4 - Classical Era

Question 1

classical era

Answer 1

1750-1825
age of enlightenment
characterized by desire for equality among all people
classlcal ideals: proportion, symmetry,balance

Question 2

sonata cycle

Answer 2

multi movement structure
emerged in Classical era
occurs in symphony, sonata and concerto

Question 3

sonata form

Answer 3

a formal structure often used in the first mvmt of a sonata cycle
consists of exposition, development, recapitulation

Question 4

sturm and drang

Answer 4

storm and stress
translated musically into passionate outbursts and emphasis on minor keys
aims to frighten, shock or overwhelm with emotion

Question 5

symphony

Answer 5

multi movement orchestral work, became dominant form

generally 4 constrasting movements

Question 6

1st movement of symphony(key, tempo, form)

Answer 6

establishes tonic key

lively tempo
sonata form
may begin with slow intro

Question 7

2nd movement of symphony

Answer 7

often in subdominant key

slow tempo
forms incl. ternary, theme and var, rondo
lyrical, expressive character

Question 8

3rd movement of symphony

Answer 8

in tonic key
fast of mod. fast tempo
ternary or menuet & trio
or for Beethoven a scherzo and trio

Question 9

4th movement of symphony

Answer 9

in tonic key

fast, lively tempo
forms incl. sonata, rondo theme and var.
lively finale

Question 10

Viennese school

Answer 10

principal composers Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven

Vienna was a place for noted artists ,writers, .architects and musicians

Question 11

Exposition

Answer 11

first main section in sonata form

2 contrasting themes stated…..1st in tonic, 2nd in dom. or rel. minor

Question 12

Development

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Recapitulation

Answer 13

third main section in sonata form

1st and 2nd themes restated in tonic

Question 14

Coda

Answer 14

a concluding section in sonata form that reaffirms tonic key

Question 15

Monothematic exposition

Answer 15

in sonata form, theme 2 is a transposed version of theme 1

used often by Haydn

Question 16

Oratorio

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Oratorio features:

Answer 17

large scale choral work
generally based on sacred subjects
includes soloists, chorus and orchestra
no scenery, costumes or acting

Question 18

Opera buffa

Answer 18

Italian comic opera
no spoken dialogue
featured down to earth characters, fast paced plots, farce and innuendo
Mozart was the master of this form

Question 19

modified sonata form

Answer 19

contains expo and recap but no development

Question 20

terzetto

Answer 20

Italian for trio, musical # for 3 voices

Question 21

trouser role

Answer 21

male character played by a sop, mezzo sop or cont. alto

Question 22

cadenza

Answer 22

solo passage in concertos and arias

displays virtuosity of soloist

Question 23

double exposition

Answer 23

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

Question 24

tremolo

Answer 24

rapid alternation btwn. 2 notes or chords

Question 25

rondo form

Answer 25

ABACA or ABACABA
section A heard min of 3 times in tonic
B and C offer contrast in key and theme

Question 26

musical accomplishments of Beethoven

Answer 26

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

Question 27

chamber music

Answer 27

for small group(2-10)
one player per part
usually without conductor
musical conversation btwn friends

Question 28

string quartet

Answer 28

most popular chamber ensemble of classical period

2vln,vla,clo

Question 29

piano quintet

Answer 29

piano plus 4 inst. usually string quartet

Question 30

theme and variations

Answer 30

work features melody followed by series of transformations
changes to melody, harmony, rhythm or orchestration
often used in slow mvmt of sonata cycle

Question 31

piano concerto

Answer 31

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

Question 32

piano sonata

Answer 32

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