Chapter 17: The Enlightenment and the Classic Style

Question 1

What are the qualities of classical era music?

Answer 1

Balance
Order
Simplicity
Symmetry
Clarity

Question 2

Opera Seria Reform

Answer 2

-Second half of the 18th century
-Simplicity and natural affection
-Less ornamentation
-Less distinction between recitative and aria
-More orchestra and chorus
-Gluck

Question 3

Christoph Willibald Gluck

Answer 3

-Opera Seria
-Greatest opera reformer
-Raniero Calzabigi (librettist)
-Orfeo ed Euridice
-Alceste
-Historical significance - balance and blend (between music and drama)

Question 4

Orfeo ed Euridice

Answer 4

-Gluck
-Tragic Ending is changed
-Finale includes ballet and chorus
-No secco recitative
-French and Italian elements

Question 5

Alceste

Answer 5

-Gluck
-Goals:
🥅Compose music devoid of ornamentation (and instead use expressive and relevant text)
🥅Construct each aria in a form that suits the situation
🥅Remove sharp contrast between recitative and aria
🥅Relate the overture to the drama
-Great Success in Paris

Question 6

What did the Symphony orchestra look like in the classical period?

Answer 6

🎻🎻🎻🎻4 part strings (cello and bass share)
🥂1 or 2 flutes [not those kind of flutes😉]
🗿🗿Pair of Oboe/Clarinet (either/or) (independent winds)
🙈🙈Pair of Bassoons
📯📯Pair of French Horns
🎺🥁Trumpets/Timpani (pairs; reserved for brilliant works)

Question 7

What instrument group gained independence in the symphony orchestra?

Answer 7

Winds

Question 8

Describe the movements of the classical era symphony.

Answer 8

4 movements (standardized after 1750)
1. longest, serious, usually fast and sometimes has a slow introduction with dotted rhythms
2. empfindsamer stil/cantabile aria
3. minuet and trio
4. light and fast

Question 9

How did orchestral part writing change in the 1780’s?

Answer 9

Exchange of motives (conversation between the instruments)

Question 10

The Divertimento

Answer 10

-Closely related to suite
-Allegro - Andante - Minuet - Allegro (will become standard organization for classical string quartet)
-Ein Klein Nachtmusik
-Removal of basso continuo

Question 11

What is a suite?

Answer 11

A collection of fast and slow dances.

Question 12

The String Quartet

Answer 12

-Replaced Baroque trio sonata
-Originally 2 violins and viola/cello in 8ves
-2 types
(1) 1st violin carried all melodic interest; other 3 parts serve as accomp.
(2) 4 part counterpoint

Question 13

Keyboard Sonata

Answer 13

-After 1750 - Piano became instrument of choice
-Usually 3 movements (omitting minuet)

Question 14

The Concerto

Answer 14

-Violin and Piano
-Mozart - masterpieces of the genre (worked to achieve balance between solo and orchestra)
-3 movements (F-S-F)
(1) Sonata form
(2) Instrumental aria
(3) Rondo form - dancelike