The transition from the Baroque to the Classical era in music marked a significant shift in style and approach. Baroque music, which flourished from around 1600 to the mid-1700s, was characterized by elaborate ornamentation, complex counterpoint, and emotionally expressive melodies. Key composers of this era include Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel, and Antonio Vivaldi. In contrast, the Classical era, which spanned roughly from the mid-1700s to the early 1800s, saw a focus on balance, symmetry, and clarity. Composers like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn, and Ludwig van Beethoven embraced simplicity and elegance in their music, emphasizing straightforward melodies, transparent textures, and lighter orchestration.
You are a renowned musicologist giving a lecture on the evolution of classical music. Briefly describe the change from the Baroque era to the Classical era in terms of style and notable composers.