Classical EraApprox. 1730 – 1820

Classical Era Characteristics

Unique:• a movement celebrating the Classical world, especially the achievements of Ancient Greece (drama, literature, government, education, music, science, philosophy)• embraced by the government style called “Absolutism” created by France’s King Louis XIV, Britain’s King Charles I, and Russia’s Czar Peter the Great.• use of homophony (the texture of combining one melodic line with accompaniment)

Louis XIV - The Sun King

Peter the Great

Charles I

Classical Era CharacteristicsDifferences:• Development of the sonata as a defining art form• The main instrumental forms of the Classical era:

• quartet, (a group of four musicians playing different sized [and pitched] instruments from the same family.)• symphony, (a longer composition consisting usually of four distinct movements of various speeds – e.g. Fast, Slow, Moderate & Fast) and • concerto, (all based on the dramatic structure of the sonata – contrasting fast, slow and fast movements)

• further development of other Musical forms: Opera (a large scale piece of music written to tell a non-religious story, widening

in national appeal: French, German, Italian, English) Mass (music conforming to the words of the Roman Catholic worship service using larger orchestral and choral forces)• increased, more dramatic contrast in terms of volume and tempo (crescendos and decrescendos)

Classical Era Characteristics

• piano became predominant keyboard instrument (hammers punch the strings rather than pluck them)

Pressing a key on the piano's keyboard causes a felt covered hammer to strike steel strings. The hammers rebound, allowing the strings to continue vibrating at their resonant frequency (note). These vibrations are transmitted through a bridge to a sounding board that can be heard as sound. When the key is released, a damper stops the string's vibration.

The effect is one of greater sound variation than a harpsichord, creating much more variety in volume and expressiveness. This pushed Classical Era composers to demand more from other players as well and on entire ensembles like orchestras.

The Main Reason for the Uniqueness

New Innovations in Classical Era Music

Chamber music• composed for between 3

and 10 musicians intended:a) to be composed for performances in the

salons of the rich and aristocratic b) for the pleasure (entertainment) of the

performers (possibly the aristocrats) themselves

Opera• continued to develop across

Europe in regional styles and local languages (Italian, German, French, English)W.A. Mozart’sDon Giovanni

Die ZauberflőtteW.A.MozartString Quartets

Classical Era Characteristics• “Opera Buffa” (comic opera) developed for more common tastes (not just for the aristocrats)

• Orchestras were developed as larger groups of performers playing together, centred on the family of string instruments (Violins, Violas, ‘Cellos, Basses) - other instruments also became permanent members, i.e.: clarinets, flutes, oboes, and bassoons

•The “Symphony” rose in popularity as a style of music featuring an entire orchestra: • Mozart’s Symphony # 40 or Haydn’s “Surprise” Symphony

Differences:

Classical Era ComposersFranz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) - born in Rohrau, a tiny Austrian village - served as a choirboy in the Cathedral of St. Stephen, Vienna, Austria - his voice changed, Hayden was dismissed, penniless, from St. Stephen's, he gave music lessons to children, struggled to teach himself composition, and took odd jobs (including playing violin in street bands) - in 1761, he entered the service of the Esterhazys, the richest and most powerful of the Hungarian noble families – served them for the next 30 years - Haydn's music became immensely popular all over Europe and was wined and dined at all the most famous courts (He was given an honourary doctorate from Oxford) - returned to Vienna rich and honored. At this time--in his late sixties--he composed six masses and two oratoriosMajor Compositions: 104 Symphonies (The “Surprise” Symphony); 14 masses, including the “Nelson” Mass; The Creation (Oratorio); 80 String Quartettes; 33 concertos; 14 operas

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 – 1791) - born in Salzburg, Austria - father was a noted professional violinist employed by the Archbishop of Salzburg - as a child prodigy, father Leopold took him from city to city to perform for the wealthy, nobility and royalty - composed his first symphonies at the age of 9 - actively participated in concerts, serenades and also composed music for dramas. He also continued composing and creating symphonies. - wrote operas in Italian and German and took commissions from aristocrats and the Emperor of Austria - died penniless and was buried in a pauper’s grave in Vienna Major Compositions: 41 Symphonies (Symphony # 40); 20 - 30 Concertos; 14-15 Masses (The Requiem); 20 Sonatas; and over 20 Operas (Don Giovanni), (Der Zauberflötte); 12 Serenades like (Eine Kleine Nachtmusik)

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827)• Born in Bonn, Germany• Father was an abusive alcoholic an musician in the court at Bonn• Mother was kind and loving• Was made to practice for hours each day under father’s supervision• Became a talented child star and performed publically at 7 yrs “the new

Mozart”• Brought to Vienna by the Austrian Emperor’s family (1787)• Studied composition with Haydn• Toured major capitols of Europe• Late 1790s began to complain of hearing loss but continued to compose

and perform even after becoming completely deaf• 1801 – completed the 3rd Symphony (Eroica) dedicated to Napoléon

Bonaparte• Composition of Symphony #5 (1804 – 1808) started with sketches and

ideas and gradually reached its final form in 1808 & first performed at the same concert as the Symphony #6 (simultaneous projects)

• 1809 B wanted to leave Vienna, but a group of wealthy patrons provided the money for him to stay and live comfortably – the first independent composer. He could write whatever he wanted.

• 1822 – 1824 B completed his 9th Symphony (with choir & soloists)• 1827 caught cold and died ; 10 000 – 30 000 attended his funeralMajor Compositions: 9 symphonies (Symphony #5); 9 concertos; 16 string

quartets; violin, cello & piano sonatas; numerous overtures and incidental compositions; 1 opera