Chapter 13 - Classical Chamber Music

1-15 connect assignments required

Chamber Music - Small Ensemble

• commissioned by wealthy patrons for performances in palace chambers

• Intimate - players seated close to each other

• Each player easily heard

• Players communicate by gesture, no conductor necessary

• String quartet (2 violins, viola, cello) became the most important chamber music genre of the classical era

Franz Joseph Haydn (1732 - 1809)

• spent most of his life in Vienna, Austria

• Well known educator

• Gave lessons to Beethoven (He was friends with Mozart too)

• Court Musician (employed by a wealthy family, almost for 30 years)