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THE CLASSICAL PERIOD (1750-1820)
CP BACH & JC BACH Pioneers of pre-classical period ( ) shift to simplicity, clarity, and balance in musically style most equate Classical Music title to anything non-pop / rock / jazz because of three greats are the most known & regarded Three greats of this period are MOZART, HAYDN, and BEETHOVEN
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CLASSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Contrast & Mood Baroque has unity of mood but classical…… Great variety and contrast receive emphasis in a single piece Contrast may come in the movement or within a theme it’s self Contrast may come slowly or quickly Classical composer always impart …… logic and unity to the change
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CLASSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Rhythm Baroque rhythms are usually uniform from the beginning to end but classical…. Can change suddenly or swiftly Will have unexpected pauses & syncopations Frequent changes from long to short notes
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CLASSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Texture Most classical is basically HOMOPHONIC This reflects simplistic movement from composers However texture is still as unpredictable as the mood and rhythm and will unexpectedly change
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CLASSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Melody Classical melodies are among the most tuneful and easy to remember invention of THE HOOK Even highly complex themes will have a popular or folk song basis Some barrowed folk melodies Most were original with pop sense in mind
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CLASSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Melody Classical melodies usually are made of 2 phrases The first phrase ends in half cadence The second phrase ends in a full cadence This makes them sound balanced and symmetrical Usually even numbered phrase too This is unlike Baroque melodies that tend to be more elaborate
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CLASSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Dynamics & the Piano Baroque favor terraced dynamics Classical favors gradual dynamics (Descresendo & Cresendo) This desire leads to replacement of the Harpsichord with the Piano which can do this type of dynamic Piano invented in 1700 but takes nearly 75 years for it to “catch on”
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CLASSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The End of Basso Continuo This practice is gradually abandoned 2 reasons 1. more music written for amateurs who had not mastered art of improvising 2. composers want more control and don’t trust the performer as much
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THE CLASSICAL ORCHESTRA
A standard group of four sections evolved unlike Baroque which could vary Sections 1. STRINGS = 1st violins, 2nd violins, violas, cellos, double basses 2. WOODWINDS = 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoon 3. BRASS = 2 French horns, 2 trumpets 4. PERCUSSIONS = 2 timpani
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TROMBONES sometimes used too but not standard
THE CLASSICAL ORCHESTRA TROMBONES sometimes used too but not standard More musicians during this period Composers took advantage in order to contrast tone colors more Each section has a specific role but could have the melody passed throughout each
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*Youtube = Karajan orchestra
THE CLASSICAL ORCHESTRA Section roles Strings (melody and most important) Woodwinds (contrasting colors and solos) Brass (power and harmony filler) Percussion ( for rhythmic bite and emphasis) *Youtube = Karajan orchestra
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The Classical Period and the World(1750-1820)
Violent political & Social upheaval The American & French Revolutions The rise of Democracy The decline of the aristocracy Musicians strongly affected by this Slow emancipation of the composer The decline of works for hire three masters examples-in timeline order
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The Classical Period and the World(1750-1820)
Haydn Wealthy aristocrat hires Contract of employment as skilled servant (not unlike what a gardener would sign) Wore a uniform Composed music to order for court Warned to live cleanly
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The Classical Period and the World(1750-1820)
MOZART Born just 24 years after Haydn Starts as court musician Cant bear being a servant Tries luck in Vienna as independent freelance musician Has some minor freelance success Dies in debt
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Success due to emerging Middle Class market for music
The Classical Period and the World( ) BEETHOVEN A few years after Mozart’s death is able to freelance in Vienna successfully Success due to emerging Middle Class market for music
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The Classical Period and the World(1750-1820)
THE Emerging MIDDLE CLASS Hungry for aristocratic luxuries such as theater and music Court concerts closed to public Middle class would organize public concerts to hear same works Middle Class wanted more….. Music lessons Instruments Printed music
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The Classical Period and the World(1750-1820)
Emerging MIDDLE CLASS Composers wrote pieces aimed at amateur musicians Comic opera to appeal to broader (non aristocratic) audience Popular & folk tunes as themes in major works (symphonies, ect..) Three masters all wrote dance pieces for public balls in Vienna
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The Classical Period and the World(1750-1820)
VIENNA The city had great love of music Demand for new works make it a good choice for the three masters The three masters all born in other city’s Eventually all are drawn to Vienna At the time, 4th largest city in Europe in 1800 with over 250,000 people
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The Classical Period and the World(1750-1820)
VIENNA Haydn & Mozart were contemporary’s and friendly Beethoven was a student of both Aristocratic and royal courts spent winter’s in Vienna Mixed orchestras of nobles, pro musicians,& wealthy middle class
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The Classical Period and the World(1750-1820)
VIENNA Lots of outdoor informal concerts Specific pieces called Serenades written especially for this Truly was the place to be at the time for the Arts
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