 The symphony had established itself by the end of the 18th century as the most prestigious of instrumental genres . While the genre had been developed with considerable intensity throughout that century and appeared in a wide range of occasions , it was generally used as an opening or closing work ; in between would be works that included vocal and instrumental soloists . Because of its lack of written text for focus , it was seen as a vehicle for entertainment rather than for social , moral or intellectual ideas . As the symphony grew in size and artistic significance , thanks in part to efforts in the form by Haydn , Mozart and Beethoven , it also amassed greater prestige . A concurrent change in attitude toward instrumental music in general also took place , and the lack of text , once seen as a handicap , became considered a virtue . 
