The Classical Period

Circa 1750 to 1820

Rococo or Preclassical Style

a musical style that was developed in the middle of the eighteenth century Rococo style is homophonic and light in texture, melodic, and elaborately ornamented.

Important Composers of Music in the Rococo Style

François Couperin (1668-1733)C. P. E. Bach

(1714-1788) Johann Christian Bach (1735-1782)

CLASSICAL PERIODclassical is applied to the period because in art and literature, there was keen interest in, admiration for, and emulation of the classical artistic and literary heritage of Greece and Rome.

CLASSICAL PERIOD

This era has also been labelled the Age of EnlightenmentViennese Classic period

CLASSICAL PERIOD The musical scene in the classical period reflected the changes occurring in the society in which the music was being writtenThis was the first era in music history in which public concerts became an important part of the musical scene

CLASSICAL PERIOD• The musical scene in the classical period reflected the changes occurring in the society in which the music was being written

• This was the first era in music history in which public concerts became an important part of the musical scene

Important forms of choral music Mass

masses involved orchestra, soloists, and choir in a fully integrated work, utilizing organizational principles derived from instrumental forms.

Missa Brevis consist of strictly delimited development, simultaneous setting of several lines of text, or the omission of certain sections of the mass.

Important forms of choral music Missa Solemnis

more elaborate and extended musical treatment of the mass text than that employed in the Missa Brevis.

Oratoriowas continued in the Classical period primarily by Haydn, who wrote two oratorios, The Creation and The Seasons, which have remained an important part of the choral repertoire.

Important forms of choral music Requiem the Classical period produced a

setting by Mozart that has become a staple of the choral repertoire and two settings by Cherubini that are also often performed.

Vespers Mozart wrote two settings of this

service each of which includes psalms and the Magnificat, written for choir, quartet of soloists, and orchestra.

Important forms of choral music Choral Symphony A symphony which includes

sections written for choir and orchestra.

Example: Beethoven's Ninth Symphony,

incorporating choir and soloists in the fourth movement.

CLASSICAL PERIOD most of the important stylistic advances that occurred can be observed most clearly in the instrumental forms:

symphony concerto SonataInstrumental chamber music

CORAL MUSIC COMPOSERS

1.Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) 2.Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)3. Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

Franz Joseph Haydn

born in the Rohrau, Austria, in 1732

At age eight he was accepted as a choirboy at St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna

Franz Joseph Haydn

1759, he worked briefly as musical director for Count Morzin

1761 was employed as assistant music director and then music director for the Esterhazy family

Franz Joseph Haydn He had been hired by

Johann Peter Salomon to compose and conduct six symphonies for his first trip (1791-1792) and six for his second (1794-1795).

He died in 1809 in Vienna.

Some of his most significant Choral works:

His two oratorios:  The Creation and The Seasons.Twelve massesA PassionTwo Te Deums, Stabat Mater : andfew other smaller works.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

born in Salzburg, Austria, in 1756

the age of six, he could play the harpsichord and violin, compose, and performed in Munich and Vienna

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

1781, Mozart left Salzburg and moved to Vienna, teaching, concertizing, traveling, and continuing to compose constantly

Some of his most significant Choral works

Eighteen massesThe RequiemTwo Vespers settings; and a variety of shorter choral pieces.

Ludwig van Beethoven

born in Bonn, Germany, in 1770

came to Vienna in 1792, where he studied with Haydn and Albrechtsberger.

His first public performances in Vienna as a pianist and composer came in 1795.

Ludwig van Beethoven primarily a composer

of instrumental music, and it is in his symphonies, piano music, and string quartets that the transition from Classic to Romantic style is most clearly discernible.

Some of his most significant Choral works

Mass in D MajorMissa SolemnisTwo massesOratorioTwo symphonic works with large choral sections ;and a few smaller pieces.

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