Final answer:
Beethoven's music is rooted in the Classical tradition but expanded upon its forms and expressions, paving the way for the Romantic era. He maintained the fundamental rules of Classical music while introducing innovative themes and expressions that foreshadowed Romanticism. Option c is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ludwig van Beethoven, whose musical works straddle the transitional period between the Classical and Romantic eras, exhibits a unique style that is grounded in the classical tradition yet heralds the Romantic era.
Initially, Beethoven composed music that was clearly Classical in style, much like that of his predecessors Mozart and Haydn. However, as his oeuvre expanded, his later works began to reflect a bold evolution in style.
Expanding Classical forms, Beethoven infused his music with a depth of emotion and structural complexity that was unprecedented at that time.
This expansion was evident through the use of dramatic contrasts, innovative orchestration, and the exploration of new thematic developments within traditional forms like the symphony, concerto, and sonata. His music retained the fundamental rules of rhythm, melody, harmony, and performance practice but pushed the boundaries of expression and form.
Beethoven's stylistic innovations are what make his music stand out as a bridge to the Romantic era. Romantic composers respected and emulated the classical foundations laid by composers like Beethoven, but their music often carried a heightened sense of personal expression and emotional intensity.
The correct answer to the original question is (c) Beethoven's music is rooted in the Classical tradition but expands upon its forms and expressions, paving the way for the Romantic era.