page_title: Classical period (music)
section_title: Classical period instruments
hierarchical_section_title: Classical period (music) / Classical period instruments
caption_attribution_description: English: Photo of a replica en:fortepiano made by Paul McNulty, following an 1804 original by the Viennese maker Anton Walter. Photo from Mr. McNulty's website (http://www.fortepiano.eu/). Permission was obtained from Mr. McNulty under the GFDL license by email correspondence, which is repeated below: Dear [Opus33's email name omitted], I hereby authorize the Wikipedia to use my photograph posted at http://www.fortepiano.eu/images/2_instruments/2/ff-c4.jpg, under the GNU Free Documentation License Sincerely Paul McNulty and Viviana Sofronitzki paul@fortepiano.eu www.fortepiano.eu viviana@sofronitzki.com www.sofronitzki.com Tyrsovo namesti 128 25726 Divisov, Czech Republic Tel: +420 317 855 286 Fax: +420 317 855 035 mobile:+420 737 927 567
context_page_description: The Classical period was an era of classical music between roughly 1730 and 1820.
  The Classical period falls between the Baroque and the Romantic periods. Classical music has a lighter, clearer texture than Baroque music and is less complex. It is mainly homophonic, using a clear melody line over a subordinate chordal accompaniment, but counterpoint was by no means forgotten, especially later in the period. It also makes use of style galant which emphasized light elegance in place of the Baroque's dignified seriousness and impressive grandeur. Variety and contrast within a piece became more pronounced than before and the orchestra increased in size, range, and power.
  The harpsichord was replaced as the main keyboard instrument by the piano. Unlike the harpsichord, which plucks strings with quills, pianos strike the strings with leather-covered hammers when the keys are pressed, which enables the performer to play louder or softer and play with more expression; in contrast, the force with which a performer plays the harpsichord keys does not change the sound. Instrumental music was considered important by Classical period composers.
caption: Fortepiano by Paul McNulty after Walter & Sohn, c. 1805
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