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Classical period dates
1750-1815
Beginning and end of Classical period
Death of Bach marks the beginning and the defeat of Napoleon marks the end.
Meaning of 'Classical'
Perfection.
Three composers associated with 'Classical'
Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven.
Country where Classical style emerges
Italy.
Time of emergence of Classical style
1720s.
Country where Classical style develops
Vienna, Austria.
Empire dominating music during Classical period
Hapsburg empire.
Style reacting to Classical period
A departure from Baroque; emphasizing innovation.
Reason for more public concerts
Improved economy and a larger middle and upper class.
Locations of public concerts
Public buildings or taverns.
Melody characteristics in Classical period
Singable and not overly decorated.
Rhythm characteristics in Classical period
Flexible, not motoric.
Dynamics in Classical music
Deal with volume to enhance expression.
Crescendo
Going from piano to forte.
Decrescendo
Going from forte to piano.
Terms used to describe dynamics
Piano (soft) and Forte (loud).
Significance of dynamics in Classical period
Enhance expression in music.
Size of orchestras during Classical period
Larger than in Baroque, typically 40 instruments or less.
Reason aristocratic families disbanded orchestras in 1790s
Financial constraints due to industrial society.
Common wind instruments in Classical period
Oboe (woodwind) and French Horn (brass).
Family of the timpani
Percussion.
Reason violins are most numerous in orchestras
Their capability to play melodies well.
Concertmaster of an orchestra
First seat of the first violins; the lead violin player.
Key genre of Classical period
Symphony.
Importance of symphonies
Reflects societal changes with increased secular and instrumental music.
Reasons for the importance of symphony
Many composed, widespread throughout Europe, used to express complex ideas.
Function of symphonies
Entertainment.
Venues for symphony performances
Courts and public concerts.
Audience for court performances
Nobility.
Audience for public performances
Upper middle class.
Performers in court symphonies
Professionals.
Performers in public concerts
Professionals and amateurs.
Origin of symphony in the opera
Overture.
Early symphony structure in 1720s
Three movements: Fast, Slow, Fast.
Addition to symphony in Austria-Hungary c. 1750
Minuet: Fast, Slow, Minuet, Fast.
Reason for choosing minuet for symphony
It was a popular dance.
Structure of classical symphony
Four movements: Fast, Slow, Moderate, Fast.
Longest and most impressive movements in symphony
Movement 1 and Movement 4.
Form of first movement in symphony
ABA’ (Exposition, Development, Recapitulation).
Sections in first movement form
Exposition, Development, Recapitulation.
What happens in the Exposition section
Theme 1, Transition, Theme 2, Closing.
What happens in the Development section
Musical ideas are developed.
What happens in the Recapitulation section
Theme 1, Transition, Theme 2, Closing recapping.
Definition of 'theme and variations'
Presents a theme, followed by variations throughout the movement.
Definition of concerto
Three-movement instrumental piece for orchestra and soloist.
Purpose of concerto
To entertain.
Venues for concerto performances
Courts by professionals and public concerts.
Movements of a concerto
Three: fast, slow, fast.
Sonata form adaptation in concertos
Double exposition with both orchestra and soloist themes.
Structure of concerto movement
Exposition 1, Exposition 2, Development, Recapitulation.
Cadenza in concerto
Spotlight moment for the soloist.
Location of cadenza in first movement
Between Theme 2 and the closing of the recapitulation.
Definition of chamber music
Multi-movement works for one or a small group of players.
Performers of chamber music during this period
Amateurs.
Chamber music performance locations
At home.
Purpose of chamber music
For study and enjoyment among friends and family.
Why chamber music is profitable for composers
Higher number of amateur players increases publication sales.
Current performance venue for chamber music
Public concerts.
Instruments in a string quartet
2 violins, 1 viola, and 1 cello.
Father of the string quartet
Haydn.
Reason Haydn is called the 'Father of the String Quartet'
For writing many works and establishing the structure.
Movements in a string quartet
Four: Fast, Slow, Moderate, Fast.
Model genre for string quartet format
Symphony.
First movement form in string quartet
Sonata form.
Meaning of 'The Lark' quartet being Opus 64 No. 5
It is the 5th string quartet of Haydn's 64th publication.
Definition of sonata (genre)
Chamber music for one instrument with three movements.
Common number of players in a sonata
One.
Movements of a sonata
Three: Fast, Slow, Fast.
First movement form of sonata
Sonata form.
Operas based on pre-existing stories
They choose well-known books to avoid financial risk.
Best-known opera composer of Classical period
Mozart.
Name one opera by Mozart
Don Giovanni, Cosi fan Tutti, or The Marriage of Figaro.
Differences between Baroque and Classical opera
Variety of modern stories, overtures, use of tenor and bass, singable style, and varied structures.
Voices for male roles in Classical opera
Tenors and basses.
Complications of Don Giovanni post-#MeToo
Portrays sexual predation, a now problematic subject.
Reason Donna Anna’s arias resemble Baroque styles
Her wealth permits more elaborate singing.
Character of Leporello in opera
Comic, bass character; il basso buffo.
Language spoken by Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven
German.
City living for Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven
Vienna.
Reason they chose Vienna
Capital of the Hapsburg empire; a cultural center.
Genres composed by Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven
Symphony, Concerto, String Quartet, Piano Sonata.
First teachers of Mozart and Beethoven
Their fathers.
Mozart’s activities from ages 6 to 16
Toured Europe as a child prodigy.
Mozart's 'manager'
His father.
Mozart's feelings about working for nobility
Dislikes it; fired by archbishop.
Mozart's financial struggles in Vienna
Due to gambling.
How Romantic Period viewed Mozart's troubles
Seen as a misunderstood genius, not a gambler.
Haydn's musical training
Choirboy at Vienna Cathedral.
Haydn's 'two lives'
Servant to nobility and later, a public artist.
Duties of Haydn as chapelmaster
Write music, rehearse, perform, care for instruments.
Beethoven's societal perception
Seen as an artist, not a servant.
Cause of perception change for Beethoven
Change in societal values.
Beethoven’s view of music
Not just for entertainment; meant to express ideas.
Beethoven’s sources of income in Vienna
Teaching, commissions, publishing, and concerts.
Features distinguishing Beethoven's music
More intense, deeper, demanding, longer.
Heiligenstadt Testament
Beethoven’s letter about his hearing loss.
Reason Beethoven wrote the Heiligenstadt Testament
To express the pain of losing his hearing.
Comparison of Vivaldi and Beethoven's opus numbers
Higher demand for Beethoven's works due to middle-class growth.
Reason music of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven persists
Their compositions continued to resonate after their deaths.
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