In the classical period of Western music, the late eighteenth century, composers were commissioned by patrons, the owners of orchestras: essentially the church, the nobility, and the Opera houses. Beethoven was able to earn enough from publications and public concerts to break out of the patronage relationship, though he was not the first; Marenzio in the sixteenth century and Telemann in the early eighteenth were notable earners, and travelling performer-composers could always have some independence.
Before it was easy to go to concerts, get recordings, etc. it was very hard to actually hear lots of classical music. Piano transcriptions were a way for people to bring music to their home that they liked, and play it for themselves. Plus, composers (and the arrangers) would make more money selling these transcriptions than simply making money from concerts.
One main thing unites the composers of all the eras: the use of a symphonic orchestra. All of them used classical instruments (from violin, to flute, to French horn, to tympani...). NO electronic stuff. Not until the 1900s did electricity have any use to making music. Another point could also be the vast majority were men. Also, many came from somewhat rich families (how could a poor person have enough money to take music lessons, obtain musical instruments, or go into a conservatory for that matter?).
Composers often worked for royalty, as Mozart did, and were quite rich and high in society as a result. Italian composers tended to be the most respected at this time. Mozart, however, was an exception to this rule. He lost most of his money through various debts and wasn't given much in the first place due to his humble background. He was also Austrian, and therefore other composers tended to discriminate against him.
Most baroque composers were employed by councils, schools, churches, courts and noblemen. They had to serve and work the way it was written in a contract, and therefore there were numerous restrictions to what they could or could not do. Most of them were forced to use their creativeness within the narrow margins imposed by their public charge or the private tastes of their masters. Besides, they could earn some extra money by teaching a number of private pupils, or through the sales of their published works (generally dedicated to powerful patrons). A few fortunate could make a decent living as opera composers or giving public concerts which were normally arranged after subscription. Even so, their art was completely subjected to the changing taste of the public.
Some of the very best, and I suggest you listen to some. The "classical era" ran from about 1750 to about 1815 when it transitioned into the Romantic period with the likes of Brahms and Beethoven. Really that is the period for "Classical Music" although people tend to refer to any orchestral music from about 1500 to today as "Classical Music" It was defined as classical music because all the arts, including architecture, of that period was influenced by classical Greek style and the composers felt they wanted to try to get the feel too. The main composers of the period are Mozart and Haydn. Their music, for the most part, was written to be played by groups of musical friends because there was no tv back then, so although they both wrote full-sized symphonies and concertos for just about every instrument (Mozart was said to have hated the flute but he wrote plenty of music for it) there are many many pieces for quartets (4 people) and quintets (5) and up to as many as a nonet (9). One of the advantages of the new music era is that there are billions of inexpensive "classical CDs" of Mozart and Haydn for 3 or 4 bucks each, and you should get some. If you start with a "Best of" CD you'll get a good taster to decide if you want the full version. I strongly suggest you go buy the Mozart Clarinet Concerto in A Major, which also comes with a couple of smaller pieces, usually the Clarinet Quintet or the Oboe Quintet. Also look for something that has the Piano Concerto 21, although the second movement is usually referred to as Elvira Madigan, as it was used in a film of that name and it usually turns up on any decent Mozart sampler. Mozart wrote some 41 symphonies, the first when he was aged 6 and they are all quite different, bit all light and melodic, which is typical of "classical music" of the classical period. Hayden wrote over 100. In general when you go on your buying spree I would initially stay away from things like the trios (3 people) as these I feel are alway better suited for playing (which is why they were commissioned...for friends to get together and play some "new" music together than for listening. You should also try getting hold of some DVDs of some of the operas if you want to try something new. The Marriage of Figaro is quite funny (I just saw Puccini's The Barber of Seville, which was awesomely clever and funny as hell). "Classical Music" (that is to say orchestral music) of the Romantic era is much different; it is not so lyrical and light as that of Mozart, but no less beautiful at times. Beethoven wrote 9 symphonies, the 9th being the most famous by far with the choral ending, and the 5th, but for my money the best and most beautiful is the 6th. Bargain CDs can often be found with both the 5 and 6 together, although for something of such monumental power, I would suggest you just trust me on this one and find a major label version like Deutsche Gramophon by the Berlin Philharmonic conducted by someone like Karajan. It will rip your skin off. Don't go too far back for a "famous" version like one conducted by someone like Toscannini; it's fine for the collector, but they are too old to make really good CD copies, so look for something with an original recording date within the last 20 years or so. Beethoven was a ferocious piano player, and he wrote 5 monumental piano concertos; try the #3 for pyrotechnics and the 5 for heartstopping beauty. Again, you can probably find a pair of them on one CD. There are books on this stuff 6 inches thick, so that's all you get from me
Before it was easy to go to concerts, get recordings, etc. it was very hard to actually hear lots of classical music. Piano transcriptions were a way for people to bring music to their home that they liked, and play it for themselves. Plus, composers (and the arrangers) would make more money selling these transcriptions than simply making money from concerts.
yes it is illegal to download any music from Internet because you can go to prison and pay some money for police
Merchants made money by selling goods or trading goods.
Yes. During the critical period (1783 - 1793) following the Revolutionary War and until George Washington became president, states issued their own paper money. Most of this money was nearly worthless.
One main thing unites the composers of all the eras: the use of a symphonic orchestra. All of them used classical instruments (from violin, to flute, to French horn, to tympani...). NO electronic stuff. Not until the 1900s did electricity have any use to making music. Another point could also be the vast majority were men. Also, many came from somewhat rich families (how could a poor person have enough money to take music lessons, obtain musical instruments, or go into a conservatory for that matter?).
the amount of money you actually earn during a given pay period
recreational is for fun and classical is more competitive and costs more money
the amount of money you actually earn during a given pay period...
a plan for saving and spending different amounts of money during a given time period
the amount of money you actually earn during a given pay period
renaissance was a period in time in southern Europe. money at that time was called by many names in different parts of the world
Revenue