classical - music history

When was the classical period?

1750-1820

How would you define the Classical period? How was it different from the Baroque?

We have previously defined Baroque to mean “ornate”, “highly decorative”, or “extravagant”. However, these features will become unfashionable in the later 18th century. The Classical period can be seen as a reaction to the extravagances of the Baroque and also a search for simplicity and clarity. The Classical period can be defined as “rational”, “clear-thinking”, “refined”, and “enlightened”.

Who were the two big composers?

Haydn and Mozart

What city became the music capitol?

Vienna would be Europe’s new cultural capitol thanks to prestigious art institutions and and many wealthy patrons. Much of the music publishing and performance during the Classical Period would come directly from Vienna. Vienna would become the home of some of history’s greatest composer

The Enlightenment

This new era would emphasize reason, simplicity, refinement, clarity, and enlightenment. Art would generally begin to mirror this intellectual shift. Musicians began to become more interested with refining the basic principles of harmony and simplifying the texture to bring about a greater clarity in the music. As a result, music would become less polyphonic. Instead, composers focused on homophony as their preferred texture.

Define texture

Texture is an important dimension of music. It refers to how the layers of the music are organized – AND the importance of these layers!

Texture is the organized layering of harmonic and melodic parts in a piece of music. The number of parts (1 or more) and their importance define what type of texture is being used (monophonic, polyphonic, homophonic, heterophonic).

Define Homophony

Homophony is the most popular texture. It is the pairing of a harmonic part with a melodic line. In this texture, the harmony is merely accompaniment. The melody is the important part.

Who was the “Father of the Symphony”

Haydn composed 104 symphonies. This astounding compilation of music was so significant that it set the standard for symphony writing going forward. Even though Haydn was not the first to compose a symphony he is still credited as the “Father of the Symphony” due to his undeniable significance.

Sturm und Drang

Sturm und Drang (storm and stress) was a compositional aesthetic which sought to depict deep afflictions of emotion and distress.

Opera Buffa

In the late Baroque, a newer and less serious form of opera began to emerge. Opera Buffa was coined to describe operas that were comedic in nature (as opposed to Opera Seria). In opera buffa, the dialogue was sometimes simplified by lighter instrumentation. In addition to this, the words were sometimes spoken rather than sung in recitative. This helped to give opera buffa a lighter tone more fit for comedy (rather than tragedy).

How many symphonies did Mozart write?

41

What was important about the last 3 Mozart symphonies?

In his later symphonies (39, 40, and 41), Mozart began to incorporate the Sturm und Drang technique which was heavily prevalent in the compositional style of Haydn. However, Mozart’s unique take on sturm und drang had a more “yearning” aesthetic to it. Mozart’s uniqueness now elevated the ideal of the music composer to that of a solitary genius searching for meaning through intense subjectivity and and self-expression

Sonata form

The Sonata Form is a way of structuring the sections of a piece of music. It has three important sections...

1. The Exposition – This is the beginning section. It introduces (or exposes) the thematic material that is used in the piece. All the memorably melodies are expressed here. However, they are not fully resolved. This is done so that they can be developed.

2. The Development – This is the middle section. It takes the materials from the expo and develops them. Developing means that the material is shown again with variation and in different keys and contrasting materials. It is the height of tension and conflict in the piece.

3. The Recapitulation - A recap of the exposition. The themes from the expo are brought back and fully resolved. The conflict is resolved in the piece which brings a satisfying end to the listener.

Sort symphony instruments into sections (String, Brass, Wind, Percussion)

String: violin, viola, cello, and double bass.

Wind: Flute, oboe, bassoon, and sometimes clarinet, piccolo, recorder

Brass: Horn, trumpet,

Percussion: Timpani, chimes, snares, tambourines, triangles, or cymbals.