Musical Offerings ⦁ 2025 ⦁ Volume 16 ⦁ Number 1 39 ending, and the Classical Era had just begun. The leading composers of this time were Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel, Antonio Vivaldi, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn, and Ludwig van Beethoven. While all this musical growth was happening in Europe, the colonists were not completely left in the dark as they were also given the opportunity to experience symphonic music performed in large concert halls.82 The larger cities such as New York, Philadelphia, and Boston “offered a thriving musical experience for citizens.”83 For example, in 1766, the Ranelagh Gardens opened in New York City and provided dance gatherings and musical performances every day.84 While there were musical experiences within the colonies, they were more limited than in Europe as there were no recordings at the time. This meant that the only way to be immersed into this genre of music was through live performances.85 An exciting way that musical growth was occurring in the colonies in the pre-war era was by the ability for commoners to access and purchase instruments.86 Since instruments were now obtainable in homes, music lessons became available. Daniel Welch explained that “if they desired, musical tutors such as Charles Love advertised his musical instructional services as ‘teaches gentlemen the violin, hautboy, German and common flute, bassoon, French horn, tenor and bass viol.’”87 As musical knowledge was spreading, colonists began to compose their own music which took on a more personal meaning to them.88 This music was written for practical instruments that individuals had in their homes such as the harpsichord, flute, or violin.89 Their music was also usually about topics that spoke to their daily lives.90 When the Revolution began, “songs about the lack of 82 Welch, 4–5. 83 Welch, 5. 84 Welch, 5. 85 Welch, 5. 86 Welch, 5. 87 Welch, 5. 88 Welch, 5. 89 Welch, 5. 90 Welch, 5.
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