18th-Century Vocal Polyphony
Although homophony was the most common texture
of Classic music, polyphony as a compositional
device still prevailed in some forms. This was especially true in
operatic ensembles and in the chorus sections of masses
and oratorios. Examples can be found
in the ensembles of "Le Nozze di Figaro" and
"Don Giovanni" by Mozart.
Haydn's "Die
Schopfung" (The Creation) and Mozart's "Requiem
Mass" include examples of polyphonic texture in religious vocal
music. Polyphonic forms such as the canon
and the motet were still composed, and both Haydn
and Mozart wrote in these forms.