Enlightenment and Early Romantic Era Music Notes

Music of the Enlightenment (Classical Era)

The Rise of the Freelance Artist

  • Shift from Patronage: During the Enlightenment, artists gained increasing freedom from obligations to patrons like the Church or wealthy aristocracy.

  • Options for Artists: Composers were no longer solely confined to working for a boss, allowing for greater artistic freedom and the development of new musical styles and forms.

Transitional Composers and Enduring Genres

  • CPE Bach:

    • Son of Johann Sebastian Bach (a Baroque composer).

    • Considered a transitional composer, bridging the Baroque and Classical eras.

  • The Symphony:

    • A significant genre that emerged in the Classical era.

    • Remains an enduring genre, with new symphonies composed today.

    • Expanded significantly in the Romantic era.

  • The String Quartet:

    • Became an established and popular genre within chamber music.

    • Moved from private aristocratic settings (like the 2,000 rooms in the Palace of Versailles) to performance in concert halls.

    • Instruments: Consists of $2$ violins, $1$ viola, and $1$ cello.

    • Versatility and Accessibility: The string quartet's versatile voicing allowed it to be played not only in grand palaces but also by middle-class families for entertainment.

    • Commercial Influence: Publishers requested composers to write string quartets for a wide range of performers, from high-level quartets to amateur musicians. More challenging pieces were often still commissioned by the aristocracy.

    • Example: A Haydn string quartet (linked in the text).

The Significance of the Piano

  • Replacement of the Harpsichord: The piano gradually replaced the harpsichord as the primary keyboard instrument of the Baroque era.

  • Harpsichord Sound Production: Produced sound by plucking strings.

  • Piano Sound Production: Uses felt-covered hammers to hit the strings, allowing for a wide array of sounds, colors, and dynamics.

  • Piano Forte (Original Name):

    • Resonance: Pitches could be sustained longer than on a harpsichord.

    • Pedals: Introduction of pedals (damper pedal, soft pedal, sostenuto pedal) allowed for greater expressive control, including sustaining notes, softening sounds, or creating resonant effects (e.g.,