Development of the Symphony - Harmony Essay Prep

Question 1

The Early Classical Period was during what approximate time frame?

Answer 1

1750-1770

Question 2

Was the music of the Classical Period heavily chromatic, or diatonic?

Answer 2

Mostly Diatonic - Either Major or Minor Keys

Question 3

How were cadences used in the Classical period?

Answer 3

Regular cadences used to punctuate balanced phrases.

Question 4

What were the common types of chords used in the Classical Period?

Answer 4

Mainly Primary Chords used (I, IV and V) with the odd use of chromaticism for colour

Question 5

How would composers modulate in the Classical Period?

Answer 5

Composers would modulate to closely related keys (within 2 accidentals of their current key)

Question 6

The chords found on what 2 scale degrees, were the preferred chords of the Classical Period?

Answer 6

Most commonly preferred chords were the I and V chords (Tonic and Dominant). Occasionally they would use the diminished 7th chord too.

Question 7

The Mature Classical/Early Romantic Period was during what approximate time frame?

Answer 7

1770-1830

Question 8

The Late Romantic Period was during what approximate time frame?

Answer 8

1830-1900

Question 9

Was the music of the Romantic period mostly chromatic, or diatonic?

Answer 9

Whilst still diatonic in nature, there was much more heavy usage of chromaticism in the Romantic period.

Question 10

What were the common types of chords used in the Romantic Period?

Answer 10

Composers still favoured primary chords to frame their music, however there wasn’t an over reliance on these anymore. Exploration became a regular feature of Romantic harmony and chords were often borrowed from other keys. Additionally, composers would add notes to chords to make extended harmony.

Question 11

How would Romantic composers create expressiveness in their music?

Answer 11

They would apply more dissonance to their music to evoke more rich expressive moments.

Question 12

Evidence Card

Stamitz in D (Op.3, No.2)

EARLY CLASSICAL PERIOD

Answer 12

• Use of basso continuo (remnant of the Baroque Period) meaning harmony was written from the bass upwards.
• Mostly diatonic and functional harmony.
• Primary Chords favoured (I, IV and V)
• Harmonic pedals used throughout
• Sonata form not fully established (Tonic key ends up returning in the development section; which is not found in sonata form)

Question 13

Evidence Card

Haydn Symphony No. 2 (1760)

EARLY CLASSICAL PERIOD

Answer 13

• Use of basso continuo - harmony written from the bass upwards.
• Simple, diatonic harmony with lots of circles of fifths in both transition and development of the first movement.
• Haydn uses the technique (quite common with Mozart too) to move the second subject in the minor key and then use the circle of fifths to move into the section that followed.