MUSIC - CLASSICAL PERIOD Flashcards
1750-1820
Classical Era/Period
Known as “Age of Reason”
Classical Period
The classical period was dominated by
Aristocracy / Aristocrats
Europe has begun new style in
architecture, literature, and the arts.
Classicism.
Aristrocracy
patrons of musicians and artists who have commonly influenced the arts.
The instrumental music was patronized primarily by the..
Nobility
What were the principles and characteristics of ancient Greece and Roman literature and art?
formal, elegant, simple, freed and dignified signify the term “Classical”.
practice of Alberti Bass.
is a style of broken chord accompaniment.
Sonata
- It came from the word Sonare which means “to make a sound”.
- is a musical composition composed of multi-movement for solo instrument or a small instrumental ensemble.
“Sonare”
- it is applied to a variety of
works for a solo instrument such as keyboard or violin.
Three movements of Sonata
- 1st Movement: Allegro—fast movement
- 2nd movement: Andante —slow movement
- 3rd movement: Minuet—It is in three-four time and in a moderate or fast tempo.
Sonata Allegro Form
The most important musical structure that was developed during the classical era
Three distinct section of Sonata Allegro Form
- Exposition—the first part of a composition in sonata form that introduces the theme.
- Development—the middle part of the sonata-allegro form where themes are being developed. It explores the harmonic and textural possibilities of the thematic material.
- Recapitulation - repeats the theme as it first emerged in the opening exposition.
Concerto
- It is composed of multi-movement work and it is made for an instrumental soloist and orchestra.
- intended primarily to emphasize the individuality of the solo instrument and to exhibit the virtuosity and interpretative abilities of the performer.
Three movements in Concerto
- 1st Movement: Fast: Sonata-allegro form with expositions of the orchestra and then by the soloist.
- 2nd Movement: Slow: Has more ornamentation than the first movement.
- 3rd Movement: Fast: Finale: usually in a form of rondo, resembling the last movement of the symphony and usually a short cadenza is used.
Symphony
- derived from the word sinfonia which literally means
“a harmonious sounding together”. - is an elaborate musical composition for the whole orchestra with generally four movements.
Four movements in symphony
- 1st Movement: Fast: Sonata-allegro form
- 2nd Movement: Slow: gentle, lyrical – typical ABA form or theme and variation
- 3rd Movement: Medium/Fast: uses a dance form (Minuet or Scherzo)
- 4th Movement: Fast: typically Rondo or Sonata form
an art form that musicians and singers perform a dramatic
theatrical setting.
Opera
The two distinct styles of Opera
- The Opera Seria (serious opera).
- The Opera Buffa (comic opera).
- The Opera Seria (serious opera).
- was inherited from the
Baroque period. “Idomeneo” by Mozart is an example of Opera Seria. - implies heroic or tragic
drama that employs mythological characters.
- The Opera Buffa (comic opera).
- from Italy.
- made use of everyday characters and situations, and typically employed spoken dialogues, lengthy arias and was spiced with sight gags, naughty humor and social satire.
- “The Marriage of Figaro”, “Don Giovanni”, and “The Magic Flute” are examples of popular Opera Buffa by Mozart.
What is the harmony and the? texture in the classical music
Homophonic
Pertain to the loudness and
softness were clearly shown through the extensive use of crescendo and
diminuendo.
Dynamics
Composers during Classical Period
- Franz Joseph Haydn (1732—1809)
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
- Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770- 1827)
Franz Joseph Haydn (1732—1809)
- was named “Father of the
Symphony” and “Father of the String Quartet” because of his great contributions to these genres. - was born on March 31, 1732 in Rohrau, Australia and died on May 31, 1809 in Vienna.
- His life was described as a “rags-to-riches” story. from a poor family and his music led him to rise in his social status.
- His personality and character reflect in his music and these are: calm, balanced, serious but with touches of humor.
Haydn Composed Works
Most of symphonies that he composed have its nicknames such as the “Surprise Symphony”, “The Clock”, “The Military”. He also wrote chamber piano music and choral works.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
- was born on January 27, 1756 in Salzburg, the archbishopric of
Salzburg, Austria and died on December 5, 1791 in Vienna. - widely recognized as one of the great composers in the history of Western music and
considered as the most amazing genius in musical history. - he was recognized as an exceptional pianist. Furthermore, at the
age of seven, he was already composing excellent music. He had written sonatas, concertos, symphonies, religious works, and operas and operettas in
the age of thirteen.
Mozart Composed Works
Some of the wonderful compositions (concertos, operas and symphonies) of Mozart are “The Marriage of Figaro” (1786), “Don Giovanni (1789), and “The Magic Flute” which became popular.
Other known works:
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Symphony No. 40 in G Major, and Sonata No. 11 in
A Major K311.
Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827)
- was born and baptized on December 17, 1770 in Bonn, the
archbishopric of Cologne in Germany and died March 26, 1827 in Vienna, Austria. - Beethoven belongs to the family of musicians and he studied music at an early age.
- predominant composer who bridged the late Classical era and the early Romantic era.
- started going deaf, when he was around 30 years old (1796).
Beethove compositions/ composed works
32 piano sonatas, 21 set of
variations, 9 symphonies, 5 concertos for piano, 16 string quartets and choral music.
The “Missa Solemnis” (1818-1823) and opera “Fidelio” (1805) are included to their works. His known symphonies are: Symphony No. 3 (Eroica),
No. 5, No. 6 (Pastoral), No. 9 (Choral), which add voices to the orchestra.
Characteristics of Beethoven’s works:
- His music veered toward larger orchestras.
- Cellos give his music a darker mood, and sound was centered on the violas and lower registers of the violins
- All themes in a piece are tied together by one motif.
- He developed musical themes and motifs extensively by means of modulation. He used more brass instruments and dynamics.
Nobility
- usually associated in the music of the Classical Era.
- most of the musicians are financially supported by the members of the nobility.
