Exam 2 Flashcards
Enlightenment
Eighteenth-century period in philosophy and letters during which thinkers gave free rein to the pursuit of truth and the discovery of natural laws.
How popular were public concerts and opera during the Enlightenment period?
The audience expanded greatly extending to the newly affluent middle class.
What was comic opera/ opera buffa?
A genre of opera that originated in the 18th century, portraying everyday characters and situations, and using spoken dialogue and simple songs.
Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro”
A comic opera. Antiaristocratic sentiment.
Pianoforte – how was this different from the harpsichord?
It could play more than one dynamic level. The piano could produce gradual dynamic changes, more subtle, yet rapid contrasts, and…ultimately…more power.
Alberti bass
A pattern of accompaniment whereby, instead of having the pitches of a chord sound all together, the notes are played in succession to provide a continual stream of sound.
What was the Viennese school?
Group of Classical composers including Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert, whose careers all unfolded in Vienna.
Franz Joseph Haydn (pronounced “Hi –den”) Know about his life and career. Who did he work for?
(1732-1809)
- Born poor in Austria.
- First of the great classical composers.
- Choirboy at St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna.
- Worked for the aristocratic Esterházy family.
- Wrote the London Symphonies.
- 106 symphonies, 70 string quartets, dozens of operas, 52 piano sonatas, 14 Masses, and 2 oratorios.
Why was Mozart considered a genius?
He had perfect pitch. As a child, he could identify the notes played in any chord, judge the pitch of an instrument within a quarter of a note. He could remember every note of a piece of music by hearing it once and reproduce it. He processed information with lightning speed and produced innovative creations that influenced society.
Who was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart? Know about his life and career
(1756-1791) -Born in Salzburg Austria. -Father Leopold Mozart was a violinist in the orchestra. -Child Prodigy. -Moved to Vienna. -Was the first Freelance Artist. -Wrote: "Se Voul Ballare" from Le Nozze di Figaro "Piano Concerto in C major. "Ein Klein Nachtmusik" "Overture to Don Giovanni" "Variations on Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" "Symphony No. 40 in G minor" "Piano Concerto in A major" "Opera Don Giovanni"
Exposition
In a fugue, the opening section, in which each voice in turn has the opportunity to present the subject; in sonata-allegro form, the principal section, in which all thematic material is presented.
Development
The centermost portion of a sonata-allegro form, in which the thematic material of the exposition is developed and extended, transformed, or reduced to its essence; often the most confrontational and unstable section of the movement.
Recapitulation
In sonata-allegro form, the return to the first theme and the tonic key following the development.
Know the following forms and how to diagram these ex: ABA - Ternary form.
Sonata-allegro form
A dramatic musical form that originated in the Classical period involving an exposition, development, and recapitulation, with optional introduction and coda.
Know the following forms and how to diagram these ex: ABA - Ternary form.
Movements of the Symphony and their forms.
- Sonata-allegro form
- A slow movement such as adagio
- A minuet or scherzo
- An allegro, rondo, or sonata
Know the following forms and how to diagram these ex: ABA - Ternary form.
Rondo Form.
Classical form with at least three statements of the refrain (A) and at least two contrasting sections (at least B and C); placement of the refrain creates symmetrical patterns such as ABACA, ABACABA, or even ABACADA.
Know the following forms and how to diagram these ex: ABA - Ternary form.
Theme and Variation form.
A musical form in which a theme continually returns but is varied by changing the notes of the melody, the harmony, the rhythm, or some other feature of the music.
Know the following forms and how to diagram these ex: ABA - Ternary form.
Double Exposition form for concerti.
A form, originating in the concerto of the Classical period, in which first the orchestra and then the soloist present the primary thematic material.
-Orchestral exposition, Solo exposition, development, etc.
What is the K or Kochel number.
An identifying number assigned to each of the works of Mozart, in roughly chronological order, by Ludwig von köchel (1800-1877)
String Quartet - What instruments are included? What is the form?
First violin, second violin, viola, and cello. Theme and Variation Form.
Sinfonia or symphony - define these terms
Sinfonia: (italian for “symphony”) a one-movement orchestral work that originated in Italy in the 17th century. Symphony: A genre of instrumental music for orchestra consisting of several movements; also, the orchestral ensemble that plays this genre.
Concerto - how many movements in this period?
Three movements.
Ludwig van Beethoven
(1770-1827) -Came from a family of musicians. -Born in Germany. -Violent alcoholic father made him practice the piano many hours a day and tried to exploit him as a child prodigy. Lied about his age. -Moved to Vienna to study with Haydn. -Played more forcefully and violently than others. -Touted his own genius. -Went deaf. -Wrote: "Piano Sonata, Opus 13, the Pathétique Sonata" "Symphony No. 3 in Eb major. "Eroica". "Symphony No. 5 in C minor". "Symphony No. 9 in D minor".
Scherzo
(Italian for “joke”) a rapid, jovial work in triple meter often used in place of the minuet as the third movement in a string quartet or symphony.
