Classical Time Period

1750-1825

Return to Greek ideas

General Characteristics

• Expanded middle class

• Conflict between classes

• Age of the enlightenment-used reason to

reform society

• Patronage system-support for artists and

musicians

• Improved human conditions (health)

Characteristics of Classical Artwork• Beauty/elegant

• Seriousness of individual

Differences?

Baroque Art

Classical Art

Painting by: Charles Joshua Chaplin (1825-1891)

Differences with Baroque and Classical

MusicBaroque Classical

Melody Disjunct (leap) Disjunct and conjunct

Harmony Major and minor tonality Modulation to closely related

keys

Rhythm Free rhythm, driving rhythms Mixture, not always driving

Form Binary, Ternary, Ritornello,

Fugue

Sonata Allegro, Opera

Texture Homophonic Homophonic

Instrumental forms used in the

Classical Era

• Sonata Allegro- 1st movement in a multi-movement

piece

– Exposition

– Development

– Recapulation

• Concerto-Solo with accompaniment

• Theme and Variations-Melody, then melody

altered.

Development of symphonic form

• Started as French and Italian overtures in

Baroque

• New instruments were invented=larger

orchestras and symphonies got longer

Development of the concerto

• Baroque= 3-4 soloists with bass and chordal

accompaniment

• Classical= grew to soloist with orchestral

accompaniment or large group

Requiem

• Mass for the dead

• Same thing as a funeral

• Composers wrote their own Requiem when

they started to get ill.

• Mozart never finished his, a student finished

it.

Absolute Musicality

• Music for the sake of music.

• The music doesn’t relate to anything of the

outside world.

Libretto

• Means Little book or story line

• The score of an opera

Patronage system

• Kings would “own musicians” and pay them

for their music

• Musician had to play what the king wanted

• Good=you made $

• Bad=no creativity

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

• Lived: January 27, 1756- December 5, 1791

• Born in Salzburg, Austria

• Composed over 600 works

• Mastered the piano and violin as a child

• Started writing music at 5 years old

• Had a common funeral

Ludwig Van Beethoven

• Baptized December 17, 1770- died March 26,

1827.

• German composer and pianist

• Lost hearing in mid 1790’s

• Wrote about 200 works

• Had many health problems

• Frequently moved

Franz Joseph Haydn• Lived: March 31, 1732- May 31, 1809

• Born in Austria

• Friend of Mozart, teacher of Beethoven

• Perfected the Sonata form

• Known for a good sense of humor

• Composed 121 pieces of music

Beethoven and Mozart comparison

chartBeethoven Mozart

Wrote music for Kings Wrote for the common people

Music was serious, sounded angry.

Fewer notes, loud chords

Music was light and playful, often

reflected his noticeable laugh

Constantly revised music Never edited music. Wrote it down

perfectly

Famous Classical Composers

Joseph Haydn b. March 31, 1732- d.

May 31, 1809

Wolfgang Mozart-b. January 27,

1756- d. December 5, 1791

Beethoven Baptized

December 17 1770- d. March 26,

1827

The metronome• Helps keep a steady beat

• Invented for Beethoven since he couldn’t hear

his music live

• All professional musicians use one to practice

• Now there are electronic ones

Classical Instruments• Strings

– Classical Guitar

• Woodwind

– Clarinet

• Brass

– Ophicleide

• Keyboard

– Piano

Listening example 1

• Composer: Joseph Haydn

• Title: “Symphony No. 94 “Surprise”

• Date:1791

• Texture: Homophonic

• Form: Sonata Allegro

• Additional Information: Also called “surprise

Symphony,” 23 minutes long

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLjwkamp3lI&sa

fety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1

Listening Example 2

• Composer: Ludwig Beethoven

• Title: “5th Symphony”

• Date: 1804-1808

• Texture: Homophonic

• Form: Sonata Allegro

• Additional Information: Motive used in pop culture

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4IRMYuE1hI&

safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1

Listening example 3

• Composer Amadeus Mozart

• Title: “Symphony #40 in G minor”

• Date: 1788

• Texture: Homophonic

• Form: Theme and Variations

• Additional information: Often used as a

ringtone

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-

hJf4ZffkoI&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_

mode=1

21) Which composer is your favorite or

most resembles you.

• And why?