Introduction -- The musical language of the late eighteenth century -- Theories of form -- The origins of the style -- The classical style -- The coherence of the musical language -- Structure and ornament -- Haydn from 1770 to the death of Mozart -- String quartet -- Symphony -- Serious opera -- Mozart -- The concerto -- String quartet -- Comic opera -- Haydn after the death of Mozart -- The popular style -- Piano trio -- Church music -- Beethoven -- Beethoven's later years and the conventions of his childhood -- Epilogue.
