Classical music: Introduction to the First Viennese School
The group of artists we now call the "First Viennese School" revolutionized classical
music between 1760 and 1830. The "school" is made up of Wolfgang Amadeus
Mozart, Joseph Haydn, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Franz Schubert, all of whom lived
and worked in Vienna, making the Austrian capital the center of musical creation at
that time. Although the men all moved in the same circles and knew one another,
they were not an actual "school" in the sense of working together to produce
musical compositions.
The name "First Viennese School" is a later appellation, of course. Just as the "Great
War" became "World War I" after World War II, the First Viennese School's title
flows from that of the Second Viennese School, an early 20th century group of
students surrounding Arnold Schoenberg. The Second Viennese School was a truly
collaborative group; the composers in Schoenberg's studio bounced ideas off of one
another, critiqued each other's works, and collectively promoted the performance of
finished pieces. In contrast, the members of the First Viennese School worked
independently, sometimes studying with one another, at other times competing for
sponsorship.
So, who were these giants of classical music?
The best known is probably W. A. Mozart (1756-1791), the child prodigy and
inventive musical genius. Despite his early death, Mozart created an incredible
portfolio of more than 600 symphonies, concerti, operas, chamber pieces, and choral
works. Mozart essentially created the piano concerto. The majority of his pieces are
light, clear, and playful- the essence of the Classical era. Some of his later works,
however, hint at the powerful, storm-tossed anguish of the Romantic era to come;
the "Dissonant" Quartet, K. 465, the Symphony No. 25 in G minor, K. 183, and
Mozart's final composition, the Requiem Mass in D minor, K. 626, are all good
examples of this darker side. Had he lived longer, Mozart might have been a leading
light of the Romantic era, as well, but he died at 35.
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809), known as the "Father of the Symphony" and the "Father
of the String Quartet" was born into an impoverished but very musical family. As an
adult, he became the music director for the court of Prince Nikolaus Esterhazy.
Haydn also befriended the younger Mozart around 1784, the two composers trading
effusive public compliments. Like Mozart, Haydn's work is often light and cheerful in
tone, and much of it shows a remarkable sense of humor (see, for example, the
"Surprise Symphony,"
designed to startle dozing royal listeners with a sudden blast of sound). Also like his
younger friend, Haydn produced some pieces in the "Sturm and Drang" (storm and
stress) style. Over time, Haydn grew quite wealthy from the publication and
performance of his popular works. By the time he was in his 40s, the composer had
the luxury of composing at his own pace, and producing only work that he really
believed in rather than entertaining "fluff" pieces. He also took on students,
including a young man named Beethoven in 1792.
Ludwig von Beethoven (1770- 1827) lived a troubled but intensely productive life
that spanned the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in music. His
troubled personal life, descent into deafness, and financial struggles have been
well-catalogued in books and movies. Beethoven took the symphony and the sonata
form, as developed by Haydn and Mozart, and expanded upon them. His works are
not the light, polite pieces produced by the earlier masters: Beethoven's symphonies,
concerti, sonatas, and masses are full of passion, anguish, and heroism. Today,
nearly everyone on Earth is familiar with the Moonlight Sonata, and the opening to
Beethoven's Fifth Symphony in C minor, Op. 67. It is fitting that the master died
dramatically in the midst of a thunderstorm in 1827, possibly of lead poisoning.
The black sheep of the First Viennese School is Franz Schubert (1797- 1828). Unlike
the other three, Schubert was practically unknown during his lifetime, and never had
steady work as a composer or performer. During his childhood, Schubert had only
the most basic of musical training. When the talented boy went away to the Imperial
boarding school on a choir scholarship, he drew the attention of composer Antonio
Salieri, who became his composition teacher. Schubert soon began to turn out some
charming chamber pieces, and celebrated graduation by writing his First Symphony,
D. 82. After graduation, the young man returned to teach at his father's school, then
began to rely on his friends and family for support while he poured out composition
after composition. These pieces were greeted with a deafening silence, for the most
part, although Beethoven was impressed enough to meet with the young man in
1822. This meeting did little to improve the younger man's fortunes. Despite his
hand-to-mouth existence, Schubert turned out a series of wonderful lieder ("songs")
including "Der Erlkonig," ten symphonies, chamber works, sacred compositions,
lovely piano concerti, and music for opera and theater. He died too young, at age 31.
After his death, his music was rescued and made popular in stages. First, Robert
Schumann discovered the "Great Symphony" in C major, D. 944, and had it
performed by Felix Mendelssohn in 1838. Then Franz Liszt transcribed 50 of
Schubert's lieder for piano. Finally, the writer of "Groves Dictionary of Music and
Musicians," Sir George Grove, found seven symphonies, some Masses, chamber
works and operas, the incidental music from "Rosamunde," and various incidental
pieces in 1867. These discoveries lead to much wider recognition of Schubert's talent.
Although it came posthumously, Schubert would no doubt be thrilled to know that
he is now one of the most famous names in classical music.
Together, Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, and Schubert had a profound influence on the
development of western music. Centuries after their deaths, the composers of the
First Viennese School continue to entertain and delight millions of people with their
masterpieces of musical genius.