Music: An Appreciation 9th-10th Edition by Roger Kamien Part V The Classical Period 1750-1820

The Classical Period Time Line Seven Years’ War-1756-1763 Louis XVI in France-1774-1792 Am. Declaration of Independence-1776 French Revolution-1789 Napoleon: first French consul-1799 Napoleonic Wars-1803-1815 Goethe: Faust-1808 Austin: Pride and Prejudice-1813

The Classical Era Scientific advances changed world view Visual Art Faith in the power of reason Undermining of traditional authority Social organization Religious establishment Age of Enlightenment Rise of the middle class worker Visual Art Moved away from ornate Baroque style Favored light colors, curved lines, & graceful ornaments

Ch. 1 - The Pre-classical Style Transitional period: ~1730-1770 Style Galant (Rococo ) C.P.E. and J.C. Bach—early pioneers Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757): wrote 555 keyboard sonatas Concentrated on simplicity and clarity

Ch. 1 - The Classical Style Term classical Greek and Roman antiquity Supreme accomplishment of lasting appeal Anything that is not rock, jazz, folk, or popular Music and visual arts stress balance and clarity of structure Three main composers Joseph Haydn Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Ludwig van Beethoven

Characteristics of the Classical Style Contrast of Mood Contrasts both between & within movements Flexibility of rhythm Multiple rhythmic patterns for variety/ unexpected pauses Texture Mostly homophonic, but with frequent shifts Melody Tuneful, easy to remember, balanced, symmetrical Composers borrowed popular/folk tunes + original themes Dynamics Emotions expressed in shades of dynamics Use of gradual dynamic changes (crescendo/diminuendo) Related to development of the piano – soft/loud End of the Basso Continuo More control of harmony

The Classical Orchestra Increase in size of orchestra – standard group of four sections Strings: 1st & 2nd violins, violas, cellos, double bass Woodwinds: @2 – flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons Brass: @2 – French horns, trumpets (no trombones/tubas) Percussion – 2 timpani Composers exploited individual tone colors Each section had a special role Strings most important w/ violins taking the melody Woodwinds added contrasting tone Horns & trumpets brought power to loud passages Timpani used for rhythmic bite and emphasis Harpsichord replaced by piano around 1775

Classical Forms Instrumental works consist of several movements that contrast in tempo & character 1st—Fast 2nd—Slow 3rd—Dance-related 4th—Fast The movements might use different forms A B A Theme and Variations Sonata Minuet and Trio Rondo Movements often contrast themes vividly By movement’s end, musical tensions are resolved

Main classical forms Sonata form Theme and Variations Minuet and Trio Rondo Symphony Concerto String quartet (chamber music)

Ch. 2 - Composer, Patron, and Public in the Classical Period Changing society affected musicians Haydn: worked 30 years for aristocratic family Mozart: began at court, broke away, died broke Beethoven: successful as independent musician Prospering middle class wanted aristocratic pleasures (theatre, literature, music) Public, ticket buying concerts became common Demand for printed music, instruments & music lessons Composers wrote playable music that would sell Serious compositions flavored by folk and popular music

Vienna Became the music, cultural and commercial center of Europe 4th larger city at that time Musicians came to study and seek recognition Aristocrats wintering there would bring their orchestras /many nobles were excellent musicians Musicians, including Mozart and Beethoven, frequently played gigs in wealthy homes Many musicians also worked in serenading street bands Serenades/divertimentos (outdoor evening pieces)

Ch. 3 - Sonata Form Also called sonata-allegro form Refers to form of a single movement Ternary form (A B A)—3 main sections Exposition Initial statement of 1st and 2nd themes 1st theme in tonic (I) , 2nd theme in dominant (V) Entire section usually repeated Development Tension building section Themes broken into fragments—motives Recapitulation Resolution of tension Re-statement of 1st and 2nd themes Often concludes with a “tag” or tail—Coda

Listening Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, K. 550 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Fourth movement Note: Sonata Form Exposition Development Recapitulation Coda (“tail”-optional)

Ch. 4 - Theme and Variations Single part form—no large contrasting “B” section (A A’ A” A”’…) Basic idea presented and then repeated over and over Each repeat alters (varies) the musical idea Each variation is about the same length as the original idea Variations may alter melody, harmony, rhythm, dynamics, timbre, or all of these

Types of variations Melodic Harmonic Rhythmic Dynamics related Timbral Accompaniment related Combinations of the above are possible

Listening Symphony No. 94 in G Major (Surprise; 1791) by Franz Joseph Haydn Second Movement Note: Theme and Variations form Countermelody

Ch. 5 - Minuet and Trio Ternary form based upon stately court dance (~1650) of the Baroque Often as a 3rd movement of a larger composition Triple meter/ moderate tempo Each ternary part is itself ternary: Minuet Trio Minuet A B A ||: a :||: b a’ :| |: c :||: d c’ :| | a b a’ || Return of the Minuet is usually marked on the music as da capo

Listening by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Eine kleine Nachtmusik (A Little Night Music; 1787), K. 525 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Third Movement

Ch. 6 - Rondo Features a tuneful main theme which returns over and over Lively, pleasing and simple to remember Main theme alternates with other contrasting sections Common rondo patterns: A B A C A (small rondo) A B A C A B A (large rondo) Note the similarity to modern pop-music form

Listening String Quartet in C Minor, Op. 18, No. 4 (1798-1800) by Ludwig van Beethoven Fourth movement Note: Rondo form A B A C A B A

Ch. 7 - The Classical Symphony Extended, ambitious composition lasting for 20-45 minutes Most important contribution in classical era Multi-movement instrumental work 1st Fast—frequently Sonata form 2nd Slow—often Sonata form, sometimes Theme and Variations 3rd Dance—usually Minuet and Trio or scherzo (fast, dance-like) form 4th Fast—frequently Sonata or Rondo form Each movement is a self- contained composition Themes in one movement rarely appear in another movement

Ch. 8 - The Classical Concerto Work for instrumental soloist and orchestra (equally important) lasting 20-45 minutes Usually three movements: Fast—Slow—Fast (no Minuet movement) Combines soloist’s virtuosity with power and timbres of orchestra Break near end of 1st and sometimes last movement called cadenza Unaccompanied showpiece for the soloist Originally improvised, Classical composers seldom notated cadenzas Double exposition if a movement is in a sonata form Usually orchestra enters first, then the soloist

Ch. 9 - Classical Chamber Music Designed for the intimate setting of a room, rather than concert hall (lighter, more subtle) Small group of 4-9 instrumentalists No conductor Each player shares thematic material Most important setting is string quartet 2 violins, viola, cello Four movements Usually Fast—Slow—Dance—Fast Other popular settings: Sonata for violin and piano Piano trio (violin, cello, and piano) String quintet (2 violins, 2 violas, cello)

Ch. 10 - Joseph Haydn 1732-1809—early and mid-Classical Period Austrian composer (long life) Talent recognized early Age 8—sent to Vienna to be a choir boy Dismissed from school—voice changed Worked in Vienna and continued studies Esterhazy’s 30 years service Entered in year 1761 Employment status as skilled servant (dependent on the will of prince (common in 18th Century) Became famous in Europe at this time Prolific composer Considered the father of the classical period in music

Ch. 10 - Joseph Haydn (contin.) 1780- He met with Mozart and became close friends After death of prince, he travels to London where he has a brilliant career. 1795- He returns in Vienna rich and honored A pioneer in the development of the symphony and string quartet Master at developing themes Lively themes, vivid contrasts Innovator and experimenter

J. Haydn’s works 104 symphonies 68 string quartets 2 oratorios 12 London symphonies (1791-1795) “Surprise”, shows his humorous character “Farewell”, funny story 68 string quartets “Emperor” string quartet is the national anthem of Germany 2 oratorios “Creation”, “The Seasons” Piano sonatas, piano trios, concertos, masses, operas, divertimentos Trumpet concerto in E-flat Major Many more…..

Listening First movement Trumpet Concerto in E Flat Major (1796) by Haydn First movement Emperor string quartet in C major Op 76, No 3 (~1796-1797) by Haydn

Ch. 11 - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 1756-1791 (mid-Classical composer) Austrian (Saltsburg) – most versatile composer Son of a professional musician Leopold Mozart, violinist, worked for Archbishop of Salzburg with whom he had a confrontation about Mozart Child prodigy Age of 8 he wrote a symphony Age of 10 he wrote an oratorio Age of 12 he wrote an opera Traveled to England, Italy and France Didn’t want to be a servant musician (Like Haydn) Became his professional life as an international celebrity He could memorize a long piece eaisly Story about Sistine Chapel

Ch. 11 – W. A. Mozart (contin.) At 25—freelance musician in Vienna His music is sensuous, easy, beautiful, balanced perfect proportioned His pieces were catalogued during 19th century. By Ludwig von Kochel. Customary to refer to a Mozart work by the “K” number, indicating its chronological place in his ouput At 25—freelance musician in Vienna Partly due to winning the Emperor’s favor Initially successful, then novelty wore off.

W.A. Mozart’s works Operas (Italian and German text) The Marriage of Figaro Cosi Fan Tutte The Magic Flute Don Giovanni 20 piano concertos Piano concerto in A major, K 488 Symphonies String quartets Requiem in D minor (Mass for the dead) His last piece-completed by his student More than 600 compositions

Listening Don Giovanni (1787) by Mozart Act I: Excerpt from Opening Scene Don Giovanni has slipped into the room of Donna Anna. Leporello worriedly waits outside. Donna Anna is not happy to see Don Giovanni. Her father, the Commandant, catches him. They fight a duel and the Commandant is killed.

Listening Don Giovanni (1787) by Mozart Leporello’s catalog aria (Madamina) Donna Elvira, an earlier conquest of Don Giovanni’s, tries to see him again. Leporello intercepts her and attempts to discourage her by reading a list, or catalog, of the women Don Giovanni has been with.

Listening First Movement—Molto allegro Symphony No. 40 in G Minor (1788) by Mozart (K. 550) First Movement—Molto allegro Movement I – Molto allegro Movement II – Andante Movement III – Menuetto (Allegretto) Movement IV – Allegro assai

Listening Mozart, Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major (1786) First Movement: Allegro Sonata form Lyrical themes Cadenza

Listening Mozart, Requiem in D Minor, K. 626 (1791) -Dies irae (Day of wrath) Distinctive rhythmic pattern of the opening phrase (long-long-short-short) Homophonic texture -Lacrimosa (Tear)

Ch. 12 - Ludwig van Beethoven 1770-1827—late Classical, Germany (Bohn) Son of a professional musician Father, Johann, was a singer & abusive alcoholic Forced the boy to study music (wanted $) Financially successful as freelance musician Believed in period’s societal changes Traveled to Vienna to improvise for Mozart 1792 – studied with Haydn ~1800 starts losing his hearing 1800 – Met with German poet Goethe Never in the service of the Viennese aristocracy

Ch. 12 – L.V.Beethoven (contin.) His production is divided into three periods: Early : Influenced by Mozart and Haydn Middle: Longer pieces –heroic in tone Late: Tend to be romantic Wrote final pieces while totally deaf Died in Vienna 20,000 people attended funeral Movie “Immortal Beloved”

Characteristics of Beethoven’s music Sketchbooks New power and intensity, sudden dynamic changes Dissonances, range of pitch, contrast of mood, accents Forms are expanded 3rd Symphony lasts about 50 minutes(!) Stormy, powerful, gentle, humorous, noble, lyrical Unifies contrasting movements (sometimes no pause in between movements) Development section is expanded Themes of one mvt. can appear in another mvt. In the same piece. More movements than usual

Characteristics of Beethoven’s music (contin.) Minuet and Trio is substituted by Scherzo More instruments used Trombone, Piccolo flute, Contrabassoon Different use of timpani and French horns Symphonies 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th are powerful Symphonies 2nd, 4th, and 6th are calmer and lyrical Forms altered Added a Chorus at the 4th mvt. of the 9th Symphony (Ode to Joy)

L. V. Beethoven’s works 9 Symphonies 5 Piano Concertos 1 Opera Fidelio Piano Sonatas Appassionata, Pathetique, Moonlight… 16 String Quartets His last quartets have 5, 6 or even 7 movements 1 Mass Missa Solemnis Many More ….

Listening Piano Sonata in C Minor, Op. 13 (Pathetique, 1798) by Beethoven First movement (Grave-solemn, slow intro.) Note: Extreme dynamic contrasts & accents Unexpected pauses More use of dissonance than previous composers

Listening Mvt. 1—Allegro con brio Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67 by Beethoven (1808) Mvt. 1—Allegro con brio Mvt. 2—Andante con moto