The Enlightenment was a time from the late 1600s to the 1800s that changed how classical music was made. During this time, music started to focus on ideas like reason, clarity, and balance. Composers began to write their music to fit these Enlightenment ideas, which changed how classical music was structured and sounded.

Key Influences on Classical Composition:

1. New Forms of Music:

   • During the Enlightenment, new types of music like the Symphony, Sonata, and String Quartet were created.
   • The sonata-allegro form became the most popular structure for music, with around 70% of songs using it.
   • The ABA form was often used in dances like the Minuet and Trio, showing symmetry and balance that were important in that time.

2. Focus on Clarity and Structure:

   • The Enlightenment emphasized clear and straightforward music.
   • This led to a preference for homophonic textures, where one main melody is supported by harmony. This style became much more common than the complex polyphonic textures of the earlier Baroque period. About 75% of classical music from this time had a clear main melody supported by chords.
   • Having a clear form became very important. Composers started following established patterns to make their music easy to understand and connect.

3. Mixing Logic and Emotion:

   • Even though reason was key during the Enlightenment, composers also added emotional depth to their work.
   • This meant they could maintain a solid structure while still exploring feelings in their music.

4. Trends in Music Composition:

   • Composers like Haydn and Mozart showed these ideas well. About 90% of their orchestral music followed clear forms and used balanced phrases that developed over time.

In summary, the Enlightenment had a big impact on classical music. It created structured ways to compose, made music clearer, and blended logical ideas with emotional expressions. These changes set the stage for later styles of music, including the Romantic period and beyond.