The Classical Era of Music Flashcards
What are the approximate dates of the classical era?
c. 1730-1820
Who were the top five classical era composers?
1) Franz Joseph Haydn
2) W. A. Mozart
3) Ludwig van Beethoven
4) Pergolesi
5) Domenico Scarlatti
6) Johann Stamitz
7) Carl Philip Emmanuel Bach
8) Gluck
List five of the seven the major forms of compositions of the classical era?
1) Mass, 2) Missa Brevis, 3) Missa Solemnis, 4) Oratoria, 5) Requiem, 6) Vespers, and 7) Choral Symphony
1) Mass. During the Classical period, masses involved orchestra, soloists, and choir in a fully integrated work, utilizing organizational principles derived from instrumental forms.
2) Missa Brevis. This concise treatment of the mass text may consist of strictly delimited development, simultaneous setting of several lines of text, or the omission of certain sections of the mass.
3) Missa Solemnis. When choral musicians refer to the Missa Solemnis they are usually speaking of Beethoven’s Mass in D Major, a milestone in the development of choral music. In a broader sense, however, the term refers to a more elaborate and extended musical treatment of the mass text than that employed in the Missa Brevis.
4) Oratorio. The Baroque oratorio tradition, begun by Carissimi and culminating in the works of Handel, was continued in the Classical period primarily by Haydn, who wrote two oratorios, The Creation and The Seasons, which have remained an important part of the choral repertoire.
5) Requiem. the Classical period produced a setting by Mozart (completed by a student following Mozart’s death) that has become a staple of the choral repertoire and two settings by Cherubini that are also often performed.
6) Vespers. Mozart wrote two settings of this service each of which includes psalms and the Magnificat, written for choir, quartet of soloists, and orchestra.
7) Choral Symphony. A symphony which includes sections written for choir and orchestra. The earliest and probably best known example of this is Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, incorporating choir and soloists in the fourth movement.
What are five major compositions from the classical era.
Franz Joseph Haydn
1) Symphony in E-Flat Major, No. 99
2) String Quartet in F Major, Op. 77, No. 2
3) Mass in D minor, No. 11
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
1) Piano Concerto in E-GFlat Major No. 9, K. 271
2) Symphony in D Major, K. 504
3) Don Giovanni; The Magic Flute
Ludwig van Beethoven
1) Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 2, Moonlight Sonata
2) Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13, Sonata Pathétique
3) Symphony No. 3, No. 3, Op. 55; Erocia
List five compositional genres of the classical era.
1) Opera: a. Seria, b. Buffa, c. Comique, d. Singspiel
2) Oratorio
3) Sonata
4) Symphony
5) String Quartet
6) Chamber Music
7) Sinfonia = Italian Overture
8) String Quartet
9) Serenades
10) Divertimento
List five movement forms of the classical era.
1) Binary
2) Rounded Binary
3) Ternary
4) Minuet - Trio
5) Sonata Form
6) Rondo
7) Sonata-rondo
8) Theme and Variations
9) Concerto first-movement form
10) Concerto sonata-rondo form
What is the Galant Style?
In reaction to the structures of the serious, “learned” style of the Baroque, early 18th centure musicians and music lovers turned to the new galant style. Its light, elegant, and entertaining qualities were preferred in the aristocratic salons that now seemed to replace the church as the center of music culture.
ie. Appoggiaturas, Snap rhythms (short-long); decorated down beat, mordents, short trills, triplets mixed with duplets.
What is opera seria?
Opera seria is an Italian musical term which refers to the noble and “serious” style of ITALIAN opera that predominated in Europe from the 1710s to c. 1770.
What is opera buffa?
Opera buffa is a genre of opera. It was first used as an informal description of Italian comic operas. It is especially associated with developments in Naples in the first half of the 18th century, whence its popularity spread to Rome and northern Italy. It was at first characterized by everyday settings, local dialects, and simple vocal writing (the basso buffo is the associated voice type), the main requirement being clear diction and facility with patter.
What is opera Comique?
The term opéra comique is complex in meaning and cannot simply be translated as “comic opera”. The genre originated in the early 18th century with humorous and satirical plays performed at the theatres of the Paris fairs which contained songs (vaudevilles), with new words set to already existing music.
What is Singspiel
A Singspiel (literally “sing-play”) is a form of German-language music drama, now regarded as a genre of opera.[1] It is characterized by spoken DIALOGUE, which is alternated with ensembles, songs, ballads, and arias which were often strophic, or folk-like. Singspiel plots are generally comic or romantic in nature, and frequently include elements of magic, fantastical creatures, and comically exaggerated characterizations of good and evil.
What is binary form?
Binary form is a musical form in two related sections, both of which are usually repeated. Binary is also a structure used to choreograph dance. In music this is usually performed as A-A-B-B
What is rounded binary form?
Occasionally, the B section will end with a “return” of the opening material from the A section. This is referred to as rounded binary, and is labeled as ABA′. In rounded binary, the beginning of the B section is sometimes referred to as the “bridge”, and will usually conclude with a half cadence in the original key. Rounded binary is not to be confused with ternary form, also labeled ABA—the difference being that, in ternary form, the B section contrasts completely with the A material as in, for example, a minuet and trio. Another important difference between the rounded and ternary form is that in rounded binary, when the “A” section returns, it will typically contain only half of the full “A” period, whereas ternary form will end with the full “A” section.
