The important musical change in the mid-18th century from the Baroque to the Classical style had an affect on the concerto. The concerto still persisted as a musical piece, which displayed the virtuosity of the performer. Most concertos where written for violin or piano. These instruments were favoured by two of the prominent classical composers, Mozart and Beethoven. .
During the classical era the concerto grew longer. The classical concerto's form reflected a settlement among the traditional ritornello form, the desires for virtuosic display, and the new style and forms being developed in the symphony. First movements were assembled with a modification of the ritornello form. The first ritornello and the first solo section resembled in the exposition section of the first movement of a symphony; the rest of the movement also advanced like a symphony's first movement. The last movement was generally a rondo in which the soloist played a recurring refrain. .
Mozart.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in 1756 in Salzburg. Mozart was a centrally significant composer of the classical era. Mozart was educated by his father, Leopold Mozart. His father was an already accomplished musician. He started composing at a very young age. At a child's age Mozart was possessed with a comprehensive command of the practical possessions of musical composition as well as an original imagination. His instrumental works include symphonies, divertimentos, sonatas, chamber music, concertos, church music and operas. Mozart's music combines an Italian influence, with clear and graceful melody and a German influence for formality and creativity. Thus Mozart's music reflects the Classical style of the 18th century being concise and well balanced while at the same time developing ideas to a point of emotionally fulfilling richness.
Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra in A major, K.622.
Mozart's clarinet concerto was written for his friend, Anton Stadler.
