RCM History 9

When was the baroque period?

1600-1750

Baroque definition

From portuguese barroco meaning “irregularly shaped pearl”

derogatory term for the overly ornate style of the time

Major-minor tonal system

Music based on major and minor scales (replaced the modal tones favoured at the time)

Terraced dynamics

Abrupt change of volume level to create a stark contrast

Figured bass

Numbered placed below the bass line to show harmonic progression for guided improvisation (AKA basso continuo)

Basso continuo

2 performers, one playing the notated bass line, and one playing the harmonies shown by the figured bass (Usually the harpsichord or organ)

Polyphonic texture

2 or more independent voices work together by layering melodies

The affections (AKA the affects)

Refers to the emotional state of the soul that can be projected through the entire work

Ornamentation

Musical embellishment that decorates a musical line

Idiomatic writing

Highlighting the unique capabilities of the instrument and showing off the virtuosity of the player

What years did Antonio Vivaldi live? Where was he born?

1678-1741

Venice, Italy

What is Vivaldi known for?

Being a violinist, conductor, composer, and catholic priest

What contributions did Vivaldi make to baroque music?

Contributed to the development of the three-movement concerto structure

Established the ritornello form

Developed idiomatic writing for strings

Incorporated programmatic writing

Concerto

Popular instrumental genre of the baroque era for soloists and orchestrsa

Three movements (Fast-slow-fast)

Uses ritornello form

Shows of the virtuosity of the soloist

Ritornello form

Structure used in first and third movement of baroque concerto

Opening passage (ritornello) is restated through the movement as a refrain

Ripieno

Term used to show the full orchestra is being used

Ostinato

Rhythmic/melodic pattern that is repeated across an extended period of time

Pedal point

a note/series of notes sustained through harmony changes in other parts

Programmatic writing

Music with a descriptive element that’s inspired by something that isn’t music (Poem or sonnet)

How does Vivaldi use programmatic writing in the first movement of Spring?

Spring has arrived - spirited rhythmic figures with bright character and dance quality

Birds singing - high pitched trills with repeated notes

Murmuring streams - violin play rapid and undulating figure

Storm clouds - tremolando passage (quick repetition of notes) played by the violins to be thunder and thirty-second note scales are the lightening

How does Vivaldi use programmatic writing in the second movement of Spring?

Goatherd sleeping in a meadow with his dog while leaves rustle - solo violin has slow and long melodic lines to show the sleeping goatherd

Leaves rustling - violin’s dotted note figure in parallel thirds show leaves

Viola ostinato represents the barking dog

How does Vivaldi use programmatic writing in the third movement of Spring

Nymphs and shepherds dance - lifting compound meter creates a dance character

Bagpipes - bass pedal point suggests the drone of bagpipes

What years was Johann Sebastien Bach alive? Where was he born, what was his family profession?

1685-1750

Born in Eisenach, Germany

Came from a family of musicians

accomplished organist and violinist

What are some key events in Bach’s musical career?

1708-1717 - Court organist and chamber musician for the Duke of Weinmar

1717-1723 - Kapellmeister (music director) to Prince Leopold of Coethen

1723-1750 - Cantor of St Thomas School (Leipzig), included roles of teaching, composing, and directing choirs

1729 - Director of the Collegium Musicum (performing ensemble for university students)

What are some key musical style and contributions Bach made?

Composed in every genre except Opera

Used his faith as a Lutheran for the basis of all his music

Master of counterpuntal art

Absorbed influences from international styles (French, Italian, and German)

Perfected existing forms rather than defining new ones

Equal temperament

A method of tuning keyboard instruments so that the octave is divided into twelve equal half steps (allowing to play in all keys)

Prelude

A short keyboard work that is improvisatory and homophonic, paired with a fugue

Fugue

A polyphonic piece that is highly structured, using a single theme through three voices

What are the three voices of a fugue?

Voice 1 - States the theme (AKA subject)

Voice 2 - Repeats the theme in a lower interval with a slight variation (answer)

Voice 3 - Theme in a lower register (repeat of subject)

Counterpoint

Combination of two or more independent melodic lines (AKA polyphonic texture)

Subject

Initial statement of the main theme of a fugue in the tonic key

Countersubject

Accompanying notes that are turned into a new melody to accompany the subject or answer

Answer (and two types)

Answer: The second statement of the main theme in a fugue that’s usually in the dominant key

Real answer: An exact transposition of the subject where all intervals remain the same

Tonal answer: A transposition where some notes are different

Episode

A passage in a fugue where neither the subject or the answer are present

What are the four standard dance forms that Bach employed in his music?

Allemande: Serious piece, slow duple meter

Courante:

• French: Slower in ¾ or 6/8 and using hemiolas

• Italian: Quicker in ¾ or 3/8

Sarabande: Slow, expressive piece in the triple meter with an emphasis on beat 2

Gigue: Quick, in 6/8 or 12/8, triadic (italy) or dotted rhythms with a slower tempo (France)

Which French and Italian qualities did Bach employ?

French:

• Ornamentation

• Dance Rhythm

• Flourishes

Italian:

• Operatic lyricism

• Ritornello form

• Idiomatic writing

What are the key features of Section A of Prelude in B-flat major

Broken-chord passages played in 32nd notes

Lots of 32nd note runs

Ends in F major (dominant key)

What are the key features of Section B of Prelude in B-flat major

Keeps toccata style with rapid cadenze runs from arpeggio seventh chords

Requires a lot of virtuosity

Style is more improvised compared to section A

What are the parts of the Fugal exposition?

1. Subject is presented in the top voice and is unusually long, with two motives (first is disjunct and outlining the tonic-dominant seventh harmony, the second is conjunct for the same harmony)

2. Tonal answer plays in the middle voice, while the countersubject (CS1) plays in the top voice

3. Subject in the bass voice, CS1 in the middle voice, CS2 in the top voice, and tonal answer in the upper voice

What events happen in the middle section of the fugue?

• First episode leads into G minor

• Subject appears in G minor than the tonal answer plays in C minor

• Second episode leads to E flat major

• A partial (two-measure) tonal answer is interrupted by the complete entry in E flat Major (false stretto)

What events happen in the final section of the fugue?

• Concludes with tonal answer in B flat major (tonic key)

• Final four measures are the coda, bringing the coda to a close

When was George Frideric Handel alive? Where was he born?

1685-1759

Born in Halle, Germany

What are some key events in Handel’s life?

1703-1706 - Worked as a violinist and harpsichordist in opera orchestras in Hamburg

1706-1710 - traveled around Italy

1712 - Moved to London and has the royal family as his patron (Queen Anne)

1719 - Founded the Royal Academy f Music (promoting Italian opera in Long)

1742 - Premier of the Messiah in Dublin for a charity concert

Which international elements did Handel absorb into his music?

German Counterpoint, Italian opera, French overture, English Choral style

What musical style and contributions did Handel make?

Alternating homophonic (homorhythmic) and contrapuntal textures (polyphonic)

Using very basic musical elements to make his style more accessible and appealing

Uses dramatic pageantry and theatrical style

Employed word painting

Extended sequential writing

Oratorio

Large scale work for soloists, chorus and orchestra usually based on biblical texts and consists of recitatives, arias, ensembles, and choruses

Developed during the baroque period

French overture

Baroque orchestral genre that was the orchestral introduction to the opera or oratorio

Done in two parts:

• Part 1 - slow tempo, homophonic textures, with dotted figures

• Part 2 - fast tempo, imitative texture

Liberetto

The text of an opera, oratorio, or cantata that’s usually written by someone other than the composer

Recitative

Speech-like style of singing used in operas, oratorios, and cantatas that’s used to advance the plot

Recitativo secco

“Dry recitative”

A speech-like style of singing which is supported only by the continuo (chords from the piano)

Recitativo accompagnato

“Accompanied recitative”

Recit accompanied by the instrumental ensemble or orchestra

Aria

Solo song with accompaniment that’s highly emotional and virtuosic, with dramatic or lyrical qualities

Italian for “Air”

da capo aria

Aria using ternary form (ABA) with the return of the A section being more ornamented

Word painting

The music mirrors the literal meaning of the words

Melisma

A group of notes sung on a single syllable/vowel used to highlight key words and show off virtuosity

Homorhythmic texture

All voices sing or play the same rhythm

What are the three parts of Messiah about?

Part 1: Prophecy of the coming of Christ and his birth

Part 2: Christ’s suffering and death, the spread of his doctrine

Part 3: Redemption of the world through faith

What are the two parts of the Overture and what are their defining features?

Section A:

• Tempo: Grave

• Homophonic

• Dotted figure rhythm

• Majestic and stately

Section B:

• Tempo: Allegro moderato

• Polyphonic (fugal) texture

• Three voices

• Subject introduced by 1st violin and oboe with tonal answer

• Energetic and lively

What are key points about “There were shepherds”?

• Soprano recitative

• Alternates Recitativo secco and recitativo accompagnato

• Recitativo accompagnato uses word-painting (16th notes show trembling of the fearful shepherds and later the angels’ wings)

• Text: When angels told the shepherds Christ was being born

What is the

Word painting

Of Glory to God (chorus)?

Word painting: “Glory to God in the highest” is in the upper register (indicating heaven), while “and peace on earth” is in the lower register (showing it’s on earth)

What are the aspects of Sections A and B in Rejoice Greatly?

Section A: “Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice greatly…”

• Word painting: “Rejoice greatly” has a joyful and celebratory character shown through the runs (melismas) and “shout” is exclaimed with a burst of sound in the upper register

Section B: “He is the righteous saviour…”

• Key: G minor

• Minor mode and expansive vocal line contrast by making a more introspective modd

What are key features of Hallelujah?

• Homorhythmic texture on opening “Hallelujah” delivers the text clearly and powerfully

• Imitative polyphony on “and he shall reign for ever and ever” reinforces the phrase

• Rising sequence "(king of kings) builds towards the climax

• Trumpet and drums increase the overall mood of joy and praise

When was the Classical Era?

1750-1825

What were the four styles that were popular during this time?

Style galant: Simpler melodies with more song-like and delicate ornamentation (homophonic textures, clear difference between the melody and accompaniment)

Sturm und Drang: Heightened emotion and dramatic contrasts

Empfindsamer Stil: Introspective and expressive (Fast rhythm with chromatic harmonies)

Sonata form: Contrast presented through musical journey, symmetry

Classicism

Culture of the ancient Romans and Greeks, and the art, architecture and music of the classical period that reflected symmetry, balance, and proportion

Viennese School

The musical style forged by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven and their contemporaries

Absolute music

Instrumental music without any extramusical associations (AKA pure music)

Sonata form

A formal structure used in the first movement of a sonata cycle

What are the parts of Sonata form?

1. Introduction (not required): Slow, in the tonic key, creates musical suspense

2. Exposition: Introduces 2 contrasting themes

   1. Theme 1: Sets tonic key, melody, rhythm and mood

   2. Bridge: Moves to the new key

   3. Theme 2: Sets new key, rhythm and melody (dominant or relative major)

   4. Codetta: Extends final cadence into the new key

3. Development: Manipulates theme from exposition with fragmentation, modulation, etc and may introduce new themes

4. Recapitulation: Reuses material from the exposition but all 4 stages are done in the tonic

5. Coda (not required): Concluding section in the tonic key

Sonata cycle

Multi-movement structure that emerged during the Classical era

When was Franz Joseph Haydn alive? Where was he born?

1732-1809

Born in Rohrau Austria to a poor family

What are some key events in Haydn’s life?

Recruited as a choirboy to St. Stephen’s Catherdral in Vienna where he learned violin, harpsichord, and singing

1759 - Begins a full time position as Kapellmeister to Count Ferdinand Von Morzin

1761 - Employed by the Esterhazy family as the assistant Kapellmeister in Eisenstadt

1766 - Moves with Esterhazy family to their estate (Hungary) - supplied all music for the court opera house, theater, and chapel as he was employed by Prince Nikolai

1790 - Retires to Vienna after Prince Nikolai is succeeded by Prince Anton (who didn’t care for music)

1794 - Second trip to London where last six symphonies receive critical and financial acclaim

1795 - Moved back to Vienna permanently

What was the musical style and contributions of Haydn?

Father of the symphony and string quartet

Contributed to the development of Sonata form

Included interesting sound effects (Pedal points for bagpipes, etc)

Sudden dynamic changes and abrupt silence contributed to musical playfulness

Chamber music

Music for a small ensemble (two to ten players) where there is one player per part and it is performed without a conductor

String quartet

The most important chamber music genre of the classical era

Performing forces: first violin, second violin, viola, and cello

Usually in four movements: fast- slow - moderately fast - fast with the first movement in sonata form

Themes and variations

A work featuring a melody (theme) that is modified in a series of variations, usually used in the slow movement of the sonata cycle

What are key details about the Emperor quartet and it’s Second movement?

Written in honour of Emperor Francis (Austria)

Composed in 1797 in four movements

The second movement is based on the anthem “God Save Emperor Francis)

What are key aspects of the theme and 4 variations?

Theme

• Theme is played by the first violin with five phrases following aabcc

• Marked dolce "(sweetly)

• Homophonic texture

Variation 1

• Theme played by the second violin

• Instrumental reduction to only 2 violins

• First violin accompanies with delicate 16th note figuration by the first violin

Variation 2

• Theme played by the cello

• Contrapuntal lines interweave above the melody with 1st and 2nd violin using syncopation

• First violin intros chromatic inflections

Variation 3

• Theme played by viola

• Accompaniment plays chromatic harmonies

• Violins continue syncopation

Variation 4

• Theme played by first violin in middle register, before jumping to upper register

• Inflections in E minor create a more somber tone

• Modulates back the G major at the end of Section A

• Section B reinforces dominant and tonic through cello pedal points

When was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart alive? Where was he born and what were some key aspects of his childhood?

1756-1791

Born in Salzburg Austria

Child prodigy taught by his father Leopold Mozart in Harpsichord, piano, organ, violin, and composition

What are key events in Mozart’s life?

1769 - Becomes the unpaid concertmaster at the court where his father was employed, new archbishop comes in and begins to pay him but the relationship is bad and he’s frequently fired then rehired then fired

1778 - Mother died while touring Paris with Mozart

1779 - Opera “Idomeneo” sees success in Munich

1781 - Moved to Vienna where he worked as a freelance pianist, teacher, and composer

1786 - Successful premier of The Nozze di Figaro and named the Imperial Court Chamber Music Composer to Emperor Joseph II (Austria?)

Died impoverished and buried in an unmarked grave

What are the musical style and contributions of Mozart?

Explored all classical genres

Utilized symmetrical phrase structure (4-measure phrases)

Contributed to the development of the Sonata form

Contributed to the establishment of the concerto structure with a double exposition in the first movement

Made import contributions to

• Opera seria (serious italian opera, sung throughout)

• Opera buffa (italian comic opera, sung throughout)

• Singspiel (German comic opera, with spoken dialogue)

Absorbed vocal qualities and melodic lyricism into his music

What Genres did Mozart write for?

Symphonies, Concertos (variety of instruments), chamber (quartets, duos, trios, etc), piano, operas, vocal (motets and masses, etc)

Serenade

Multi-movement orchestral genre for a small orchestra or a chamber ensemble, often performed in aristocratic social settings

Rocket theme

Rapidly ascending melody outlining an arpeggio used as a dramatic motive

Menuet and Trio

Ternary form following ABA

Menuet: A stylized dance developed in the Baroque era with a triple meter and graceful character

Trio: Contrasting middle section

Rondo form

Classical form used in the sonata cycle where the A section is alternated with contrasting sections (A usually heard minimum 3 times in the tonic key)

Sonata-Rondo form

Combines elements of sonata form and rondo form with the typical layout being ABACABA

What is the

Key

Form

Tempo

Meter

of the First Movement of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik?

Key: G major

Form: Sonata form

Tempo: Allegro

Meter: 4/4

What are the components of the First Movement of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik?

Exposition:

• First theme: Played in unison and outlining the tonic and dominant seventh chords. Homophonic texture with the melodic line played by violin

• Bridge: Modulates to D major (V), first violins outline G maj triad before ascending scale moves into D major

• Second theme: Contrasts with the first theme, melody taking a playful downward turn, triplket figure and piano dynamic. Built from repeated eight-note figure

• Codetta: All instruments briefly play in unison ending in an authentic cadence in D major

Development:

• First theme material in D major

• Moves from D major to C major featuring material from theme 2

• Emphasizes the dominant at the end to prepare for a return to the tonic key

Recapitulation

• First theme returns exactly as it was presented in the exposition with a bridge cadence in D major

• Second theme is in G major

• Coda ends with a reference to the first theme

What are the components of the Second Movement (Romanza) of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik?

Section A:

• Lyrical character that is simple and elegant

• Unfolds over the tonic pedal

• Balance achieved with clear cut four measure phrases and clear cadences

• Internal structure is rounded binary form

Section B:

• Introduction of new melody

• Becomes more active rhythmically

• Melodic line is embelished

Section A

Section C:

• New key of C minor

• imitative dialogue between the outer parts

• 16th note figure in inner voice is repetitive and creates a more active character

Section A: Returns in C major

Coda: Comes from the Section A material bringing the movement to a gentle close

What are the components of the Third Movement of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik?

Menuet:

• Internal structure is rounded binary

• Phrases are typically 4 measures long

• forte dynamic and robust character

• Dance-like quality created through rhythmic accentuation

Trio:

• New key of D major (V)

• Contrast created through the sotto voce (a lowered volume to a whisper)

• Lyrical character with legato lines and chromatic inflections

Menuet: Returns in G major

What are the components of the Fourth Movement of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik?

First theme:

• Spirited, light-hearted character

• Opens with rocket theme outlining tonic arpeggio

Second theme:

• begins with downward turn on minor sixth

• Stepwise motion

• Employs more chromatic embellishments

What years was Ludwig van Beethoven alive? Where was he born?

1770-1827

Born in Bonn, Germany and came from a musical family

What are some key events in Beethoven’s life?

1787 - Traveled to Vienna but had to return to Bonn after mother’s death and became responsible for two younger brothers

1792 - Moved to Vienna and was able to become established and attract patrons

1795 - First solo appearance in Vienna followed by tour through Europe

1795 - Began to lose his hearing

1814 - Made his last concert appearance as a pianist

Completely deaf by the end of his life

What was the musical style and contributions of Beethoven?

Highly innovated and influential

Developed and expanded Classical genres (sonata, concerto, symphony, and string quartet)

Replaced the menuet with the Scherzo in the menuet-trio

Used cyclical structures

Employed programmatic elements

Included chorus and soloists in symphonies

Incorporated new orchestral instruments

Symphony

A multi-movement orchestral work with one movement in Sonata form and following a fast-slow-moderate-fast movement

Cyclical structure

Materials heard in one movement reoccur in another movement

Scherzo and trio

Scherzo is also in triple meter but is more dramatic than the elegant menuet and contains the same contrasting middle section (trio)

What are Beethoven’s 3 periods and their key traits?

Early period (1782-1802): Classical traits and Strum und Drang influences very evident

Middle Period (1803-1815): Romantic elements such as chromaticism, and abrupt modulations

Late Period (1815-1827): Style becomes more abstract and meditative, with more use of counterpuntal writing

What are the components of the Exposition of the First Movement from Symphony Number 5

First theme

• Four note motive introduced (short-short-long-short)

• First theme grows out of the initial motive with descending statements

Bridge

• Grows out of the first theme

• Played fortissimo by French horns

• Modulates to the new key of E flat major

• Unusually short (only 3 seconds)

Second theme

• In E flat major (relative major)

• Played by Woodwinds and first violins

• Piano and legato phrases create contrast

• Motive (short-short-long-short) in the cellos and basses as the persistent background

Codetta

• First-theme material dominates the codetta

Exposition is repeated twice