The Classical Period marked the rise of a new middle class in Europe, and the subsequent downfall of many ruling noble families. This cultural shift is reflected in the new musical style of the time. Music had been increasing in complexity for many centuries, but in the Classical Period it became simpler. Composers no longer favored the embellishment and virtuosity that was popular in the Baroque period, which was associated with the excesses of monarchies. Instead, they preferred simpler, “cleaner” sounding music, which they saw as a tribute to the great ancient societies of Greece and Rome.

The rise of the middle class had another direct impact on the music scene. The long-standing system of patronage, in which an artist was supported by a wealthy person or institution, began to dissolve. Musicians began to make their careers in a freelance system that was similar to the way musicians earn a living today.

It was during this period that Vienna, Austria became an important cultural center for musicians. Great composers like Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, and Schubert were just a few of the musicians who called the city their home. Musicians came from all over Europe to study here, developing a style that would dominate the music scene for many years to come.

Building on its success in the Baroque period, opera developed into a booming industry. Composers, lyricists (called librettists, and the words that they wrote were called the libretto), and choreographers collaborated on grand productions that could be both dramatic and comedic. The operas of the period had elaborate costumes, large casts, and exciting plot lines – and the singers who performed in them were the celebrities of their time.

The classical symphony was a popular instrumental style of the period. Symphonies are large-scale works for orchestra. They are divided into sections, called movements, which have contrasting themes and tempos. A symphony is similar to a Baroque concerto, but instead of featuring a soloist, a symphony highlights all of the sections of the orchestra: strings, woodwinds, brass, and to a limited degree, percussion.