Classical Music Era followed the Baroque Era, preceding the Romantic Era.  Unlike the composers of the Baroque Era, composers of Classical music were very precise with instrumental selection.  Their new style produced a cleaner, clearer sound. The harpsichord, a vital instrument in earlier days (Baroque Era), was left behind, being replaced by the piano.  The piano was fairly new, and it gave Classical music its lighter, more graceful sound. Typical instruments used in Classical music include: Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Flute, Piccolo (woodwind), French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone (brass), Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Harp (strings), Timpani (percussion), Forte Piano.  Mozart scored the symphony for flute, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets (which were added in a revised version), 2 bassoons, 2 horns, and strings; missing are trumpets and percussion.  Symphony No. 40 was one of two symphonies Mozart composed in G minor.  Symphony No. 40 is known as Great G minor, distinguishing it from his earlier G minor symphony, No. 25, known as, Little G minor.  The first movement on No. 40 begins with strings playing molto allegro (very fast). Some describe the timbre of the strings as dark, whereas others describe a more cheery air to it.

A more modern example using the timbre to “paint” a scene with music is displayed in a popular children’s show, Courage the Cowardly Dog – ‘The Gods are Goosely’ episode.  

Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 is played to convey to the audience the sadness and lamenting the Goose god (think Zeus and Nemesis) is feeling.  He is conflicted over his “eternal love” for a mortal woman named, Muriel. The show’s writers managed to use the music to manipulate the mood of the dark scenes versus the lighter scenes.  The strings (darker and choppy timbre) played during the darker scenes, portraying the goose’s sadness and sorrow. The lighter tones in the music (smoother strings and woodwinds) played during the cheerier scenes, where you see Muriel embracing her admirer’s advances and gifts.  The cheerier scenes include parts of the first movement containing softer, longer sounds from the strings and more woodwinds. The episode depicts the conflicting moods of Symphony no. 40, allowing the listener to see both sides of the piece; the dark, choppy timbre and the lighter, softer, smoother, more cheery timbre.  A recorded live performance can be viewed here: Norwegian Chamber Orchestra, and the cartoon episode can be viewed here: Courage the Cowardly Dog