Classical Music

Question 1

Common characteristics of Classical music

Answer 1

Graceful melodies, clear-cut and balanced phrases, homophonic, emphasis on elegance and beauty of melody, simpler textures and melodies.

Question 2

What were the three main chords of the Classical era?

Answer 2

I, IV, and V

Question 3

What is a symphony?

Answer 3

Meaning ‘sounding together’, it is a large-scale work for full orchestra.

Question 4

What is the first movement of a symphony?

Answer 4

A fairly fast tempo (sometimes with a slow introduction). Makes use of structure known as Sonata Form.

Question 5

What is the second movement of a symphony?

Answer 5

A slow tempo, more lyrical and song-like. Often in ternary form, or theme and variation.

Question 6

What is the third movement of a symphony?

Answer 6

Haydn and Mozart wrote a Minuet and Trio at this point; a bright dance with three beats in the bar. Beethoven transformed it into a much faster and more vigorous Scherzo.

Question 7

What is the fourth movement of a symphony?

Answer 7

A fast tempo, and often light-hearted in mood. Commonly structured in rondo form, or sonata form, or even a mixture of both.

Question 8

What makes up the Sonata form?

Answer 8

Exposition, Development, Recapitulation, Coda

Question 9

What is the exposition?

Answer 9

1st subject (tonic), transition (changing key), 2nd subject (new key)

Question 10

What is the development?

Answer 10

Developing ideas from the exposition, adding new ideas, exploring new keys

Question 11

What is the recapitulation?

Answer 11

1st subject (tonic), transition (altered), 2nd subject (tonic)

Question 12

What is the coda?

Answer 12

An extended ending section comprising some themes previously used

Question 13

What is a concerto?

Answer 13

A large-scale work for a solo instrument and orchestra, generally comprising of three movements

Question 14

What are the movements of a concerto?

Answer 14

The same as the symphony, but without the third movement

Question 15

What features in the first movement of a concerto?

Answer 15

Cadenza

Question 16

What is a Cadenza?

Answer 16

A passage in the music designed to give the soloist the opportunity to demonstrate their musical technique. It is played without orchestral accompaniment and often ends with a trill, to let the orchestra know when they are finished.

Question 17

Where were Cadenza’s placed?

Answer 17

Towards the end of the recapitulation

Question 18

What is chamber music?

Answer 18

Music that is written to be performed by a small group of musicians, where only one musician would be playing each part

Question 19

What is an Alberti Bass?

Answer 19

A type of broken chord accompaniment that is repeated in the left hand (1, 5, 3, 5). It was often used to support the characteristic ‘graceful’ melodies, in clear-cut and balanced phrases.

Question 20

Why do people think Beethoven should be classed in a period of his own?

Answer 20

He almost singlehandedly bridges the gap between the Classical and Romantic eras

Question 21

What is a Neapolitan 6th chord?

Answer 21

Flattened second chord in the first inversion

Question 22

What chord is made up of minor third intervals?

Answer 22

Diminished chord

Question 23

What chord is made up of major third intervals?

Answer 23

Augmented chord