Music in the Enlightenment and Classical Era

Practice vocabulary flashcards covering the Enlightenment, the Classical orchestra, symphonic form, and sonata form.

The Enlightenment

A humanistic period from 1750 to 1815, also known as the Classical Era, which expanded on the Baroque desire for scientific knowledge, shifted concerns to the social realm, and championed individual rights.

Enlightenment Social Justice

A new ideal promoted by figures such as Voltair, Rousseau, and Thomas Jefferson with the goal of allowing individuals to live by their own convictions rather than those of a ruling class.

Enlightenment Opera

Opera that moved away from themes and characters associated with ancient Greece and Rome in favor of more everyday and contemporary characters.

Standardized Classical Orchestra

An ensemble composed of winds (2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons), brass (2 horns, sometimes 2 trumpets), strings (Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Double Bass), and percussion (timpani, sometimes snare drum and bass drum).

Tone Color (Timbre)

An element of sound that Classical composers became concerned with in order to create pleasing and varied music.

Dynamics

Loud and soft musical elements used by composers to create variety.

Symphony

A work for orchestra in 4 movements, whose structure is also important to chamber music such as string quartets.

Movement I (Symphonic Form)

The first movement of a symphony, which is generally moderate to fast and written in sonata form.

Movement II (Symphonic Form)

The second movement of a symphony, characterized by a slow tempo and written in a variety of forms.

Movement III (Symphonic Form)

The third movement of a symphony, played at a moderate tempo and structured as a minuet with trio.

Movement IV (Symphonic Form)

The final movement of a symphony, which is fast and generally written in sonata or rondo form.

Sonata Form

A large-scale A - B - A musical structure containing three main sections: Exposition, Development, and Recapitulation.

Exposition

The first section of sonata form, which is usually repeated and contains two themes separated by a transition, with Theme 1 in the main or home key and Theme 2 in a contrasting opposing key.

Development

The middle section of sonata form characterized by being fragmented and restless as it goes through many distant keys.

Recapitulation

The final section of sonata form in which both Theme 1 and Theme 2 return in the main home key.