The movement known as the Enlightenment challenged the established systems of thought and behavior of early 18th century Europe. Religion concepts valued individual faith and practical morality. Philosophy and science emphasized reasoning from experience and from careful observation of emotions, social relations, and organizations. Natural ness was preferred to artificiality and formality. Social order would lean towards the individual. Science, philosophy, the arts, education, and religion would all be judged by how they contributed to the well-being of the individual.

The early classic period was a variety of experimental styles that would converge in the styles of Haydn, Mozart and move on to Beethoven. The important centers, Paris, London, Naples, and most important Vienna, is where intellectuals, artists, poets, and musicians would gather from all over Europe to discuss and debate a new social awareness that was emerging.

The Enlightenments respect of scientific empiricism and egalitarian ideals would translate into a more easily comprehended musical compositional style. In Vienna three composers would dominate the direction of musical structure and content. They would help shape the understanding a movement that historians have labeled “ The Age of Enlightenment” and that the compositions of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven would be in the musical arts be know as the pillars of group of musicians associated as the “First Viennese School”.