The Classical Era (1750-1820) Year 10 IGCSE October 2009

The Age of Enlightenment Believed in progress, rising middle class American and French revolutions Humanitarian Ideals/reason and knowledge Liberty, Equality and fraternity!

Musical Style Polyphonic texture to simple melodies Light and graceful music (style gallant) Epitome of classical music 1770-1820 Music printing and increase amateur performances Opera and concerto grosso becomes symphony Suite became sonata

Elements of Music Characteristics Changes of mood Can be sudden (unlike Baroque) but unified Rhythm Flexible (sudden or gradual) Texture Homophonic – but can change, more vertical schemes Melody Tuneful and sometimes borrowed Balanced and symmetrical Dynamics Range and not just terraced dynamics, crescendos used piano instead of harpsichord (1775) – forte piano Basso Continuo Obsolete – more amateur friendly – rid improvising

Standard Orchestra Strings, Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion Larger number of musicians (25-60) Specific timbres considered Continuo disappeared Conductor with baton and clarinet! More balanced between strings and winds Orchestra more like that of today

Baroque Orchestra

Classical Orchestra

Modern Orchestra

Form 4 movements usually Symphony = 4 movements, orchestra 1. Fast 2. Slow 3. Dance-related movement 4. Fast Symphony = 4 movements, orchestra string quartets = 4 movements, 2 violins, viola, cello Sonata = one or two instruments (most formal, developed by Haydn and Mozart) CONTRASTING THEMES in one movement BALANCE OF SECTIONS (tension resolved)

Life in Classical Period Composers affected – breaking free from control Haydn Mozart Beethoven More public concerts – spread through Europe Middle class people started playing instruments More demand for printed music More comic, vulgar

Sonata Allegro Form Single movement form – usually the form of the 1st movement of symphony, quartet or sonata 3 sections:ABA Exposition: Development Recapitulation CODA Listen to

Mozart Symphony No. 40 in G Minor 4th Movement Notes:

Theme and Variations Independent piece or as a movement of a symphony, sonata, or string quartet BASIC IDEA repeated and changed This idea can be borrowed or composed BASIC STRUCTURE: Listen to: Haydn’s Symphony No. 94 in G Major 2nd Movement

Notes from Listening

Minuet and Trio Usually as the 3rd movement of symphonies and quartets Triple meter and moderate A(m)B(t)A(m) - trio quieter usually STRUCTURE: Listen to Mozart’s Eine kleine Nactmusik 3rd Movement

Haydn’s Symphony No. 94 in G Major 2nd Movement Notes:

Rondo Independent or as a movement Lively, regular and conclusive Tuneful main theme (usually simple) that returns in alternation STRUCTURE: Sonata-Rondo STRUCTURE: ABA – Dev - ABA

Classical Symphony Origin from 17th century opera overtures Extended – 20-45 minutes Haydn wrote many of the early symphonies Usually 4 movements with range of contrasts 1. fast dramatic (usually sonata form) 2. slow lyrical (sonata form, ABA, or T+V), diff key 3. dancelike 4. fast heroic (sonata or sonata-rondo)

Classical Concerto 3 movement work for instrumental soloist and orchestra Fast (cadenza) (sonata form with 2 expositions) Slow Fast (cadenza improvisation) (rondo or sonata-rondo) then CODA (short) Interplay of melody lines and cadenzas Mozart and Beethoven wrote many (star in each on piano) 20-45 minutes

Classical Chamber Music Imitate room setting 2-9 musicians – entertain guests No conductor STRING QUARTET – a fine art Usually 2 violin, viola and cello Usually 4 movements Fast Slow Minuet OR sonata (violin/piano), trio (piano, violin, cello), quintet

Sacred Choral Music Oratorios and masses were most elaborate in 18th century MASS – Haydn wrote most exuberant masses Classical sacred music mixes classical MELODY- HARMONY and POLYPHONIC IMITATION Oratorios – musical setting of sacred text Comic Opera Opera Buffa – Comic Opera (ie La Serva Padrona by Pergolesi, Mozart`s Don Giovanni)