1. Chapter 12: Classical Style

2. The Classical Era (1750-1820) Musical proportion, balance, and formal correctness Emulation of the art of ancient Greece and Rome Classical architecture: geometric shapes, balance, symmetrical design, lack of clutter

3. The Enlightenment Also called the Age of Reason Pursuit of truth and discovery of natural laws Encyclopedia Britannica and the French Encyclopédie Scientific advances Growth of the middle class Age of Revolution – American Revolution – Declaration of Independence. 1776 – French Revolution – storming of the Bastille, 1789

4. The Democratization of Classical Music: Public Concerts Performances gradually moved from the palace to the concert hall Supported by the middle class Concert spirituel: Successful Parisian concert series – First non-court orchestra played on a regular schedule of performances – Two-tiered price scheme for a subscription series made performance accessible to several strata of society – Commercialization of a shared musical experience London – Vauxhall Gardens Vienna – Burgtheater (City Theatre) opened in 1759

5. The Rise of Popular Opera Comic Opera: Expressed middle class values; satire of pompous and incompetent aristocrats – Also called Opera buffa – Use of everyday characters and situations – Use of da capo arias (ABA) – Sight gags, bawdy humor, and social satire – Reflected social change as well as inspired it

6. The Advent of the Piano Invented in Italy around 1700 Replaced the harpsichord Could play more than one dynamic level – Originally named the pianoforte Amateur music making in the home – Many amateur pianists were women – Simpler, more homophonic style of keyboard music

7. Elements of Classical Style Melody: Tuneful, catchy, singable melodies – Simple and short with balanced phrases Antecedent and Consequent phrases Example from Mozart’s Piano Concert in C major (1785)

8. Elements of Classical Style Harmony: Harmonic rhythm much more fluid and flexible than in the Baroque music – Alberti Bass: Spreads out pitches of a chord to provide a steady steam of sound Rhythm: More flexible rhythm – Greater variety within a single movement

9. Elements of Classical Style Texture: Mostly homophonic – Light and transparent – Thin bass and middle range – Counterpoint used sparingly and mainly for contrast

10. The Dynamic Mood of Classical Music Use of rapid changes in mood, texture, color, and dynamics adds a new sense of urgency and drama Use of crescendo and diminuendo An Example of Classical Style: Mozart, Le nozzi di Figaro (1786)