Chapter 12: Classical Style

The Classical Era (1750-1820)• Proportion, balance, and formal correctness

• The Enlightenment

The Democratization of Classical Music:Public Concerts

• Performances gradually moved from the palace to the concert hall

• Supported by the middle class

The Rise of Popular Opera• Comic Opera: Expressed middle class values; satire of

pompous and incompetent aristocrats– Also called Opera buffa

The Advent of the Piano

• Invented in Italy around 1700

• Replaced the harpsichord

• Could play more than one dynamic level– Originally named the pianoforte

Elements of Classical Style• Melody: Tuneful, catchy, singable melodies– Simple and short with balanced phrases

• Antecedent and Consequent phrases

• Example from Mozart’s Piano Concerto in C major (1785)

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