Classical Era 1750-1820

Viennese Classical Style Age of Enlightenment Age of Reason

Definition of Classic Two Definitions General: pertaining to the highest order of excellence in literature and the arts Specific: pertaining to the culture of ancient Greek and Romans A “classic” exhibits values that are timeless and universal Classical versus pop, rock, folk, jazz, ethnic, world music

The Times Fascination with ancient Greek and Roman civilizations Philosophical and political ferment led to revolutions French (1789-1799) and American (1775-1783) Rise of the middle class Spread of literacy Life for the middle class still depended on lower class servants Industrial Revolution Scientific Advancements Intellectual Revolution Humanistic Writings/Philosophical Debate

Geographical Center Vienna, Austria

Visual Arts Rococco 18th century style characterized by less symmetry and increasingly more ornamented and fluid style

Neoclassical Reaction against Rococco style Looked back to the linear qualities of ancient Greek and Roman architecture

Artist Life 18th-century artist generally functioned under the system of aristocratic patronage Socially, little better than a servant Patronage system gave the artist economic security and a social framework Artistic Patrons: middle class patrons, court, church

Musical Genres Vocal Instrumental

Vocal Genres Mass Motets Opera Oratorio Art Song

Instrumental Genres Symphony – four movements: fast, slow, minuet and trio, fast Solo Concerto – three movements: fast, slow, fast String Quartet – chamber music genre, four instruments: two violins, viola, cello Sonata – typically for piano, teaching piece

Classical Orchestra Blending of the four instrumental families: strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion 30 to 40 players Established gradual dynamics (Mannheim crescendo) Piano was the favored accompaniment/solo instrument. Alberti Bass was the favored accompaniment texture.

Musical Elements Melody Harmony Rhythm Texture Dynamics Form

Melody: vocal in conception, symmetrical (question/answer), typically four to eight measures in length Harmony: tonal Rhythm: simple and metered Texture: homophonic (with some polyphony) Dynamics: gradual

Form Sonata Allegro: an outgrowth of binary form Exposition: use of two contrasting themes, a bridge theme and an ending theme, section is repeated Development: develops themes and rhythms Recapitulation ||:Exposition:|| Development || Recapitulation || Theme 1 Theme 1 Theme 2 Theme 2 A B A

Theme and Variation Theme is varied by the elements of music: melody, harmony, rhythm, texture, timbre, dynamics) Minuet and Trio Utilizes binary form, ¾ time signature

Rondo Utilizes a section of music that alternates with new music ABACA

Composers Franz Joseph Haydn Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Ludwig von Beethoven

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Symphony No. 40, First Movement

Franz Joseph Haydn Symphony No. 2 “Surprise” Second Movement

Ludwig von Beethoven String Quartet in c minor Fourth Movement Rondo form

Romantic Era (1820 – 1900)

The Times Age of … Historical Influences Literature Visual Arts Other Writers Musical Culture

Age of ….. Age of Extremes Age of Unending Lyricism

Historical Influences Looking back to the Medieval Era “Roman” – a French medieval novel about romance, chivalry French Revolution: liberty, quality, brotherhood

Literature Friedrich von Schiller (1759-1805) Philosophical papers on ethics and aesthetics Plays Ode to Joy

Victor Hugo (1802-1885) French poet and playwright Les Miserables

Charles Dickens (1812-1870) British novelist Concern for social reform Oliver Twist A Christmas Carol A Tale of Two Cities

Visual Arts Eugene Delacroix (1798-1863) Leader of the French Romantic School Liberty Leading the People

Francisco Goya (1746-1828) Spanish painter Considered the last of the Old Masters and the first of the moderns Satan Devouring His Son

Other Writers Scientific writings Philosophical writings Ethical writings Aesthetic writings

Charles Darwin (1809-1882) British naturalist Natural selection On the Origin of Species

Karl Marx (1818-1883) German philosopher, social scientist political theorist

Musical Culture Stressed emotion, imagination, individuality Composers moved from patronage to free agent, composers wrote for their own social class Formation of the orchestra and instruments (influence of Industrial Revolution) Emergence of the conductor Public concerts/subscription concerts Conservatories founded Public captured by virtuosity; which centered on a virtuosic performer Music was seen as a means of expression

Music in the Romantic Era Characteristics Musical Elements Composers

Characteristics Individuality Expressive Aims and Subjects Nationalism and Exoticism Program Music/Absolute Music

Musical Elements Melody Harmony Unending melody Longer, more irregular in length Themes more complex and chromatic Theme transformation Harmony Basically tonal Chromaticism stretches the harmonic sound resulting in greater tension

Rhythm Dynamics Metric Use of effects, especially rubato Articulation is heavy Uses emotional designations: allegro agitato, con amore Dynamics Wide range Use of extreme dynamics Gradual

Instrumentation/Timbre Texture Essentially homophonic Sonority is thick, heavy and lush Instrumentation/Timbre 70 or more in the orchestra Full exploration of the instrument and its range Instruments were used for both their individual timbre and for their collective color potential Instruments used to convey mood and atmosphere (emotional expression) Woodwinds improved by better fingering system “Boehm” Valves introduced into Brass – first time these instruments could play a full chromatic compass Saxophone, baritone and tuba invented by Adolf Sax Piano became the standard keyboard instrument

Form Stretching of the Classical era forms: sonata-allegro, rondo, theme and variation, minuet and trio Genres Absolute (abstract music): symphony, concerto, sonata, string quartet Program: program symphony, tone poem (Strauss), symphonic poem (Liszt), opera, music drama (Wagner), art song Genres are both large works and small, miniature works called character pieces

Composers Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) German composer and pianist Transitional figure between the Classical and Romantic eras Symphony No. 5 first movement

Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) Polish composer Virtuosic pianist Composed only for piano Etude

Hector Berlioz (1803-1869) French symphonist Known for his orchestration techniques Symphonie Fantastique Movement 4

Bedřich Smetana (1824-1884) Czech nationalist composer Má Vlast The Moldau

Other Composers Johannes Brahms Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Franz Liszt Robert Schumann Felix Mendelssohn César Franck Giuseppe Verdi Giacomo Puccini Franz Schubert Richard Wagner