Classical Questions Flashcards
Who were the main Classical composers?
Haydn, J.C. Bach, Beethoven, Mozart etc.
What instrument mostly succeeded the Harpsichord?
Piano
What years did the Classical period span?
1750 to 1820
What percussion instrument now featured in the Orchestra?
Kettle Drums
What brass instruments now featured in the Orchestra?
Trumpets and French Horns
Did the popularity of vocal music increase during this period?
No, It decreased! Classical saw a large decline in it in favour of more instrumental music.
What is ‘Alberti Bass’?
An accompaniment consisting of broken chords repeated by the left hand (on a piano).
Describe ‘Sonata Form’?
Exposition - Development - Recapitulation
How does a ‘Sonata’ differ from ‘Sonata Form’?
They’re mostly unrelated. A sonata is a solo piece for piano.
Describe a Classical Symphony
Movement 1 - Allegro and in sonata form.
Movement 2 - Slow and often in a simple form such as ternary form.
Movement 3 - Minuet and trio, a dance borrowed from the Baroque period and in ternary form.
Movement 4 - Allegro, light-hearted and in either rondo form, theme and variations or sonata form.
What is a concerto?
A piece of music for a soloist accompanied by the orchestra
What at the 3 different tempos of typical concerto movements?
1st Movement - fairly fast
2nd Movement - slow
3rd movement - fast
Explain what the first movement of a concerto is usually comprised of.
It is in modified sonata form. The development & recap are usually shared by the orchestra and at the end of the recap, the soloist usually plays a cadenza.
What is a Chamber Orchestra?
A group of musicians in which there is one player per part.
Name 4 instruments usually found in a chamber orchestra.
2 Violins, 1 Viola & 1 Cello
Explain how the Classical Mass differed from Mass in the Baroque period.
Mass in the Classical period was sub-divided into a greater number of pieces and often involved recitatives, arias, choruses and vocal duets, trios and quartets
Who was the main composer of Opera in the Classical Period?
Mozart
What is an overture?
An instrumental piece within an opera
What is a coloratura soprano?
A particularly high soprano singer who has trained their voice to sing very high & complicated passages
State two places in which Sonata Form was mainly used.
First movement of a symphony and in Overtures
