How did Neoclassical composers react against Romantic and Impressionist styles?

Emerging around 1920, Neoclassicism represented a deliberate reaction against the emotional excess and formal fluidity of the Romantic era, as well as the experimental extremes of early 20th-century modernism.1

While Romantic composers prioritized dramatic expressiveness, often favoring large-scale works and harmonic restlessness, Neoclassical composers sought a return to the aesthetic ideals of the late 18th century. Their reaction manifested in several key ways:12

• Emotional Restraint: Composers moved away from the self-conscious emotionalism of Romanticism, favoring a more objective and disciplined approach to composition.13
• Formal Clarity: There was a shift toward the simplification of materials, structures, and textures, rejecting the "Romantic license" that had expanded or obscured traditional forms.13
• Revival of Counterpoint: Neoclassicism emphasized linear counterpoint and craftsmanship, moving away from the preoccupation with instrumental or harmonic color that defined both Romanticism and Impressionism.12

Led by figures such as Igor Stravinsky, Paul Hindemith, and Béla Bartók, this movement successfully blended Classical formalism with 20th-century melodic and harmonic idioms.1