Chapter 16: Classical Genres: Instrumental Music

The Symphony and the Symphony Orchestra Symphony: A multimovement composition for orchestra lasting about 25 minutes in the Classical Era (nearly an hour in the Romantic Era) – Origins in the sinfonia – Baroque opera overture in three sections (fast – slow – fast) – Sections expanded into movements – By mid 1700’s, a fourth movement was added (Minuet) – Fast – Slow – Minuet – Fast – Increased in popularity as public concerts became more common – Created the terms symphony hall and symphony orchestra

The Classical Symphony Orchestra Increased in size as the symphony orchestra moved from private court to public auditorium More wind instruments were added to increase variety and color Classical Orchestra Strings: 1 st violins, 2 nd violins, cellos, double basses (about 27 players total Woodwinds: 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons Brasses: 2 French horns, 2 trumpets (for festive pieces) Percussion: 2 timpani (for festive pieces)

Mozart: Symphony No. 40 in G Minor (1788), K. 550 First Movement (Molto Allegro) p. 189 Exposition : Development: Recapitulation: – Transition theme is extended – Brief coda

Mozart: Symphony No. 40 Second Movement: Andante – Slow, lyrical – Contrast between woodwind and the string timbre Third Movement: Minuetto: Allegretto – Intense, somber mood Fourth Movement: Allegro Assai – Sonata-allegro form – Begins with ascending rocket theme – Lack of transition into the recapitulation adds a feeling of urgency and acceleration

The String Quartet String Quartet: genre of chamber music – Created by Joseph Haydn – Goethe compared it to a conversation among four intelligent people Two violins, viola, and cello One player per part Follows four movement form: fast – slow – minuet – fast Performed by professionals and amateurs Haydn and Mozart played together in a string quartet

Haydn: Opus 76, No. 3, The “Emperor” Quartet (1797) Second movement, Poco adagio cantabile p.192 Known as the “Emperor” because of its famous theme – Melody composed in response to military and political events – Honored Emperor Franz II – Tune served as national anthems for Austria and Germany – Used as a Protestant hymn – The Emperor’s Hymn was Haydn’s favorite composition Theme and Variations form

The Sonata Genre of chamber music for solo piano or solo instrument accompanied by piano More sonatas published in the 18 th -century than any other genre Three movement: fast – slow – fast Performed by professionals and amateurs – Often used for piano students

The Concerto Large scale, multimovement work for instrumental soloist and orchestra intended for public audience Virtuoso performers lured audiences to the concert hall Three movements (no minuet) Mozart: Wrote 23 piano concertos – Considered the father of the modern piano concerto – Often for his own performance

Mozart: Piano Concerto in A major (1786), First movement Allegro p.196 Piano and orchestra engage in a spirited give-and-take of the thematic material Written for his student Barbara Ployer Sonata-allegro form Double exposition: The orchestra first introduces the first, second, and closing themes; Soloist then enters and plays the thematic material – Mozart introduces a new lyrical melody in the strings when we expect the second exposition to end Cadenza

Mozart: Piano Concerto in A major Second Movement (Andante): – Exquisitely crafted lines and coloristic harmonies – Daring harmonic changes – At once sublimely beautiful and distantly remote Third Movement (Presto) – Boisterous rondo – Banter back and forth between soloist and orchestra