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Maybe it was just the way I understood music history in college - at least the academic view of music history - was that Baroque music was highly ornate, yet very structured. The classical era (1750-1825/27) focused more on nature and simplicity. The romantic era saw many composers pushing the limits, or bending the rules. The problem with the academic music history, is that it basically ignores the divergence of popular music from that which became academic (i.e., atonal, serial rows, 12 tone compositions, microtonal, etc...).

qb, I certainly agree that poorly used chromatic notes sound really bad.

I think it depends; according to traditional music theory, there are several notes which would fall outside of the tonic key. I would say that, however, the use of borrowed notes are acceptable in certain situations (i.e., chromatic passages, borrowed relative chords, etc...). The "modern" era of academic music (circa 1900 - present) is basically about breaking the rules of music theory.

So, to a person who is classically trained; yes, there are certain notes which are outside of the tonic key (if there is one); though it does not necessarily make it wrong. At least by today's standards.