1. An introduction to music history
To know the different periods in the progression of western classical music and to understand how musical characteristics developed through this time.

2. Initial questions When did music begin?
Why do we talk about ‘western’ and ’non western’ musics?
Is there a clear definition between popular music and classical music?

3. Timeline – Western Art Music
Dates
Musical Period
Historical Events
The Medieval Period
The Renaissance Period
The Tudor period – Henry VIII etc
The Baroque Period
Louis XIV in France, several Europpean conflicts including the Franco-Dutch wars
The Classical Period
The Georgian Era
The Romantic Period
The Victorian Era
Now
The Twentieth Century
The Edwardian Era Post WW1 / Pre WW2 / Post WW2

4. Last weeks homework
Which Baroque pieces did you listen to?

5. To understand the contextual characteristics of classical music.
The classical period
To understand the contextual characteristics of classical music.

6. Key elements of the music
Classical music has a mainly homophonic texture.
It has very neat, elegant melodies.
It uses well defined forms such as sonata and symphony.
Classical music emphasizes balance and control.
During this period the orchestra developed and grew in popularity.
The piano as we know it was invented.
The technique of alberti bass was introduced.
Woodwind was often doubled (shown by the term a2)

7. Classical Structures Ternary Form: A B A Binary Form: A A B B
Rondo Form: A B A C A
Theme and Variations: A A1 A2 A3 A4
Sonata Form: A1 B1 C A2 B2

8. Ternary Form
A B A
Ternary form is a type of structure that is made up of two repeated sections.

9. Binary Form
A A B B
Binary form is one section that repeats twice which is then followed by a second section that also repeats twice.

10. Rondo Form
A B A C A
Rondo form is based upon a repeated A section, which is followed by a new section each time.

11. Theme and Variations A A1 A2 A3 A4
Theme and variations is one section that is repeated several times, but with small changes on each repeat.

12. Sonata Form

13. Sonata form
Sonata form is the most complicated structure within Classical music. It is based around three sections called:
Exposition
Development
Recapitulation

14. The exposition
The exposition is the section of a piece where the themes are exposed to the listener. The exposition is usually split into two sections presenting two contrasting themes and is linked by a bridge.
Theme 1 (Tonic Key)
Bridge
Theme 2 (Dominant Key)

15. The development
The second section is called the development. This is where the two themes of the exposition are developed and varied to keep the listener interested and engaged. This often involves a change of key.
Development (Relative Major / Minor Key)

16. The Recapitulation
This is the final section where the themes from the exposition are repeated with variations. This section usually omits the bridge and involves both sections staying in the same key. This is often followed by a short coda / codetta.
Theme 1 (Tonic Key)
Bridge (usually omitted)
Theme 2 (Tonic Key)
Coda

17. Some composers Joseph Haydn Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Ludwig Van Beethoven
AKA The First Viennesse School

18. Joseph Haydn
Born in Rohrau Austria, moved to Vienna after spending several years in London.
He composed 108 symphonies.

19. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Born in Salzburg, Austria, moved to Vienna.
He was a child prodigy.
He composed many symphonies but failed to achieve financial security.
Composed more than 600 works.
Was a friend and colleague of Haydn.

20. Ludwig Van Beethoven
Born and lived in Bonn, Germany, but spent many years in Vienna.
Throughout his life, he was slowly turning deaf.
Composed 9 symphonies.
Was a student of Haydn and rumored to have studied under Mozart.
It is still argued today whether Beethoven is a Classical or Romantic composer.

21. Some listening Haydn - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXctarOxRz8
Mozart -
Beethoven -

22. Comprehension Task
Read through the text in preparation to answer some questions in your books.
When answering the questions, write your answers as full sentences.

23. questions 1. What are the dates of the Classical period?
2. What period of music comes after the Classical period?
3. Name the three main composers of the Classical period.
4. Was the main aim of the Classical period to write in a simple or complicated way?
5. Which instruments were invented during this period?
6. What is a solo concerto and what can the soloist do in a solo concerto?
7. How many pieces of music did Mozart compose?
8. How many symphonies did Beethoven compose?

24. Programme music
Programme music is music that is intended to evoke images or convey the impression of events. This type of music is descriptive, and is often intended to tell a story. This was big in the Romantic period, but was unintentionally introduced in the Classical period.

25. Some examples https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrIYT-MrVaI
These are all examples from the Romantic period as it was much more common. However, it was used during the Classical period.

26. Music analysis task
Go through the score of this piece and highlight all of the musical elements.
Make any annotations that you think will help with understanding.

27. Questions 1. For what type of ensemble is this piece composed for?
2. What key is this piece in?
3. Describe the tempo of this piece.
4. What does the term a2 mean in the flute part of bar 21?
5. Describe how the dynamics are used in this piece.
6. This is an example of programme music from the Classical period. Describe what this music makes you think about. What images does it evoke?
7. Suggest a possible composer and time period for this piece.

28. Homework
Listen to two pieces of Classical music and be prepared to discuss next week.
Complete the Classical period revision sheet.