Observation

Despite the question was popular among the candidates, the overall performance of the candidates were below average. Many of them listed musical instrument instead of musical types and exhibited in their answers inadequate knowledge of Western music history. They should have responded to the question thus:

1. Instrumental musical types of Classical period.
   Symphony, Sonata, Concerto, String quartet, Quintet, Divertimento, Piano, Duet, Trio, Etude, Overture.


2. Characteristic differences between Baroque and Classical music
   Melodies are based on melismatic setting. Melodies are based on syllabic setting.

   Baroque	Classical
   Greater interest in religious than in secular music.	Greater interest in religious than in secular music. Greater interest in secular than in religious music.
   Equal importance to vocal and instrumental music.	More importance to instrumental forms.
   Harmony was more horizontal – polyphonic.	Harmony was more vertical – homophonic.
   It is exclusively based on polyphonic texture. It is exclusively based on homophonic texture.	It is exclusively based on polyphonic texture. It is exclusively based on homophonic texture.
   A movement was dominated by single mood. The fugue was therefore based on a single theme. A movement was dominated by two or more contrasting themes in homophonic texture.	A movement was dominated by single mood. The fugue was therefore based on a single theme. A movement was dominated by two or more contrasting themes in homophonic texture.
   It is generally based on unity of mood. It is generally based on contrasting mood.	It is generally based on unity of mood. It is generally based on contrasting mood.
   There was room for improvisation. There was the liberty to add personal feelings to the performance. There was freedom to improvise in opera and concerto. The performance is controlled. There was less chance for improvisation because the composer writes every note and decides every instrument and styles to use (except in Cadenza).	There was room for improvisation. There was the liberty to add personal feelings to the performance. There was freedom to improvise in opera and concerto. The performance is controlled. There was less chance for improvisation because the composer writes every note and decides every instrument and styles to use (except in Cadenza).
   Melodies are based on melismatic setting. Melodies are based on syllabic setting.
   Melody are complex and not easy to remember. Melody are simple and easy to remember.	Melody are complex and not easy to remember. Melody are simple and easy to remember.
   It made use of any available musical instruments. Musical instruments are well defined and structured.	It made use of any available musical instruments. Musical instruments are well defined and structured.
   Clavichord and Harpsichord were generally used. Piano was exclusively used.	Clavichord and Harpsichord were generally used. Piano was exclusively used.
   There was the use of Basso continuo. There was the use of Alberti bass.	There was the use of Basso continuo. There was the use of Alberti bass.
   It spanned between 1600 and 1750. It spanned between 1750 and 1830.	It spanned between 1600 and 1750. It spanned between 1750 and 1830.