1. The Classical Era ( )
Year 10 IGCSE
October 2009

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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Baroque Orchestra

7. Classical Orchestra

8. Modern Orchestra

9. 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)

10. 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

11. 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

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

13. 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

14. Notes from Listening

15. 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

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

17. 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

18. Classical Symphony Origin from 17th century opera overtures
Extended – 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)

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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)