Classical solo concerto

Question 1

What is a classical concerto?

Answer 1

A single solo instrument accompanied by an orchestra

Question 2

What instrument was invented during the classical period which replaced the harpsichord?

Answer 2

Piano

Question 3

What woodwind instrument was invented during the baroque period?

Answer 3

Clarinet

Question 4

What did classical concertos no longer have?

Answer 4

Continuo section

Question 5

What happened to the size of classical orchestras?

Answer 5

They became bigger than baroque orchestras as the number of instruments increased and new instruments such as the clarinet were added

Question 6

What are the characteristics of the first movement of a classical concerto?

Answer 6

Sonata form, brisk, purposeful

Question 7

What are the characteristics of the second movement of a classical concerto?

Answer 7

Ternary or variation form, slow, lyrical, song-like

Question 8

What are the characteristics of the third movement of a classical concerto?

Answer 8

Rondo, variation or sonata form, fast, cheerful

Question 9

What form did classical composers often use, particularly in their final movements?

Answer 9

Rondo form

Question 10

What is the structure of rondo form?

Answer 10

ABACADA…, where A is repeated against contrasting episodes (similar to baroque ritornello form)

Question 11

What sections do the soloist and orchestra sometimes perform?

Answer 11

Sections in dialogue with each other

Question 12

How many sections does sonata form have?

Answer 12

3 sections

Question 13

What is the first section in a sonata?

Answer 13

Exposition- where two contrasting (by pitch of tonality) themes are introduced, linked by a bridge passage

Question 14

What is the second section in a sonata?

Answer 14

Development section- where new harmonies and rhythms are developed. Sequences, imitation or pedal notes could also be introduced

Question 15

What is the third section in a sonata?

Answer 15

Recapitulation- where the themes from the exposition are repeated both in the tonic key often with some ornaments added followed by the coda

Question 16

What is a coda

Answer 16

The concluding section that ‘ties up the loose ends’, bringing the sonata movement to a close

Question 17

What is variation form?

Answer 17

a melodic theme which is then repeated with changes in melody, harmony, and rhythm

Question 18

What is a cadenza section?

Answer 18

A section which occurs just before the end of the first movement (and sometimes the last movement). It is sometimes unaccompanied and is based on one of more of the themes from the movement

Question 19

What do cadenza sections normally end in?

Answer 19

A long trill- a kind of signal or cue for the orchestra to get ready again to enter the final coda section where everyone plays together to end the movement

Question 20

What do soloists normally do in a cadenza?

Answer 20

Improvise and include lots of fast scale passages, broken chords and decorated and ornementated melodies

Question 21

Characteristics of classical concerto melodies?

Answer 21

Light/simple/elegant, sequences, ornaments (not as much as baroque), mainly homophonic texture, more expressive dynamics (than the baroque terraced dynamics), crescendos, diminuendos, balanced phrases (4 or 8 bar phrases), question and answer phrases

Question 22

Characteristics of a classical concerto harmony?

Answer 22

Mainly primary chords- I,IV,V

Question 23

What does a the conductor usually do in a classical concerto and why?

Answer 23

Follow the soloist. This allows the soloist to interpret their music as they wish

Question 24

Examples of famous composers of classical concertos?

Answer 24

Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven

Question 25

Where were classical concerto performed?

Answer 25

More public spaces: grander concert halls and opera houses

Question 26

Features of harmony and tonality in classical solo concertos

Answer 26

Simple harmony using mainly primary chords I,IV,V, diatonic harmony, modulations to related keys