Violin sonatas were written in Italy. Also, harpsichords and clavichords had been perfected which were the forerunners of the piano. In 1685-1750 Johann Sebastian Bach became one of the most famous musicians the world has ever known.This man was an organist, violinist, and player of both the harpsichord and clavichord. He composed music, taught it and directed choirs in Leipzig; wrote over 300 cantatas and numerous accomplishments for the organ, harpsichord, clavichord and for small orchestras! George Handel (1685-l759) was a composer, as Bach, but was most well known for composing Italian operas and English oratorios. Joseph Haydn (l732-1809) has often been called the father of the symphony and string quartet.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) who was considered to be the greatest musical genius of all time by many was a classical writer as well as Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827) who wrote Classical and Romanticism. Mozart was known throughout Europe as an infant prodigy and died very young, leaving behind numerous compositions for symphony, sonatas, string quartets, concertos, Masses, and operas. Franz Schubert (1797-1828) was another musical genius. He wrote symphonies, chamber music, piano sonatas and short romantic pieces.He actually wrote more than 600 romantic songs. Karl Maria von Weber (1786-1826) is named the Father of German Opera, and was the first to write them in German romantic as opposed to Italian style.
From 1809 to 1813 there were five marvelous composers who really influenced the history of music. Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (l809-l847) was famous for his piano writings and orchestral music. Robert Schumann (l8l0-l856) wrote romantic piano with descriptive titles. Frederic Chopin (l8l0-l849) was of Polish origin and wrote outstanding piano music.Franz Liszt (l8ll-l886) from Hungry wrote orchestral works---shorter symphonies with descriptive titles; and known to be one of he greatest pianists in the entire world.
He and Hector Berlioz (l803-l869) a Frenchman, aided the development of “program music” which was inspired by a story, legend, event, picture or scene. Berlioz is sometimes called the Father of modern orchestra. Richard Wagner (l8l3-l883) was the greatest German opera composer music reflected the great drama it enhanced.Johannes Brahms (l833-l897) His music reflected that of Beethoven, but was called a neoclassicist that disapproved of romanticism.
He was one of the greatest writers of the l800’s. In the late l800’s, Brukner, Mahler, Wolf, Strauss, and Sibelius were great composers of various styles and Sir Arthur Sullivan, Sir William S. Gilbert and Sir Edward Elgar and Frederick Delius wrote important music. None of this music would have been possible without the introduction of new technology in the design and manufacture of new and more sophisticated musical instruments in the Industrial Revolution.
