Classical Era Quiz Flashcards
Classical Era spans years ________ to __________
1750-1825
Classicism adheres to what principles
symmetry, balance, proportion
Three main sections of the sonata form
Exposition, Development, Recapitulation
The composer consisting of the Viennese school
Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven
Define absolute music
Music with no extra associations to anything else. Has non-descriptive names that reflect tempo, genre of form but have no other meaning
Another term of pure music
absolute music
How many movements are in a sonata cycle
4
The birth and year of death of Haydn
1732-1809
What was Haydn’s first musical occupation
choirboy at St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna
When did Haydn get his first proper musical position
In 1759 first full time position as Kapellmeister to Count Ferdinandvon Morzin
What is Haydn’s connection to the Esterhazy family
1761 began as assistant Kapellmeister at Eisenstadt with Prince Nikolai Esterhazy’s family
1766 promoted to Kapellmeister and moved to their Esterhaza estate
Worked for the Esterhazies for almost 30 years - moved to Vienna in 1790 when Prince Nikolai died and his successor, Prince Anton was not as great a music lover and did not need a full time Kapellmeister
What did Haydn do after he left the Esterhazies
Went to London, composed and performed the first 6 of his “London” Symphonies #93-98 to music acclaim by the London audiences
Received an honorary doctorate from Oxford, where he performed his symphony #92, which became known as the “Oxford” symphony
What is the now obsolete instrument that Haydn had to compose music for when he was employed by Prince Nikolai?
Baryton
Haydn’s music reflected all three Classical musical trends - what were they, define them
- Style galant - “elegant style” of 1720s - homophonic texture, delicate ornamentation, pretty melodies resulting in light and airy texture
- Sturm und Drang - “storm and stress” of 1770s - heightened emotions and dramatic contrasts, foreshadowing the Romantic Era
- Empfindsamer Stil - “sensitive style” - introspective, expressive style characterized by unexpected phrasing, abrupt rhythms and chromatic harmony, also foreshadowing Romantic Era
What developmental contribution did Haydn make to the sonata form
- slow introduction
- suspenseful mood
- chromatic harmony
How did Haydn like to approach the exposition of this sonata form
monothematic where themes 1 and 2 are identical or similar but in different keys
Why is Haydn’s String Quartet in C major called “emperor quartet”
2nd movement uses the Austrian national anthem “god save emperor francis” as its theme
How many variations are in the second movement of the Emperor Quartet?
Four
What is the key of the theme of the second movement of Haydn’s Emperor Quartet?
G Major
Identify this musical excerpt:
Title (official):
Title Nickname:
Composer:
Variation #:
Movement:
Key:
Theme played by:
Title (official): String Quartet in C Major, op.76, #3
Title Nickname: Emperor’s Quartet
Composer: Franz Joseph Haydn
Variation #: 1
Movement: second
Key: G major
Theme played by: second violin
Identify this musical excerpt from Hadyn’s Emperor Quartet second movement
Variation #:
Key:
Theme played by:
Meter:
Variation #: 2
Key: G major
Theme played by: Cello
Meter: Common time
Identify the following excerpt:
Key:
Theme played by:
Meter:
Tempo:
Which part of the movement:
Source of theme:
Key: G major
Theme played by: First violins
Meter: Cut Time
Tempo: Poco adagio, cantabile
Which part of the movement: Theme
Source of theme: “Emperor’s Hymn”
Where was Mozart born?
Salzburg, Austria
Mozart’s sister’s name and nickname
Maria Anna, “Nannerl”
Mozart birth and death date
1756-1791
Mozart’s favourite genre to compose
opera
When did Mozart move to Vienna
1781
Who finished Mozart’s Requiem after his death?
his student Franz Xavier Sussmayr
Give examples of Mozart’s operas in the following genre
- opera seria
- Opera buffa
- Singspiel
- opera seria - “Idomeneo”
- Opera buffa - “The Marriage of Figaro”
- Singspiel - “The Magic Flute”
What instruments did Mozart play
Harpsichord
Violin
Organ
Piano
How was Mozart influenced by meeting Johann Christian Bach in London when he was 8?
Mozart began incorporating elements of Italian opera into his instrumental themes, making them more songful or lyrical, and when writing a sonatas and concertos, he employed contrasting themes.
When did Mozart make the journey to Italy and what did he do there
1769 - 1773 transcribed “Miserere” by the composer Gregorio Allegri after hearing it once at the Sistine Chapel
- commissioned to write some operas to some success in Milan
- Received academic accolades and was admitted into the Accademia Filarmonica of Bologna and Verona where he was awarded 2 diplomas
- unsuccessful in gaining any employment in Italy, was forced to return to Salzburg
