Classical Era

Classical Era

1. Composers

   • Franz Joseph Haydn
     • 1732 - 1809
   • Ludwig Van Beethoven
     • 1770 - 1827
   • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
     • 1756 - 1791

2. About Mozart

   • Born in Salzburg
   • Father was also a composer and violinist at the Archiepiscopal Court
   • Started learning in the age of 4, and went on tours with sister.
   • Moved to Vienna in 1871, and spent rest of life there composing.
   • Works
     • 21 piano concertos
     • 5 violin concertos
     • 4 horn concertos
     • Concertos for clarinet and other wind instruments
     • 41 symphonies
     • 27 string quartets
     • 6 string quintets
     • 17 masses
     • Last work, The Requiem Mass was completed by student Franz Sussmayr after Mozart's death.
   • Died on 1791

3. Classical Orchestra

   • The harpsichord grew redundant
     • Funtcion of providing chordal support taken over by wind section
   • At the start, the orchestra was still small - strings, horns, flutes, oboes.
   • Began to grow as bassoon (bass instrument) and clarinet joined to woodwind family
   • Strings
     • Violins
     • Violas
     • Cellos
     • Double Basses
   • Woodwind
     • Flutes (2)
     • Oboes (2)
     • Clarinets (2)
     • Bassoons (2)
   • Brass
     • Trumpets (2)
     • French Horns (2)
   • Percussion
     • Timpani

4. Symphony

   • Means 'sounding together' in Italian
     • Four families of classical orchestra sounding together
   • Early Classical symphonies included 3 movements
     • Early example is Italian three-section sinfonias or strings and continuo
       • Arranged in fast-slow-fast structure
   • As period progressed, minuet and trio (Baroque dance form) was placed between the 2nd and 3rd movement. Making 4 movements
   • First Movement
     • Fast tempo, sonata form
   • Second Movement
     • Slow tempo. Various forms (e.g. ternary, theme and variations)
   • Third Movement
     • Minuet and trio (or scherzo and trio)
   • Fourth Movement
     • Fast. Rondo, sonata form, or a combination of both. Or set of variations

5. Sonata Form

   • Comes from Latin word 'Sonare' meaning 'to sound'
     • Refers tp instrumental, rather than vocal music
   • Used to structure a single movement, doesn't refer to a complete work, be it symphony, string quartet, concerto or solo sonata.
   • The 2 fundamental ideas expressed in sonata form is : repetition and contrast
   • It's developed from binary form, except sonata form includes repeat (recapitulation) of the first section. The three sections are:
     • Exposition
       • Main themes are presented here. First theme is called first subject and is in thie tonic key. Most lively and rhythmic. Then short bridge passage where music modulates to second subject. Contrast is mood and key of music. New key is related to tonic of music, such as relative major(minor) or dominant key. Often repeated, to familiarize with subjects.
     • Developement
       • Composer develops ideas from exposition. Devleopement is based on melody or fragement(motif) from it. Several motifs are combined to create variants of original subjects. Features various kes, avoids tonic and dominant. Adeventorous as drama unfolds, and restless because of different keys.
     • Recapulation
       • Final section balanced with exposition. Recaps first subject in tonic key. Bridge passage follows without modulation. Second subject is also played in tonic key, as music is drawing to close. Usually ends with a round off section called the coda.
   • This provides symmetry to the form. The exposition balanced by recapulation. Like a 5-Act Shakespereane Play
     • Act 1 - Exposition
       • Dramatis personae or contrasting 'characters' introduced
     • Act 2-4 - Developement
       • Unfolding of drama. Characters (musical themes) from eposition act ou story. Conflict and unrest will be witnessed
     • Act 5
       • Original characters return for resolution. Can end as a tragedy or 'happily ever after'

6. Features of Classical Style

   • Well proportioned and graceful melodies. 8 bar phrasing (4 bars questions and 4 bars answer). Periodic or reqular phrasing.
   • Melody dominated texture (melody dominated hompophony. Polyphony was also used.
   • Structure had a sense or symmetry and balance
   • Structure defined by clear cut key scheme, with regular cadences.
   • Functional harmony. Used for structure. ( I, IV, V, II and VI)
   • Contrast in keys and more varied dynamics
   • Harpsichord became redundant. Orchestra was established as standard instrumental ensemble.
   • New genres - sonata for a solo instrument, concerto, symphony, and string quartet.