Classical Period PP Notes

The Classical Period (1750-1820)

Overview of the Era

  • Time Frame: 1750-1820

  • Significant cultural, historical, and artistic developments marked this period.

Timeline of Arts & Letters
1750-1770

  • Publication of the French Encyclopedia begins (1791)

  • Voltaire, Candide (1759)

  • Rousseau, The Social Contract (1762)

1770-1820

  • Fragonard, The Swing (1776)

  • David, Death of Socrates (1787)

  • David, Napoleon at St. Bernard (1800)

  • Goethe, Faust (1808)

  • Austen, Pride and Prejudice (1813)

  • Goya, The Third of May (1808)

  • Scott, Ivanhoe (1819)

Historical & Cultural Events
1750-1770

  • Seven Years’ War (1756-1763)

  • Watt invents steam engine (1769)

1770-1820

  • Louis XVI reigns in France (1774-1792)

  • American Declaration of Independence (1776)

  • Joseph II reigns in Austria (1780-1790)

  • French Revolution begins (1789)

  • Napoleon becomes first consul of France (1799)

  • Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815)

Timeline of Music

1750-1770

  • Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 1

  • Haydn: Symphony No. 1 (1759)

  • Mozart: Symphony No. 1 (1764)

1770-1820

  • Haydn: Symphony No. 45 (Farewell)

  • Mozart: Don Giovanni, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik

  • Mozart: Symphony No. 40

  • Haydn: Symphony No. 94 (Surprise)

  • Haydn: Trumpet Concerto in E-flat major (1796)

  • Beethoven: Piano Sonata in C minor, Op. 13 (Pathétique)

  • Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor (1808)

  • Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor (Choral, 1824)

Characteristics of Classical Music

  • Style Dominance: The classical style was characterized by homophony, with a single melodic line supported by accompaniment.

  • Form Development: The era saw the emergence of new musical forms, notably the sonata, which evolved continuously throughout this period.

  • Interest in Clarity: Emphasis was placed on clarity in melodic expression and instrumental color.

  • Orchestral Development: The orchestral literature expanded significantly, with orchestras gaining greater color and flexibility as a result of the inclusion of clarinets, flutes, oboes, and bassoons as permanent members.

Transition from Rococo to Classical

Rococo Style

  • Originating in France, Rococo is described as a light, embellished art style that served as a transitional phase from the Baroque to the Classical period.

Evolution of Musical Characteristics

  • Distinct features emerged, such as shorter phrases, well-defined cadences, and diatonic harmony becoming more common than chromatic harmony.

  • The use of dynamics emphasized combined contrasts, leading to the gradual replacements of harpsichords with pianos due to their capacity for dynamic expression.

Basso Continuo and the Orchestra

  • Basso Continuo: Gradually abandoned in the Classical period; compositions specified accompaniment rather than relying solely on improvisational interpretation.

  • Orchestra Characteristics: The Classical orchestra consisted of four primary sections: strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion, with larger numbers of musicians compared to previous eras.

Classical Forms in Music

Instrumentation Forms

  • Symphonies and String Quartets: Typically consist of four movements, contrasting in tempo and character. Usually follows the order:

    1. Fast Movement

    2. Slow Movement

    3. Dance-related movement (often a minuet or scherzo)

    4. Fast Movement

Movement Forms

  • Composers could choose from forms such as A-B-A or theme and variations in composing individual movements.

  • Classical movements often showcased contrasting themes, marking a clear departure from the Baroque period’s reliance on single main themes.

Sonata Form

  • Development of Sonata Allegro Form: A pivotal form that allowed for a more open structure compared to earlier Baroque forms like fugues or rondeaux.

  • It generally consists of:

    • Exposition: Presentation of themes, which is often repeated.

    • Development: Thematic material undergoes exploration and variation, introducing rapid key changes.

    • Recapitulation: The original themes return in the home key, often modified, leading to a thematic closing called the Coda.

Example: Mozart's Symphony No. 40

  • Form Analysis:

    • First Movement: (Molto allegro)

    • Exposition introduces the urgent first theme, which repeats with variations.

    • Development section furthers tension through thematic transformations.

    • Recapitulation resolves themes back to home key, concluding with energetic coda.

Theme and Variations

  • Definition: The simplest form where a clearly stated theme is followed by its varying iterations. Variations can range from simple key changes to complex restatements that may obscure the original theme.

  • Example: Haydn's Symphony No. 94 "Surprise" exemplifies the use of this form.

Minuet and Trio Form

  • Structure: Written for listening, not dancing; composed in A B A form, where the minuet is often contrasted by the trio.

  • Historical Note: The term 'trio' refers to a three-instrument performance but as time went on, this section often involved more musicians, making the minuet the simpler of the two sections.

Scherzo and Trio

  • A faster variant of the minuet, maintaining an A B A layout with an energizing rhythmic drive, often filled with humor. Beethoven preferred this format in many of his works.

Rondo Form

  • Definition: A musical form that features a principal theme alternating with contrasting episodes, similar to a musical conversation.

  • Common Patterns: Include forms such as ABACADA, often seen in the final movement of symphonies, concertos, and chamber works.

Impact of Key Composers

Franz Joseph Haydn

  • Contribution: Known as the father of modern music; established the forms of symphony, string quartet, and piano sonata.

  • Life Events: Born in Rohrau, Austria; began composing while working in the service of Prince Esterhazy.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

  • Contribution: Prodigy with immense influence on classical music, known for his operas, symphonies, and concertos.

  • Life Events: Born in Salzburg; toured Europe extensively before establishing himself in Vienna, where he continued to compose despite financial struggles.

Ludwig van Beethoven

  • Contribution: Seen as the bridge between Classical and Romantic music, expanding the scope of musical expression.

  • Life Events: Known for a prolific output despite becoming increasingly deaf; his compositions challenged traditional forms and expectations.

Legacy of the Classical Period

  • The Classical era laid down a robust framework in form and structure for the musical developments that followed, influencing countless composers and defining a considerable portion of Western music's evolution.

Notable Works

  • Haydn: Symphony No. 94 (Surprise), Symphony No. 104 (London)

  • Mozart: The Marriage of Figaro, Symphony No. 40, Requiem

  • Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 (Eroica), Symphony No. 9 (Choral)