MUS 150 - Classical Smartbook

Select all the composers of the classical era.

Haydn

Mozart

Beethoven

Handel

Haydn

Mozart

Beethoven

Select all the statements that illustrate how classical composers created expression of mood in their music.

The composers firmly controlled changes of mood in their music, however abrupt or extreme the change might be.

The composers sought to convey specific moods by devoting each theme to a single mood.

The composers emphasized balance through unity and logic in music with a wide emotional range.

The composers were unable to control moods in their music, so unity and logic suffered.

The composers firmly controlled changes of mood in their music, however abrupt or extreme the change might be.

The composers emphasized balance through unity and logic in music with a wide emotional range.

Select all the characteristics of rhythm in music of the classical era.

Classical music has unexpected pauses and syncopations.

In classical music, a change from one rhythmic pattern to another might be sudden or gradual.

Classical music had changes in rhythm within a movement.

A classical piece contains a few rhythmic patterns that are repeated through the work.

Classical music has unexpected pauses and syncopations.

In classical music, a change from one rhythmic pattern to another might be sudden or gradual.

Classical music had changes in rhythm within a movement.

Which statement best describes the use of texture in classical compositions?

Classical compositions are easily identified by their polyphonic textures.

Classical music is said to lack texture.

Classical pieces fluctuate between different textures.

Classical music sticks to one texture throughout a piece.

Classical pieces fluctuate between different textures.

How are classical melodies typically structured?

One long phrase

Two short phrases followed by a long third phrase

Two phrases of equal length

Two phrases, the first twice as long as the second

Two phrases of equal length

Who were some of the pioneers of the new preclassical period, or style galant?

Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven

Haydn and Mozart

Mozart's sons

Bach's sons

Bach's sons

What was one of the ways in which composers of the classical era achieved more expression in their music?

By using crescendos and decrescendos, or gradual changes in volume

By having pianos play together with harpsichords

By using terraced dynamics that change abruptly

By adding striking dissonances that created suspense and a need for resolution

By using crescendos and decrescendos, or gradual changes in volume

Select all the statements that describe mood in classical-era music, particularly in contrast to baroque music.

Classical music fluctuated between dramatic and carefree moods.

Classical music had a narrow emotional range.

A classical movement can have contrasts within a theme.

A classical movement presented only one mood.

Classical music fluctuated between dramatic and carefree moods.

A classical movement can have contrasts within a theme.

Why did the basso continuo become obsolete in the classical era?

Classical composers wanted to highlight the harpsichord more than was possible with its role playing basso continuo.

Classical composers wanted more control over their compositions than was possible with performers improvising the basso continuo.

The basso continuo was too loud for the types of compositions classical composers wrote.

Classical composers shunned the basso continuo because it strictly governed composition and structure.

Classical composers wanted more control over their compositions than was possible with performers improvising the basso continuo.

What use of rhythm in classical music differs from baroque music?

Rhythmic changes in classical music are always long and gradual, whereas baroque music features sudden shifts in rhythm.

Classical music is largely arrhythmic, whereas in baroque music, rhythm is the most important feature.

Classical music features a variety of rhythmic patterns, whereas baroque music is limited to a few patterns.

Classical music features only one or two rhythmic patterns, whereas baroque music features a wide variety of rhythms.

Classical music features a variety of rhythmic patterns, whereas baroque music is limited to a few patterns.

Select all the groups of instruments that were standard in the orchestras of Haydn and Mozart.

Keyboards

Woodwinds

Strings

Brass

Woodwinds

Strings

Brass

Select all the ways the texture of music of the classical period differ from that of the baroque period.

Texture in classical music tends to be polyphonic rather than homophonic.

Homophony, when used, featured two simultaneous melodies imitating each other.

Texture in classical music tends to be homophonic rather than polyphonic.

Classical pieces can shift flexibly from one texture to another.

Texture in classical music tends to be homophonic rather than polyphonic.

Classical pieces can shift flexibly from one texture to another.

What role did woodwinds primarily play in the classical orchestra?

Carrying the main melody of the piece

Bringing power to loud, climactic sections

Adding contrasting tonal colors and playing melodic solos

Adding rhythmic bite and emphasis

Adding contrasting tonal colors and playing melodic solos

Which best describes the balance and symmetry in a typical melody of the classical era having the form a a'?

Two phrases of the same length, one with an inconclusive ending followed by a similar one with a conclusive ending

Two contrasting phrases, to add variety to the piece

Two phrases that start the same way, but one is double the length of the other

One phrase that is played through and then repeated in exactly the same manner

Two phrases of the same length, one with an inconclusive ending followed by a similar one with a conclusive ending

Select all the typical practices for composers of the classic era.

Using one theme in the strings, another theme in the brass, another theme in the woodwinds

Contrasting themes vividly

Having the music pause to signal the entrance of a new theme

Using two or more themes in one movement

Contrasting themes vividly

Having the music pause to signal the entrance of a new theme

Using two or more themes in one movement

Select all the reasons that explain why the piano replaced the harpsichord in the classical period.

The piano could play gradual changes in dynamics, which composers liked.

The piano could play only loud or soft and could not make gradual changes in dynamics.

The piano was more portable than the harpsichord and easier to keep in tune.

Varying the finger pressure on piano keys varied the dynamics.

Varying the finger pressure on piano keys varied the dynamics.

The piano could play gradual changes in dynamics, which composers liked.

One reason that basso ______ became obsolete during the classical era was that more and more music was written for amateurs who could not master the difficult art of improvising from a figured bass.

crescendo

baroque

decrescendo

continuo

continuo

Select all the ways that middle-class tastes influenced classical music.

Classical composers wrote more comic operas, some with plots that ridiculed the aristocracy.

Early classical composers wrote pieces that were easy for amateurs to play.

Classical composers used folk songs as themes in instrumental music and composed melodies with a rustic (country) flavor.

Classical composers wrote more waltzes because symphonies were too long to hold the public's attention.

Classical composers wrote more comic operas, some with plots that ridiculed the aristocracy.

Early classical composers wrote pieces that were easy for amateurs to play.

Classical composers used folk songs as themes in instrumental music and composed melodies with a rustic (country) flavor.

Select all the descriptions that apply to the orchestra of the classical period.

It consisted of string, wind, brass, and percussion instruments.

It generally had over 100 instruments.

French horns ceased being used.

The clarinet began to be used.

It consisted of string, wind, brass, and percussion instruments.

The clarinet began to be used.

Select all the composers who worked in Vienna during the classical period.

Vivaldi

Haydn

Mozart

Beethoven

Haydn

Mozart

Beethoven

Which instrumental family has the melody in the classical orchestra?

Strings

Woodwinds

Timpani

Brass

Strings

To achieve an even more conclusive ending, composers often added a ______ (meaning tail in Italian) at the end of a movement in sonata form.

introduction

coda

exposition

prelude

coda

In a classical-era work for orchestra or string quartet, the tempos of the four movements typically followed which of the following patterns?

Fast/slow/fast/dance related

Fast/slow/dance related/slow

Fast/slow dance/fast dance/fast

Fast/slow/dance related/fast

Fast/slow/dance related/fast

What usually comes at the end of the exposition section of the sonata form?

A decrescendo

A brief solo

A long pause

A repeat sign

A repeat sign

How was the use of dynamics in the classical period different from the use of dynamics in the baroque period?

Classical music was consistently loud and shunned soft dynamics.

Classical music introduced gradual increases and decreases in dynamics

Classical music featured abrupt shifts between dynamics.

Classical music avoided the use of terraced dynamics.

Classical music introduced gradual increases and decreases in dynamics

Which section of the sonata form is the most dramatic, featuring harmonic tension caused by rapid key modulations?

Coda

Development

Recapitulation

Exposition

Development

Select all the reasons public concerts were so important for the middle class in the classical period.

They related to the content of the operas or tunes of the music.

Court performances were not accessible to them.

It was a form of passing time since the middle class were mostly illiterate and uneducated.

They wanted to hear the latest music, just like the nobles.

They related to the content of the operas or tunes of the music.

Court performances were not accessible to them.

They wanted to hear the latest music, just like the nobles.

What is one crucial change to how the first theme, bridge, second theme, and concluding section are presented in the recapitulation?

A new melody is added into the mix with these elements.

The entire section is in homophonic texture.

The minor key dominates the section.

All principal material is now in the tonic key.

All principal material is now in the tonic key.

Which European city was the musical center during the classical period?

Rome

Paris

Venice

Vienna

Vienna

What is the function of a coda?

It rounds off the movement by repeating themes or developing them further.

It brings in a new texture and fluctuates between the new and previous ones.

It is almost always in the minor key.

It adds final tension to the movement by introducing a new key.

It rounds off the movement by repeating themes or developing them further.

Which of the following correctly represent the typical sequence of events in a movement in sonata form?

development →

exposition→ recapitulation→ coda

exposition → development → recapitulation→ coda

exposition → development → repeat development → recapitulation → coda

exposition → recapitulation→ development → recapitulation → coda

exposition → development → recapitulation→ coda

Select all the techniques a composer might use to vary the main theme in a theme-and-variations movement.

Change from major to minor or vice versa

Change to a new theme

Alter the harmony

Change the dynamics

Change the texture

Change from major to minor or vice versa

Alter the harmony

Change the dynamics

Change the texture

Select all the roles of the exposition section of the sonata form.

Presents only one key and theme

Works solely as a bridge from introduction to development of themes

Sets up a strong conflict between tonic key and the new key

Shows conflict between groups of themes

Sets up a strong conflict between tonic key and the new key

Shows conflict between groups of themes

What are motives?

Various voices

Short musical ideas

Triad chords

Changes in texture

Short musical ideas

Select all the characteristics of the first movement of a classical symphony.

A slow introduction may precede the fast first movement.

It has a fast tempo and dramatic mood.

It has more lyrical melodies and a slower tempo.

It is usually in sonata form.

A slow introduction may precede the fast first movement.

It has a fast tempo and dramatic mood.

It is usually in sonata form.

What is the most important aspect of the recapitulation in sonata form?

The modulation between the first and second themes creates just the right amount of tension.

All the important material such as the second theme are in the tonic key.

Both the first and second themes are heard in new keys.

All the themes, key areas, and development of the exposition are brought back for a grand finale.

All the important material such as the second theme are in the tonic key.

The first movement of a classical symphony is almost always in which form?

Rondo

Sonata form

Minuet and trio

Theme and variations

Sonata form

Which one of these often ends with a coda?

Rondo

Sonata form

Minuet and trio

Them and variation

Sonata form

Select all the statements about Haydn's childhood and youth.

As a teenager, Haydn became a church organist.

Haydn served as a choirboy in Vienna.

Haydn was born in an Austrian village.

For a time, Haydn made a living playing violin on the streets.

Haydn was born in an Austrian village.

Haydn served as a choirboy in Vienna.

For a time, Haydn made a living playing violin on the streets.

What form has one theme that is repeated again and again and changed each time?

Theme and variations

Minuet and trio

Sonata form

Ritornello form

Theme and variations

How is a symphony unified?

By using the same theme in every movement

By using the same key in some of its movements

By including lyrics with instrumental melodies.

By having just one melody and texture

By using the same key in some of its movements

What is a distinguishing feature of Haydn's most popular symphonies?

They were performed only in private concerts.

They are slow and mournful.

He wrote only three of them.

They have nicknames.

They have nicknames.

Which movement of a classical symphony tends to be the most dramatic?

The third movement

The first movement

The fourth movement

The second movement

The first movement

Select all the statements about Haydn's early career.

Haydn entered the service of the Esterházy family, for whom he worked for almost thirty years.

Haydn was given the rank of skilled servant.

Haydn composed a vast amount of music in many forms.

Haydn took a leave of absence from his musical duties to serve in the Austrian army.

Haydn entered the service of the Esterházy family, for whom he worked for almost thirty years.

Haydn was given the rank of skilled servant.

Haydn composed a vast amount of music in many forms.

Select all the statements about Mozart's adult career.

He left Salzburg at 25 and had some years of success as a freelance performer and composer in Vienna.

He became popular in Prague, especially with the opera The Marriage of Figaro (1786).

He became friends with Haydn, who considered Mozart the greatest composer he knew or had ever heard of.

He enhanced his success as a composer and performer with vast business interests in publishing and concert promotions.

He left Salzburg at 25 and had some years of success as a freelance performer and composer in Vienna.

He became popular in Prague, especially with the opera The Marriage of Figaro (1786).

He became friends with Haydn, who considered Mozart the greatest composer he knew or had ever heard of.

ome of Mozart's greatest works are his ______, which he wrote to feature many different instruments such as the piano, violin, oboe, and bassoon.

symphonies

arias

string quartets

concertos

concertos

Select all the assessments of Haydn's musical style.

It often had a sense of humor.

His Viennese style failed in London.

It was robust, direct, and with a sense of optimism.

It was influenced by folk music and his love of nature.

It often had a sense of humor.

It was robust, direct, and with a sense of optimism.

It was influenced by folk music and his love of nature.

Select all the statements that apply to how characters are portrayed in Mozart's operas.

Their stage actions rarely match the music, creating a sense of tension and mystery.

Each character's emotions match the mood of a single theme played throughout the opera.

Even in ensemble settings, their individual personalities shine through.

Their emotions evolve and change through shifts in the tenor and tone of the music.

Even in ensemble settings, their individual personalities shine through.

Their emotions evolve and change through shifts in the tenor and tone of the music.

Select all the statements about Mozart's childhood and youth.

He could improvise fugues at age 6, compose symphonies by age 8, and wrote his first opera at age 12.

He learned the operatic style practiced in Italy at that time when he traveled there.

He retired from touring at age 15 and spent the rest of his life in a comfortable job as a court musician.

He was a child prodigy who toured throughout Europe, performing before the public and before Louis XV of France and other royalty.

He could improvise fugues at age 6, compose symphonies by age 8, and wrote his first opera at age 12.

He learned the operatic style practiced in Italy at that time when he traveled there.

He was a child prodigy who toured throughout Europe, performing before the public and before Louis XV of France and other royalty.

Select all the genres of instrumental music at which Mozart excelled.

Cantatas

String quartets

Operas and operettas

Piano concertos

Symphonies

Symphonies

Piano concertos

String quartets

Select all the techniques used by Mozart to express emotion in his operas.

Crescendos and decrescendos

Two violins playing octaves

Muted violins and a flute playing in unison

Long compositions featuring only percussion instruments

Two violins playing octaves

Crescendos and decrescendos

Muted violins and a flute playing in unison

Select all the statements about Beethoven's final years.

After age 44, Beethoven was completely deaf and he could not perform piano in public or conduct effectively.

During his late years, he regained some hearing, and he was able to compose some of his greatest works.

After he went completely deaf, Beethoven composed magnificent piano sonatas, string quartets, and the 9th Symphony.

Beethoven initially used ear trumpets to hear, and he used notebooks to communicate with people in writing.

After age 44, Beethoven was completely deaf and he could not perform piano in public or conduct effectively.

Beethoven initially used ear trumpets to hear, and he used notebooks to communicate with people in writing.

After he went completely deaf, Beethoven composed magnificent piano sonatas, string quartets, and the 9th Symphony.

How are the third movements of Beethoven's symphonies and string quartets different from traditional third movements?

They often feature a rondo rather than a traditional minuet.

They often feature a scherzo rather than a traditional minuet.

They often feature a theme and variations rather than a traditional minuet.

They are often slow and somber, while a traditional third movement is lighthearted and fast.

They often feature a scherzo rather than a traditional minuet.

Select all the statements about Beethoven's adult career.

Beethoven received an annual income from Napoleon after dedicating his Third Symphony, Eroica, to him.

In Vienna, Beethoven became popular with the public and nobility alike.

Beethoven received an annual income from three noblemen so he would stay in Vienna.

Beethoven began to lose his hearing in his late twenties but found a new determination to be a composer in his Heiligenstadt Testament (1802).

In Vienna, Beethoven became popular with the public and nobility alike.

Beethoven received an annual income from three noblemen so he would stay in Vienna.

Beethoven began to lose his hearing in his late twenties but found a new determination to be a composer in his Heiligenstadt Testament (1802).

Select all the statements about Beethoven's musical style.

Using the classical forms and techniques of Mozart and Haydn, Beethoven added innovations that bridged the classic and romantic eras.

To relieve the tension and drama of his ever-longer movements, Beethoven used light and humorous codas in the style of Haydn.

Beethoven composed long movements, yet used various means of unity to give his works cohesion.

Beethoven's music has strong tension and dissonances, wide ranges of pitch and dynamics, and titanic climaxes.

Using the classical forms and techniques of Mozart and Haydn, Beethoven added innovations that bridged the classic and romantic eras.

Beethoven composed long movements, yet used various means of unity to give his works cohesion.

Beethoven's music has strong tension and dissonances, wide ranges of pitch and dynamics, and titanic climaxes.