Why did the Classical Era end?
Bear in mind that the Romantic Era probably started around 1820, or so. Of course, there is no set time when people said “OK folks, this is now the Romantic Era!” Thus, when you say you perfer Mozart over Beethoven (such as the said Symphonys) they both were composed in the Classical Era. Beethoven’s death is said to be the end of the Classical Era. Of course, as stated above, no one said when each period really ended/started. One of the main characteristics of the Classical Era was staying inside the box. Form form form! Composers rarely stepped out of the box to express themselves. If it was a first movement, it should be in Sonata-Allegro form! However, there was a change (see: Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony when he put a chorus in there! Gah, that rebel!) People then realized that they could whatever they wanted to in music. Heck, if Beethoven could, why can’t we? So, there was shift in thinking. People stepped out of the box and composed music how they wanted to. (who needs Sonata-All
