Classical Period

Question 1

Joseph Haydn

Answer 1

• Austrian composer
• worked for super rich family (royalty)
• the father of the string quartet (wrote 13)
• influenced Mozart
• predominantly symphonic composer (composed over 100 symphonies)

Question 2

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Answer 2

• Austrian composer
• 41 symphonies
• dad was his agent > rebelled
• rude to royalty, offensive
• deponte collabs, write operas (Marriage of Figuero, Don Giovanni)
• 27 piano concerti, 5 violin concerti, 41 symphonies, 23 music dramas (Deponte Mozart dramas), died writing requiamass for funeral
• most known for concertos, symphonies, but mostly operas

Question 3

Ludwig van Beethoven

Answer 3

• German composer
• bridges classical to romantic period
• writes for the public, but in private more adventurous with his music
• studied with Haydn
• believed artists should have same respect as royalty
• got an annual income for composing
• became deaf > biggest symphony “the Eroica”
• used classical forms and techniques but gave them new power and intensity

Question 4

Classical sound

Answer 4

• variety of mood in one piece
• flexibility of rhythm, unexpected pauses, syncopations, and frequent changes from long notes to shorter notes
• homophonic texture
• easy to remember
• balanced, symmetrical
• crescendos and decrescendos used

Question 5

Rondo Form

Answer 5

-tuneful main theme (A) that returns several times in alternation with other themes
-common pattern: ABACA and
ABACABA
-main theme lively, pleasing, simple to remember
-can be independent piece or as one movement of a symphony

Question 6

Sonata form

Answer 6

• exposition:first theme, bridge to new key, second theme, closing section (sets up strong conflict)
• development: new treatment of themes, different keys (most dramatic section)
• recapitulation:first theme, bridge, second theme, closing section (resolution)
• coda: in tonic key (more powerful feeling of conclusion)

Question 7

Minuet and trio form

Answer 7

• often used as 3rd movement
• minuet originated as a dance, in this period don’t dance to it
• triple meter 3/4, moderate tempo
• ABA form: minuet, trio, minuet
• trio usually quieter, less instruments, wood winds and solos

Question 8

Theme and variations form

Answer 8

One theme repeated over and over with some variation each time