting of four shorter pieces (movements)
Sonata - a three-movement solo composition, and a structure with exposition, development and recapitulation
Balanced phrasing - melodic phrases which are equal in length and have complementary melodic shapes
Common misconception
Sonata form and a sonata are the same thing.
This is a common misconception. Sonata form is a structure in a piece that has a exposition, development and recapitulation. A sonata is a three-movement composition for solo instrument. The first movement of a sonata is normally in sonata form.
Teacher tip
Where possible, create further opportunities for pupils to consolidate the learning from this lesson through listening activities. Consider exploring Mozart and Haydn's symphonies, concertos and string quartets, and the piano sonatas of Beethoven.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match each term to its meaning.
a structure with exposition, development, and recapitulation
a dance movement in triple time, often the 3rd movement of a symphony
a multi-movement work for orchestra, usually with four movements
a piece for soloist and orchestra
Q2.Which of these best describes melodies in Classical period music?
Q3.Which of these textures is typical of Classical period music?
Q4.The third movement of a Classical symphony was often a __________ and trio.
Q5.How many movements does a Classical symphony usually have?
Q6.A multi-movement composition for a solo instrument, often for keyboard, is called a .
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these correctly describes the first movement of a Classical symphony?
Q2.The section of sonata form where the musical themes are introduced is called the .
Q3.How did orchestras change during the Classical period compared to the Baroque period?
Q4.Match each type of composition to its key feature.
solo instrument with three contrasting movements
four-movement orchestral work
soloist contrasted with an orchestra
dance form in triple time
Q5.Which statement is not true about sonatas and sonata form?
Q6.Which of these was a new genre that became especially important during the Classical period?
To help you plan your 10 music lesson on: The Classical period, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 music lesson on: The Classical period, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 music lessons from the The Western Classical Tradition: extended unit, dive into the full secondary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.