1

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 1756-1791

• One of the greatest composers that ever lived

• His music is the essence of the classical style– Elegant, graceful, refined,

and high spirited

2

Mozart

• Listen to:• Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, K. 550

(1788)– Fourth Movement: Allegro assai (very fast)– The rapid sonata-form last movement of this

symphony conveys a feeling of controlled tension

3

Franz Joseph Haydn 1732-1809

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Joseph Haydn

• Listen to:• Symphony No. 94 in G Major (Surprise; 1791)

– Second Movement: Andante• This movement is in Theme and Variations form• There are four variations, where the theme is changed in tone color,

dynamics, rhythm, and melody• Sometimes the original melody is accompanied by a new one called a

countermelody• These combinations of two distinctive melodies result in polyphonic

texture

5

More Classical Forms

• Minuet and Trio– This type of music originated as a dance– The minuet was a stately dignified dance in which

the dancing couple exchanged curtsies and bows– The minuet of a symphony or trio is written for

listening and not for dancing – It is in ABA form

• A- Minuet, B-Trio, A-Minuet

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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

• Listen to:• Eine kleine Nachtmusik (A Little Night Music; 1787),

K. 525 Third Movement: Minuet (Allegretto)

• This work is in the form of a serenade• Serenades are usually light in mood and meant for entertaining • The third movement is in minuet form (ABA). The A (minuet) section is

stately, mostly loud and staccato, with a clearly marked beat• In contrast, the B (trio) section is intimate, soft, and legato Its murmuring

accompaniment contributes to the smooth flow of the music

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More Classical Forms

• Rondo Form• Rondo form is a theme that returns several

times in alternation with other forms• It can be outlined as: A B A C A D A E, etc. • This form can be used independently as its

own piece or as a movement (usually the last one) of a symphony

8

Ludwig van Beethoven 1770-1827

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Ludwig van Beethoven

• Listen to:• String Quartet in C Minor, Op. 18, No. 4 (1798-

1800)– Fourth Movement: Rondo (Allegro)

• This exciting movement from Beethoven can be outlined A B A C A B A

• Its lively main theme A, in the style of a Gypsy dance, is made up of two repeated parts: a a b b

• An unexpected tone held in part b suggests the playing of a Gypsy fiddler

10

Classical Symphony

• A symphony is an extended, ambitious composition lasting between 20 and 45 minutes

• It explores the ranges, tone colors, and dynamics of the classical orchestra

• A classical symphony consists of four movements which evoke a wide range of emotions through contrasts of tempo and mood

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Classical Symphony

• A typical sequence is:

• Movement 1 Vigorous, dramatic fast movement• Movement 2 A lyrical slow movement• Movement 3 Dance-like movement (minuet or scherzo)• Movement 4 A brilliant fast heroic movement

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Symphony Form:

• The opening movement is almost always in sonata form

• It is usually the most dramatic movement and stresses an exciting development of short motives (musical ideas)

• Sometimes a slow introduction leads to the opening fast movement and creates a feeling of anticipation

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Symphony Form:

• In the second movement, which is slow, we will often find broad song-like melodies

• This movement is usually in sonata form, ABA form, or theme and variations form

• This movement is usually not in the tonic key (key that the first movement is in)

• Changing keys helps the expressive contrast of the second movement

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Symphony Form:

• In the symphonies of Haydn and Mozart the third movement is generally a minuet or trio, and will be in a moderate or quick tempo

• This movement can vary in character from a courtly dance to a lively peasant romp

• Beethoven liked fast, energetic scherzos for his third movements

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Symphony Form:

• The fourth and concluding movement of Haydn or Mozart is fast, lively and brilliant

• Beethoven’s fourth movements tend to be more triumphant and heroic in character

• The final movement of a classical symphony is almost always in rondo form:

(A B A C A B A)

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Symphony Form

• To sum it up, A Symphony has:– First Movement- Fast (usually in Sonata form)– Second Movement- Slow– Third Movement- Minuet or Scherzo– Final Movement- Fast (usually in rondo form)

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Symphonies

• In most classical symphonies, each movement is a self-contained composition with its own set of themes

• A theme from one movement will rarely appear in another movement

• A symphony is unified partly by the use of the same key in three of its movements

• Most importantly, the movements balance and compliment each other both musically and emotionally

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The Classical Concerto

• Is a three movement work for an instrumental soloist and orchestra

• It combines the soloist’s virtuosity, an interpretive abilities with the orchestra’s wide range of tone colors and dynamics

• The soloist is the star and all of his or her musical talents are needed in this challenging dialogue

19

Classical Chamber Music

• Chamber music is subtle and intimate, intended to please the performer as well as the audience

• A chamber music group is a team• Each member is important and an essential

part of the group• No conductor is needed

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Classical Chamber Music

• The most important form of chamber music (according to this book) is the string quartet, written for two violins, viola and cello

• Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven wrote some of their most important music for this form

• Like a symphony, the string quartet usually consists of four movements: – (1) Fast, (2) Slow, (3) Minuet or scherzo, (4) Fast