Classical Period

Question 1

Classical Period developments, relationship to music

Answer 1

• Blend of sophisticated and classical.
• International culture in Europe during Enlightenment, Shared humanity!
• Music more widely available to amateurs, they are excited to learn and play
• Wealth distribution affects the poor
Music:
• Focus on melody, divided into phrases, symmetrical periods, etc.

Question 2

Late Baroque/Early Classical composers

Answer 2

Vivaldi - concertos, solos
Couperin - blended French & Italian styles (harpsichord
Rameau - late baroque opera. Coined terms tonic, dominant, subdominant as pillars of tonality.

Question 3

Bach

Answer 3

Influenced by Buxtehude, Vivaldi, and prelude/fugue. Moved around Germany, influenced by French, Italian and German music. Later works when employed at church, including chorale cantatas (Nun mom Der Heiden Heiland)

Question 4

Handel

Answer 4

More famous than Bach. German, Italian and English influences. International style, including opera

Question 5

Types of Early classical opera/Differences between European regions

Answer 5

Opera Buffa
-(Italy) Like comic opera of other countries, sung throughout. Satirizing aristocrats. Serious characters interact w/comic characters, intermezzo (comic interludes)
(England) - Ballad opera (Beggar’s Opera, sounds almost like old show music)
(Germany) - Singspiel. Translating French comic operas
Opera Seria
-Based on Ancient Greek or Latin tales
Orfeo ed Euridice (Gluck)

Question 6

What is Sonata-form, and name a classical composer who employs it

Answer 6

Scarlatti keyboard pieces

• Some inspiration from Spanish guitar.
• Closing section of part A (dominant) comes back in part B in tonic

Question 7

Early classical symphonies- composer names and musical precursor

Answer 7

Sammartini, Stamitz. Composed symphonies from structure of opera overture (1740ish)
-Usually 3 movements, 1st in sonata form. Fast-slow-fast

Question 8

German Empfindsamer style

Answer 8

• Emotional, using ornamentation to create uneasiness (CPE Bach). Ornamentation not just for flourish.
• Sturm und Drang - gloomy and irrational feelings. Abrupt shifts in harmony, modulation, etc.

Question 9

Haydn (Mid-late 18th cent.)

Answer 9

Symphonies named after where he wrote them.
Mvt. 1 - Exposition, development, recap
Mvt. 2 - Calm and gentle
Mvt. 3 - Minuet and Trio (Binary/rounded binary 1st half, 2nd half similar). Short
Mvt. 4 - Buildup of tension and release, some surprises

String Quartets
-Written for the players
Operas, Masses, Oratorios

Question 10

Music of Mozart (mid-late 18th cent)

Answer 10

Symphony-Listen for the timpani
Piano concerto - Long intro before piano comes in
Operas - Like opera buffa, but characters have more depth (a bit more drama/comedy than early classical operas)
Church music - Requiem

Question 11

Music of Beethoven (late 18th, early 19th cent)

Answer 11

Piano sonatas (4 mvts.)
String quartets - expansion on Mozart and Haydn (No. 14 - seems unpredictable tonally, but always returns to I with playful melody)
Symphonies - 9 of them (#3 in NAWM. Eroica in 3/4)

Strict adherence to composers tempo. Adhere to composer’s vision

Late Beethoven - continuity btw. movements. Improvisatory passages, new sonorities