Classical (1750-1825)

Classical (1750-1825)

1. Historical Events

   • 1700's were ruled by the themes of reason, nature, and progress.
     • 1783 Mozart "Piano Sonata no. 12 in F Major" follows rigid classical format for a sonata. Has simple harmonies. Textbook classical sonata.
   • 1752 Querelle de bouffons. (Quarrel of the comic actors. A pamphlet war by Italian comic opera troupe that criticized state-subsidized French Opera.
     • 1752 Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) premiered his Opera "Le devin du village"
   • 1789-1799 French Revolution
     • 1792 Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle (1760-1836) writes "Le Marseillaise" is becomes a French revolution song and eventually France's national anthem.
   • 1775-1783 American Revolution
     • 1770 William Billings (1746-1800) composed a patriotic song called "Chester" that became an unofficial anthem for the war effort.
   • 1727 Handel becomes a naturalized British Citizen
     • 1749 George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) "Music for the "Royal Fireworks" written for the king to enjoy on the River Thames as he watched fireworks.

2. Musical Events

   • Late 1700's the symphony is considered the summit of instrumental music.
     • 1740 Giovanni Battista's (1700-1775) "Symphony in F Major no. 32" recollects early classical era symphony as it evolved to its eventual zenith.
   • 1792 Beethoven studied with Haydn
     • 1795 Ludwig van Beethoven (1770- 1827) Beethoven writes his "Piano sonata no. 1 Op 2 in f minor" He maintains textbook sonata form. One can tell that he is a student, freshly on his own.
   • 1753 Carl Bach publishes his "Essay on the True Art of Playing Keyboard Instruments"
     • 1742 Carl Phillip Emanuel Bach (1714-1788) publishes "Württemberg sonatas" which established the three movement pattern for sonatas to come.
   • 1781 Mozart Freelances
     • 1782 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) "Singspiel Die Entführung aus dem Serail" is premiered and is Mozart's first real taste of being a freelance composer.
   • 1700 The Piano is invented and it is easier for amateurs to get access.
     • 1738 Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757) publishes 30 of his sonatas for harpsichord. Although obscure during his lifetime, Scarlatti was one of the most prolific keyboard composers of his time.