Which musical era directly precedes the Classical Era?

The Baroque Era directly precedes the Classical Era in the chronological progression of Western classical music history. The Baroque Era, which roughly spans from 1600 to 1750, is characterized by its ornate musical forms, elaborate ornamentation, and the development of new genres such as opera, concerto, and sonata. Composers like Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel, and Antonio Vivaldi were prominent figures of this time, significantly influencing the musical landscape.

By contrast, the Classical Era, occurring from about 1750 to 1820, emphasizes clarity, balance, and structure, showcasing a transition towards simpler textures and the development of forms such as the symphony and string quartet. This era is marked by composers like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn, and Ludwig van Beethoven. Understanding the relationship between these two periods helps contextualize the evolution of musical style and practices in Western music, illustrating how the innovations and complexities of the Baroque paved the way for the more structured and formalized approaches found in the Classical Era.