Classical Flashcards
What dates does the Rococo period refer to?
1720-1770.
What period came out of the Baroque era?
Rococo.
What musical style came out of the Rococo era?
‘Style galante’.
How does the galante style differ to Baroque?
Lighter, simpler and more elegant.
Clearer distinctions between melody and accompaniment.
A reliant on more basic harmonies (predominant tonic/dominant relationships).
Textures less dependent on polyphonic procedures.
Simpler, periodic musical phrases.
Which composers used the galante style?
Jean Phillipe Rameau, François Couperin.
What was the German equivalent to ‘style galante’?
‘Empfindsamer Stil’.
How does ‘Empfindsamer Stil’ differ to ‘style galante’?
Preference of appoggiaturas over lavish ornamentation.
Harmonic and melodic chromaticism.
Which composers used the ‘Empfindsamer Still’?
C.P.E Bach, Carl Friedrich Abel, Carl Heinrich Graun, Johann Joachim Quantz.
What does Sturm und Drang entail?
Extreme contrasts in register and dynamics.
Instability of key.
Exciting orchestral effects.
Which styles were woven together to form Classical?
Style galante, empfindsamer Stil, Sturm und Drang.
Where did the symphony come from?
Orchestral pieces of music in Italian opera.
What is the usual form for the first movement?
Sonata form.
What is the usual form the second movement?
Just slow, lol.
What is the usual form for the third movement?
Minuet and trio.
What is the usual form for the fourth movement?
Rondo (or sonata-rondo).
How did Stamitz contribute to the development of the symphony?
Favoured the 4-movement plan.
Unpredictable treatment of ideas.
Strong thematic material.
Energised rhythmic drive.
Simple tutti textures.
Sudden changes in dynamics and accents.
What is the Mannheim crescendo?
A crescendo for the entire orchestra.
What is the Mannheim climax?
Usually followed the Mannheim crescendo, where the instrument except strings would gradually drop out.
What is the Mannheim Rocket?
A rising passage based on an arpeggio, coupled with a crescendo.
What is the Mannheim Roller?
A loud extended passage with an ascending melody over an ostinato bass.
What is the Mannheim sigh?
A pair of slurred notes with increased emphasis on the first.
What are Mannheim birds?
Instrumental sounds which imitated birds in solo passages.
What is the Grand Pause?
A sudden rest for everybody, before an energetic restart.
How did Mannheim school contribute to the development of the symphony?
The Mannheim crescendo.
The Mannheim climax.
The Mannheim Rocket.
The Mannheim Roller.
The Mannheim sigh.
Mannheim birds.
The Grand Pause.
What else did Stamitz contribute to the development of?
Sonata form (he used it in his first movements).
Who were the first composers to perfect the symphonic style?
Haydn, Mozart.
