4 - Classical Era Flashcards
classical era
1750-1825
age of enlightenment
characterized by desire for equality among all people
classlcal ideals: proportion, symmetry,balance
sonata cycle
multi movement structure
emerged in Classical era
occurs in symphony, sonata and concerto
sonata form
a formal structure often used in the first mvmt of a sonata cycle
consists of exposition, development, recapitulation
sturm and drang
storm and stress
translated musically into passionate outbursts and emphasis on minor keys
aims to frighten, shock or overwhelm with emotion
symphony
multi movement orchestral work, became dominant form
generally 4 constrasting movements
1st movement of symphony(key, tempo, form)
establishes tonic key
lively tempo
sonata form
may begin with slow intro
2nd movement of symphony
often in subdominant key
slow tempo
forms incl. ternary, theme and var, rondo
lyrical, expressive character
3rd movement of symphony
in tonic key
fast of mod. fast tempo
ternary or menuet & trio
or for Beethoven a scherzo and trio
4th movement of symphony
in tonic key
fast, lively tempo
forms incl. sonata, rondo theme and var.
lively finale
Viennese school
principal composers Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven
Vienna was a place for noted artists ,writers, .architects and musicians
Exposition
first main section in sonata form
2 contrasting themes stated…..1st in tonic, 2nd in dom. or rel. minor
Development
second main section in sonata form
themes from expo. manipulated using fragmentation, sequences or changes to orchestration
modulations and increased tension
new themes may be introduced
Recapitulation
third main section in sonata form
1st and 2nd themes restated in tonic
Coda
a concluding section in sonata form that reaffirms tonic key
Monothematic exposition
in sonata form, theme 2 is a transposed version of theme 1
used often by Haydn
Oratorio
similar to opera but in a concert setting
was allowed even during Lent(opera was not)
sacred vocal genre originally performed in the prayer room(oratory) of a church
Oratorio features:
large scale choral work
generally based on sacred subjects
includes soloists, chorus and orchestra
no scenery, costumes or acting
Opera buffa
Italian comic opera
no spoken dialogue
featured down to earth characters, fast paced plots, farce and innuendo
Mozart was the master of this form
modified sonata form
contains expo and recap but no development
terzetto
Italian for trio, musical # for 3 voices
trouser role
male character played by a sop, mezzo sop or cont. alto
cadenza
solo passage in concertos and arias
displays virtuosity of soloist
double exposition
used in 1st mvmt of concerto
orchestral expo intros theme and establishes key
solo expo follows during which soloist restates theme and usually modulates key
tremolo
rapid alternation btwn. 2 notes or chords
rondo form
ABACA or ABACABA
section A heard min of 3 times in tonic
B and C offer contrast in key and theme
musical accomplishments of Beethoven
planned and revised compositions in sketchbooks
used accents and extreme dynamics
exploited technical developments of the piano
replaced minuet and trio with scherzo
used cyclical structure
included chorus in a symphony: was an innovator
chamber music
for small group(2-10)
one player per part
usually without conductor
musical conversation btwn friends
string quartet
most popular chamber ensemble of classical period
2vln,vla,clo
piano quintet
piano plus 4 inst. usually string quartet
theme and variations
work features melody followed by series of transformations
changes to melody, harmony, rhythm or orchestration
often used in slow mvmt of sonata cycle
piano concerto
dev’d in Baroque
ritornello form from baroque replace with sonata form
began to overtake violin conc. in popularity
3 mvmts: fast slow fast
cadenza usually prepared by soloist
piano sonata
technical improvement to piano led to inc popularity and many new works
usually 3 or 4 mvmts
1st and 3rd about technical brilliance and 2nd about lyricism
