The Classical Period
The classical era
The classical style
Characteristics of classical music
Contrast of mood
oContrast both between and within movements
Flexibility of rhythm
oMultiple rhythmic patterns for variety
Texture
oMostly homophonic, but with frequent shifts
Melody
oTuneful, easy to remember
oComposers borrowed popular tunes
Dynamics
Transition too period: 1730-1770
C.P.E and J.C Bach- early pioneers
Contrasted simplicity and clarity
Term classical
oGreek and roman antiquity
oAnything that is not rock, jazz, or pop
Music and visual arts stress balance and clarity of
structure Three main composers:
oJoseph Haydn
oWolfgang Amadeus Mozart
oLudwig Van Beethoven
Scientific advances changed worldview
oFaith in the power of reason
oUndermining of traditional authority social organizations and religious
establishment
oAge of enlightenment
oRise of the middle-class worker
Visual art
oMoved away from ornate baroque style
oFavored light colors, curved lines, and graceful ornaments
oEmotions expressed in shades of dynamics
oUse of gradual dynamic changes
oRelated to development of the piano (soft/loud)
End of basso continuo (circa 1775)
Orchestra size increased; standard group of 4 sections
oStrings: first/second violins, violas, cellos, double bass
oWoodwinds: flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons (2 of each)
oBrass: French horns, trumpets (2 of each)
oPercussion: 2 timpani
Composers exploited individual tone colors
Each section had a special role
oStrings most important with violins taking the melody
oWoodwinds added contrasting tone
oHorns and trumpets brought power to loud passages
oTimpani used for rhythmic bite and emphasis
Changing society affected musicians
oHaydn: worked 30 years for aristocratic family
oMozart: began at court, went freelance, died broke
oBeethoven: successful as independent musician
Prospering middle class wanted aristocratic pleasures (theatre, literature, music)
Instrumental works consist of several movements that contrast in tempo and character
o1st- fast
o2nd -slow
o3rd -dance-relaved
o4th -fast
The movements might use different forms
oABA
oTheme and variations
o Sonata
oMinuet and trio
o Rondo
Movements often contrast themes vividly
By movements end, musical tensions are resolved
Classical forms
Classical orchestra
Composers, patron, and public
Public, ticket buying concerts became common
Demand for printed music, instruments, and music
lessons Composers wrote playable music that would sell
Serious compositions flavored by folk and popular music
Also called sonata-allegro form
Refers to form of a single movement
Terhary form (ABA)- 3 main sections
o Exposition:
Initial statement of first and second themes
Entire section usually repeated
oDevelopment:
Tension building section
Themes broken into fragments- motives
o Recapitulation:
Resolution of tension
Restatement of first and second themes
Often concludes with a “tag” or tail- coda
Listening
oSymphony No. 4 in G minor, k. 550 by Mozart
oFirst movement
oSonata form exposition, development, recapitulation, coda
Became musical capital of Europe
Musicians came to study and seek recognition
Aristocrats wintering there would bring their orchestras
Musicians, included Mozart and Beethoven, frequently played gigs in wealthy
homes Many musicians also worked in serenading street bands
Single part form: no large contrasting “B” section (A A’ A’’ A’’’)
Basic idea presented and then repeated over and over
oEach repeat alters (varies) the musical ideas
oEach variation is about the same length as the original idea
oVariations may alter melody, harmony, rhythm, dynamics, timbre, or all of these
Listening
Vienna
Sonata form
Theme and variations
Features a tuneful main theme which returns over and
over Main rheme alternates with other
Common rondo patters
oABACA (small rondo)
oABACABA (large rondo)
oSimilar to modern pop music form
oSymphony No. 94 in G major by Haydn (surprise;1791)
oSecond movement
oTheme and variations form countermelody
Ternary form based upon stately court dance of baroque
Each ternary part is itself ternary:
oMinuet Trio. Minuet
o A B C
o||: a: ||:ba’| |:c: ||dc’: | |aba’||
Return of the minuet is usually marked on the music as da copo
Work for instrumental soloist and orchestra lasting 20-45 min
Usually 3 movements
Combines soloists virtuosity with power and timbres of orchestra
Break hear of first and sometimes last movement called cadenza
oShowpiece for the soloist (orchestra waits)
oOriginally improvised, classical composers notated cadenzas
Extended, ambitious composition lasting for 20 to 45 min
Multi-movement instrumental work
oFirst fast: frequently sonata form
oSecond slow: often sonata form, sometimes theme and variations
oThird dance: usually minuet and trio or scherzo (fast, dancelike) form
oFourth fast: frequently sonata or rondo form
Themes in one movement rarely appear in another movement
Rondo
Minuet and trio
Classical concerto
The classical symphony
The classical chamber music
Designed for the
