classical general terms

Question 1

classicism

Answer 1

• refers to the cultures of ancient Rome and Greece as well as the art, architecture and music of the late 18th century
• adheres to principles of symmetry, balance and proportion
• emphasis on excellence, enduring value and timeless quality

Question 2

viennese school

Answer 2

• refers to the musical style forged by Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven and their contemporaries
• in late 18th century Vienna, Austria flourished as a musical centre

Question 3

absolute music

Answer 3

• instrumental music without extramusical associations
• also known as “pure music”
• generic titles reflecting tempos, genres or forms
• for example, sonata, allegretto, menuet, rondo

Question 4

sonata cycle

Answer 4

• multi-movement structure that emerged in the Classical era
• demonstrated in the symphony, sonata or concerto

Question 5

sonata form

Answer 5

• formal structure often used in the first movements of a sonata cycle
• consists of exposition (statement of two or more contrasting themes), development (departure), and recapitulation (return)
• also known as sonata-allegro form

Question 6

exposition

Answer 6

• the first main section in sonata form
• two contrasting themes are stated
• the first theme is in the tonic key
• the second theme is (or themes are) in a contrasting key, generally in the dominant or relative major

Question 7

development

Answer 7

• the second main section in sonata form
• themes from the exposition are manipulated through fragmentation, sequential treatment, or changes to orchestration
• modulations and increased harmonic tension

Question 8

recapitulation

Answer 8

• the third main section in sonata form
• first and second themes are both restated in the tonic

Question 9

coda

Answer 9

• Latin for “tail” (cauda)
• a concluding section reaffirming the tonic key