Critical Thinking Questions 1. What are the characteristics of the music of the Classical period?

2. How does the music of the Classical period differ from the music of the Baroque period?

3. Choose one of the composers discussed in the lesson and listen to some of his work. Which pieces did you listen to? How would you describe these pieces of music? What makes the music characteristic of the Classical era?

4. What social and cultural influences impacted the music of the Classical period? Do you think today’s music is influenced by social and cultural factors? Why or why not?

5. What was important about Vienna during the Classical period?