Classical Stylistic Features Flashcards
What kind of dynamics are typical of the classical period?
Dynamic contrast, often a sudden change in dynamic (terraced dynamics).
What are the typical rhythmic and metric features of classical pieces?
In minuets, a hemiola near cadence points.
Slow dotted rhythms in the intro and then a fast exposition is found in Italian overtures (often used in symphonies).
Quaver/semi-quaver accompaniment is quite typical of the classical period.
The alberti bass technique was often used.
What structures and forms would you expect to see in the classical period?
Rondo, sonata, ritornello, Da Capo aria, binary and ternary form.
Periodic and balanced phrasing.
Antecedent-consequent phrase structure.
Cadenzas.
Episodic and through-composed pieces.
Rococo (in response to baroque period, less formal, grandiose).
What are typical melodic features found in the classical period?
Melodies were often lyrical and built upon small, simple motifs.
1st subjects/themes were based on arpeggios and the 2nd subjects/themes were more lyrical.
Melodies were often sequential.
Cadenzas.
Repeated notes, arpeggio patterns, alberti bass in accompaniment.
Arpeggio patterns in melody too.
Anticipations and appoggiaturas, particularly near cadences.
Ornamentation (trills, arp.s, appog.s).
Sturm and Drang.
What typical instrumentation would be seen in the classical period?
Classic string setup with less curved bows.
Use of piano rathe than harpsichord.
SATB and baritone in vocal music.
Strings, woodwind, brass and percussion (timpani with V and I).
String quartets.
Dramatic gestures.
Vocal coloratura and long melismatic passages in operas.
Natural brass such as French horn, trumpet and trombone.
Bel Canto (beautiful singing) style.
Tutti strings in octaves.
Horns on 5ths and “da caccia” (hunting motifs) style.
Tremelo in strings.
What typical tonal features would you see in a classical piece?
Tonal sequences.
Both tonal and harmonic circle of fifths.
Modulation to related keys (dominant, subdominant).
What textures were typical of the classical period?
Homophonic (melody and chordal accompaniment), antiphonal, monophonic. LESS polyphony and counterpoint. Pedals, parallel 3rds/6ths/octaves. Ostinatos, canons and imitation. Suspensions.
What is typical harmony in classical pieces?
Both tonal and harmonic circle of fifths.
Cadential 6/4, passing 6/4.
Harmonic sequences.
Appoggiaturas, suspensions and anticipations.
Simple, tonal harmony.
Neapolitan, German, French and Italian sixths.
Primary and secondary chords, secondary chords often with 7ths.
Diminished 7ths (minor keys especially).
Chromatic inflections.
Antecedent-consequent phrases.
Frequent cadences.
What is a recitative piece/section?
Half spoken, half sung.
What is a cadenza?
Either improvised or a written-out, very ornamented melodic passage, to allow virtuosic playing usually by the soloist.
What does it mean when a piece is through-composed?
A piece that is either non-repetitive, not interrupted by dialogue or was composed in linear order.
What is antecedent-consequent phrase structure?
An imperfect cadence with a perfect cadence following (typically a few bars later).
What is an aria?
Originally any passage containing an expressive melody performed usually by a singer.
The more common definition of aria is a passage, within a larger piece of music, written for one voice and either accompanied or not accompanied.
Da Capo aria form is usually found in opera and oratorio in the baroque period and involves one voice with a small instrumental accompaniment.
What was the Rococo style?
Refined ornamentation, light and intimate music. Two of JS Bach’s sons were heavily involved in this style.
What is Sturm and Drang?
Literally “storm and drive”.
Often in a minor key with angular melodies, unpredictable interval leaps and melodic contours.
Frequent tempo and dynamic changes with pulsing rhythms and syncopation.
Meant to convey difficult/depressing feelings.
