Classical

Question 1

Instrumentation?

Answer 1

The orchestra:
-double wind: 2 of each woodwind instruments(including clarinets)
-2 horns and trumpets
-2 times
-and string ( no continuo part)
The strings dominated the texture- the 1st violin most commonly had the tune
Woodwind would sometimes play the tune- especially antiphonally with the strings
Brass were limited to the harmonic series so played very little- along with the times they punctuated cadences

Question 2

General features?

Answer 2

• periodic phrasing- balanced phrases
• homophonic texture-especially melody plus accompaniment
• slow harmonic rate- often 1 chord per bar
• use of a turn was common
• use of alberti bass- broken chords

Question 3

Chamber music

Answer 3

• played by the middle class
• All middle class would learn to play an instrument
• string quartet- 2 violin, viola + cello
• piano trio- piano, violin + cello
• wind octet- 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons + 2 french horns
• wind quintet- flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet + french horn