The History of Classical Music: Pythagoras through Beethoven

From the time that Pythagoras discovered the mathematical ratios of harmonic scales, it took the greatest minds over two thousand years to tune the major and minor keys. Pope Gregory I, Charlemagne, Sir Isaac Newton, and lesser-known figures like Guido of Arezzo all contributed to the advancement of the science of music building to the crescendo of Baroque operas. Significant pieces discussed include Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo and J.S. Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier.

The Baroque Era saw the emergence of musical genius in composition and virtuosity in performance. Significant pieces discussed include Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Handel’s Messiah, and Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos, St. Matthew Passion, and fugues.

The Classical Period synthesized opposing Rococo elements into a classic style and explored the capabilities of each instrument by giving each a crucial role in compositions. Significant pieces discussed include Haydn’s “Farewell Symphony” and The Creation, and Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni, The Magic Flute, Requiem, and piano concertos.

The late Classical Period pointed the way to the Romantic Era as composers revolutionized the expression of musical possibilities within the classical structures. Significant pieces of the period include Beethoven’s “Für Elise,” Waldstein Sonata, Appassionata Sonata, Emperor Concerto, and his symphonies, as well as Schubert’s “Erlkönig,” Impromptus, and Unfinished Symphony.

Hyperion Knight performs J.S. Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring,” Two-Part Inventions No. 4 and No. 8, and "Little" Fugue in G Minor, Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major, Mozart’s “Rondo alla Turca” and Eine kleine Nachtmusik, Scarlatti’s Sonata in D Major, Schubert’s “Ave Maria,” and Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata.