Classical Period

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.