Discuss Beethoven being the pivotal role betqween the Classical and Romantic genres.

Discuss the pivotal role Beethoven played between the Classical and Romantic genres. The term 'Classical' music, for the majority of people, covers all aspects of music which is not popular or folk; it is thought of as 'high brow' and inaccessible. However, to the music historian, it has specific meaning in relation to style and period1. Classical music, dated from approximately 1760 to 1810, succeeded the Baroque genre, which is noted for its very complex and ornate musical texture and precedes the Romantic era. Romanticism, dated approximately from 1810 to 1890, it is a term used in music to describe an extensive range of works2. By necessity, these dates have to be approximated because there will always be an overlap between one genre and the next; obviously there cannot be a clear cut-off point and "in purely musical respects, certain genres and forms are common to both Classicism and Romanticism."3 During the Classical period, the form of music changed and the world saw the development of the concerto, sonata and symphony, the latter credited as the creation of Haydn, together with the string quartet and the instrumentation patterns within a piece of music. The themes of a piece were recapitulated, that is, repeated

This feeling of tension and forward motion typified the beginning of the Romantic genre. Research has shown that Mozart was both a passionate and frustrated composer; the passion is clearly evident in his music and the frustration caused by the limitations imposed upon him by his employers, limitations from which Beethoven was free, as he was never short of patronage. ------------------------------------------------------------------------Bibliography. Hypothetically, had Mozart not died so unexpectantly, at so young an age, or had he lived at a later date, perhaps his work would have played the pivotal role. Beethoven though, was not necessarily a greater composer than Haydn or Mozart. There are four movements in this symphony, as would be expected, unlike the Sixth, which has five. It begins with these three short notes, followed by a longer, lower note; the rhythmic motif being repeated in the orchestra, but played at a lower pitch, with even the long note being augmented rhythmically. At the time of Beethoven's birth, Mozart was only fourteen years old and had completed his third opera, Mitridate. Arguably, it would normally be accepted that a composer would fit into one or another of these periods of music, Haydn and Mozart are identified as belonging to the Classical period, and for example, Schumann and Tchaikovsky, among many others, belong to the Romantic genre. This serves to hold the listener in suspense, whilst preparing us for the "relentless drive"28 which is to follow. Historically, Beethoven lived in turbulent times; the French Revolution of 1789 destroyed much of the old order and introduced new ideas, which led to a great upheaval among the people of Europe13. However, the history and meaning behind this symphony is much more complex, "it is bound up with Beethoven's awareness of his growing deafness"15. The woodwind section of the orchestra is given equal prominence and furthermore, can be hears in a sudden, hushed interlude in the mini development of the Second Movement and in a strong dialogue with the strings during the development of the Fourth Movement. Listening to the Fifth Symphony can be equated with a ride on a rollercoaster; it is both exhausting and exhilarating, at one and the same time, bringing forth from the listener a whole range of emotions.