Classical Terms

Question 0

Alberto bass

Answer 0

Accompaniment to melody, found in keyboard music consisting of broken triads, notes played lowest, highest, middle, highest. Name comes from Domenico Alberti 1710-1740, first composer to use it regularly. Also used by Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven in the Classical period as well in the 19th century.

Ex. Mozart: Sonata in A major, K. 331

Question 1

Absolute music (pure music)

Answer 1

Music composed simply as music, with no references to stories or paintings or any other non-musical subject. Important since there is no prescribed story or text to hold the music together. Classical symphony, concerto, chamber music are all examples of absolute music.

Ex. Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor
Haydn: Emperor Quartet
Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik

Question 2

Chamber Music

Answer 2

Music for small ensembles (2-10), with one player to a part. Named for its suitability for performance in a small chamber or salon. Classical era was golden age for chamber music, string quartet most important type. Duo sonata, trio sonata, quintet, sextet, septets and octets.

Ex. Haydn: Emperor Quartet, Quinten Quartet
Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik

Question 3

Coda

Answer 3

The last part of a piece, usually added to the sonata form to round off the action and to bring the movement to a close. Moderate length but Beethoven extended it to what amounts to a second development section.

Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor
Haydn: Emperor Quartet
Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik

Question 4

Cyclic structure

Answer 4

Structure or form in which musical material, such as theme, presented in one movement returns in a later movement as a kind of motto or unifying thread.

Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor (displays elements of cyclical structure, with each movement making reference to the three shorts and a long opening idea)

Question 5

Development

Answer 5

The second section of the sonata-allegro form. The theme of exposition is worked out. The composer may move through keys, break the theme into fragments, and recombine for fresh patterns.

Ex. Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor
Haydn: Emperor Quartet
Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik

Question 6

Diatonic harmoy

Answer 6

Harmony built from the seven tones of a major or minor scale. 18th century Classical music is based on diatonic harmony which gives the music its sense of being rooted in the key.

Ex. Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor
Haydn: Emperor Quartet
Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik

Question 7

Exposition

Answer 7

First section of sonata-allegro form in which themes are presented, one rhythmic, one lyrical. There is a transition or bridge that leads from the first theme in tonic to the second in dominant or relative major.

Ex: Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor
Haydn: Emperor Quartet
Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik

Question 8

Motive

Answer 8

Short melodic or rhythmic idea. The smallest fragment of a theme that forms a melodic-harmonic-rhythmic unit.

Ex: Beethoven: Symphony in C minor, First movement

Question 9

Minuet (Menuet) or Minuet and Trio

Answer 9

French dance in moderate triple meter popular in the Baroque and Classical eras, the trio is played by three instruments in Baroque. The minuet A and trio B in ABA form is usually found in the third movement of the Classical sonata cycle used in the string quartet, symphony and sonatas.

Ex. Haydn: String Quartet, Op. 76, No. 3 (Emperor Quartet), Third movement

Question 10

Recapitualtion

Answer 10

Third section of sonata-allegro form. Themes of the exposition are brought back but now played in tonic. The coda follows, bringing the movement to a close.

Ex. Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor
Haydn: Emperor Quartet
Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik

Question 11

Order of Freemasons

Answer 11

Freemason was a great society in the 18th century concerned with philosophical ideals of enlightenment, including nature, reason and the brotherhood of man.

Ex. Mozart: Die Zauberflote (The Magic Flute) Mozart was a freemason, his Singspiel was influenced by freemasonry

Question 12

Rocket theme

Answer 12

Consists of strongly rhythmic arppegiation of chords that rises rapidly from low to high register. A device of Mannheim contribution favoured in the Classical era in the works of Mozart and Beethoven.

Ex. Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik
Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Third movement

Question 13

Romanza

Answer 13

Italian for romance. Title with no strict formal application, composers use it as they fancy. In the Classical period, implied an instrumental piece of simple, tender, character.

Ex. Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik, Second movement (used

Question 14

Rondo

Answer 14

Musical form ABACA or similar pattern. A section repeatedly alternates with other contrasting sections.

Ex. Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik, Second movement
Stravinsky: Petrushka, First Tableau, Section One, Section Three

Question 15

Scherzo and trio

Answer 15

An ABA form (scherzo A, trio B) in triple meter. Since Beethoven used the rhythmic scherzo (jest or joke) to replace the graceful menuet, scherzo and trio often became the third movement of the sonata cycle used in the string quartet, the symphony, and others.

Ex. Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor

Question 16

Serenade

Answer 16

Evening music. Classical instrumental genre that combines elements of chamber music and symphony. Writing for small ensembles consisting if strings, or for woodwind instruments, in several movements. Often performed in the evening or at social functions. Chief purpose of entertainment.

Ex. Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik

Question 17

Sonata-allegro form

Answer 17

The most important structure of absolute music in the 18th and 19th centuries. Based on two themes in contrasting keys that are stated in the exposition, developed in the development, and restated in the recapitulation and coda. Used as opening movement of the sonata cycle and usually returns in finale and other movements.

Ex. Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor
Haydn: Emperor Quartet
Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik

Question 18

Sonata cycle

Answer 18

Multi movement structure found in sonatas, string quartets, symphonies, concertos and large scale works in the 18th and 19th centuries. Sonata-allegro form is used as opening movement of the sonata cycle and usually returns in finale and other movements.

Ex. Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor
Haydn: Emperor Quartet
Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik

Question 19

Sonata rondo form

Answer 19

Features both sonata-allegro form and rondo. Exposition ABA, Development C, Recapitulation ABA.

Ex. Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik

Question 20

String quartet

Answer 20

Chamber music consisting of two violins, viola and cello. Multi-movement, generally string quartet follows the four movement scheme of the sonata cycle.

Haydn: Emperor Quartet in C major, Op. 76, No. 3 or Quinten Quartet

Question 21

Symmetrical phrasing

Answer 21

Symmetry or the perfect balancing of parts, is an important aspect of Classicism. Classical melodies based on symmetrical four bar or eight bar phrases marked off by clear cut cadences. These devices make for balanced structures that are easily accessible to the listener.

Ex. Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik, First movement, Theme 1

Question 22

Symphony

Answer 22

Large scale work for orchestra popular in the Classical period.  In four sometimes three movements, based on sonata cycle.  First movement (sonata allegro form)
Second movement (lyrical in sonata allegro form, ABA, or theme and variations)
Third movement (graceful menuet and trio, or rhythmic scherzo and trio)
Fourth movement (vivacious sonata allegro)

Ex. Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor

Question 23

Theme and variations

Answer 23

Compositional procedure in which a theme is stated and then altered in successful statements. Used as an independent piece or as a movement (second) of a sonata cycle.

Ex. Haydn: Emperor Quartet in C major, Op. 76, No. 3, Second movement

Question 24

Viennese classical school

Answer 24

Name give to a group of composers who wrote in the classical music era in the late 18th century in Vienna. None of them born in Vienna but they spent entire careers there and died there. Their successor Schubert may also be included.

Ex. Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor
Haydn: Emperor Quartet
Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik