Classical Period

What are the dates of the classical period?

1750-1815

What marks the beginning and end?

Bach dies, the defeat of Napoleon and a restructuring of Europe

What is the meaning of the term “classical”?

Perfection

Which three composers did historians have in mind when coming up with the term “Classical?

Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven

In what country does the style of the Classical period emerge?

ItalyA

At about what time?

1720s

In what country does the style develop?

Austrian Empire

What empire dominates music in this period?

Austria

What is the style of the classical period reacting to?

Reacting against the decoration of the Baroque

Why are public concerts becoming more common?

Better economy with industrial revolution

Where do public concerts take place?

Bars, taverns, and public buildings

What is melody like in this period?

Singable

What is rhythm like?

Flexible

What are dynamics?

Deals with volume

Mention two terms used to describe dynamics?

Soft and loud

Why are composers using dynamics so prominently?

It intensifies expression

How large are orchestras in this period?

~50 players

Why are aristocratic families disbanding their orchestras in the 1790s?

It was too expensive, too large, source of wealth shifted to the industrial economy

Besides strings, mention two wind instruments commonly used in this period. 1 woodwind and 1 brass

Flute and French horn

To what family of instruments does the timpani belong?

Percussion

Why are violins the most numerous instruments in orchestras?

They play the melody very well

Who is the concert master of an orchestra?

The best violin player

What is the most important genre of this period?

Symphony

How does the importance given to this genre reflect changes in society?

The music was secular, society was becoming more secular and instrumental music was becoming just as important as vocal

Give three reasons explaining its importance. 

Thousands composed, spread to the rest of Europe, used by composers to express meaningful musical ideas

What is its function?

Entertainment

What were the two venues where this genre was performed?

Orchestral works were played in courts by private orchestras and public concerts in bars and taverns by professional orchestras

For whom in each of the two?

Nobility and ordinary people

From what section does an opera does this genre originate?

Overture

How many movements does the early symphony have, what is the tempo of each?

1720s - fast, slow, fast

What type of piece was added to it in Germany circa 1750?

The moderate (minuet)

Why was this piece chosen to be part of a symphony?

It was already known from King Louis XIVH

How many movements does the symphony have, what is the tempo of each?

Fast, slow, moderate, fast

Which are the longest and most impressive movements?

1st and last

What is the form of the first movement?

Sonata

What is the name of each of the sections of this form?

Exposition, development, recapitulation

Explain what happens in each section

Exposition - presenting two ideas

Development - developing two ideas

Recapitulation - bring back ideas but transformed

What is a “theme and variations”?

When an idea undergoes transformation through dynamics, rhythm, or melody

What is a concerto?

Instrumental piece for orchestra + soloists

What is it’s purpose?

Entertainment

What were the two venues where this genre was performed?

Courts and public concerts

How many movements does it have? What is the tempo of each

Fast, slow, fast

How is sonata form adapted to a genre that features an orchestra and a soloist? Explain.

They do a double exposition so both the orchestra and the soloist can play

Who did W.A. Mozart write his concertos for?

Himself

To play where?

In Vienna alongside an orchestra

What is a cadenza?

Soloist playing a very impressive piece

What is it’s purpose?

For the soloist to show their skill

Where in the first movement is the cadenza located?

It is at the end of the first movement in the recapitulation

What is chamber music?

Instrumental music for a small group of instruments or solo instruments

Who performed chamber music during this period?

Amateurs

Where?

In homes

For what purpose?

Entertainment

Why is chamber music profitable for composers?

Amateurs buy it to learn how to play

Where is chamber music performed today?

Public concerts

What instruments are in a string quartet?

2 violins, 1 viola, 1 cello

Who is the father of the string quartet?

Haydn

Why?

He created the structure 

How many movements are there in a string quartet? What is the tempo of each?

Fast, slow, moderate, fast

What genre is being used as a model for this format?

Symphony

What is the form of the first movement?

Sonata form

What do we mean when we say the “Lark” quartet is No. 5 of Haydn’s Opus 64?

It is the fifth out of six work published in Opus 64

What is a Sonata? 

A musical piece for the piano modeled after the concerto

What is the most common number of players in a Sonata?

1 or 2

How many movements does it have? What is the tempo?

Fast, slow, fast

What is the form of the first movement?

Sonata form

What do we mean by stating “Operas are based on pre-existing stories?”

They are based in some sort of true story that has happened

Who composes the best known operas in the period?

Mozart

Give the name of one of them

Don Giovanni

Mention 5 differences between opera in the Baroque and in the classical period. Mention story, overture, male voices used, singing style, and structure of scenes

Story - not based on history or mythology

Overture - reflects the music played during the opera

Male voices - now tenors and basses

Singing style - more natural

Structure of scenes - still use arias and recitatives, broken up by ensembles, choruses, and dances

What voices sing male roles in this period?

Tenors and basses

Why is Don Giovanni a complicated opera to perform after the #MeToo movement?

Because he raped women

Why is Donna Anna singing arias that resemble decorated Arias of the baroque?

She is upper class and more sophisticated

Why is Leporello, a bass, a comic character that sings tuneful arias?

Funny characters are always working class

What language did these three composers speak?

German

In what city did they all live?

Austria

Why did they choose this city?

It had the most musical opportunities

Mention four genres all of them composed.

Symphonies, concertos, string quartets, piano sonatas

Who were the first teachers of Mozart and Beethoven?

Their fathers who were professional musicians

What did Mozart do from age 6 to 16?

He toured as a child prodigy and played for nobility and in public

Who was his “manager”?

His father

How did he feel about working for the church/nobility?

He hated it because he did not like being told what to do

Why did he struggle financially in Vienna if he was a musician in high demand?

He was a big spender

How were the financial troubles interpreted in the Romantic Period?

They saw them as a society that was not fit for a perfect man

Where did Haydn receive his musical training?

Cathedral School in Vienna

Why do we say Haydn had “two lives”?

Because he spent a large portion working for nobility and then had time as a self-employed composer

What made his “second life” possible?

Music was in higher demand in the public and nobility were disbanding private orchestras

Mention four of his duties as chapel master for the Esterhazy family. 

Write music, rehearse orchestra and singing, perform daily, and take care of instruments

How was Beethoven seen by society?

As an artist

What brings about this change?

There was a greater demand for music because of a growing middle class and better economy

Did Beethoven see music as merely entertainment? Explain

No, his music was not for entertainment it was to say something significant

Mention the four sources of income used by Beethoven to support himself in Vienna.

Play public concerts, publish music, teach, take commission

What are four features that make Beethoven’s music different from that of Haydn and Mozart?

It was more intense, had more depth, was longer, and was more demanding for both the singer and the listener

What is the Heiligenstadt Testament?

A letter Beethoven wrote in the countryside when he was deaf that read as a suicide note

Why did Beethoven write it?

He could not hear anything at all and felt he had no purpose anymore

How can we explain that Vivaldi had 12 opus numbers, while Beethoven had 138?

There was a higher demand for music because of a growing middle class

Why did the music of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven continue to be played after they passed away?

The middle class enjoy their music and in the Romantic Period, they, the middle class, become the main consumers of music.

How does this reflect changes in the economy of Europe?

Larger middle class in an industrial economy.