Part 4/7:
However, the intricate complexities of the Baroque style eventually gave way to a new Classical style that emerged in the late 18th century. This period, marked by composers like Haydn and Mozart, embraced a notable simplification of harmony and melody. The music began to focus on more accessible forms and established genres, such as the symphony and string quartet, becoming nourishment for the intellect during the Enlightenment.
In this era, the complexity of counterpoint was replaced with clarity and the dominance of melody. The size of musical ensembles shrank, embodying a decluttered aesthetic that allowed for a more straightforward expression of musical ideas.