Arts of the
Enlightenment
Classical: refers to the entire genre (type) of music.
However, within “classical” there are various styles.
TIMELINE OF ARTS INFLUENCES/STYLES
RENAISSANCE 1400 - 1800 AD (CE)
Renaissance: Italy 1400 - 1600 AD
Renaissance: Europe 1500 - 1600 AD
Baroque 1600 - 1700 AD
Rococo 1700 - 1750 AD
PRE-MODERN 1800 - 1880 AD (CE)
Neo-Classicism 1750 - 1880 AD
1.Baroque:
- describes a style of Western expression
- Baroque era spans from about 1600 to mid 1700s.
- This era is followed by the (best known) Classical Era.
- The word "baroque" comes from the Portuguese word
barroco, meaning "misshapen pearl“ – this was a
pejorative term (negative description) at the time.
- Baroque music is ornate; heavily “detailed”
- Architecture is also referred to as Baroque (buildings
used form, light, shadow)
Chapel at Versailles
Brussels Grand Palace (baroque + gothic)
Belvedere in Austria: built for a Viennese
hero and today houses works of art.
Late Baroque Composer:
Johann Sebastian Bach
- As a child Bach's father taught him
to play violin and harpsichord. His uncles were all
musicians, serving as church organists and court
chamber musicians.
-In 1723 Bach became the cantor, organist, and
music composer for St. Thomas Lutheran Church
in Leipzig, Germany.
Toccata and Fugue:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fSICs-zPeY
Brandenburg Concerto:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFRfcWKYZWc&feature=relate
d
Another Famous Baroque piece:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_VARtvgGBY&feature=related
Handel’s Messiah.
- George Handel (1685-1759)
- German/British
- moved permanently to UK in 1712
- He was well-respected by fellow composers in life and after death; Mozart said of
Handel: “When he chooses, he strikes like a thunderbolt.”
2. Neo-Classical:
-
Mid-1700’s to 1820’s
established many of the norms of composition, presentation, and
style (question/answer style of composition)
Included opera, which grew in style and popularity, as well as the
symphony
Mozart and Beethoven are part of this period
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- Born in Salzburg, Austria in 1756.
- Child prodigy, composed at the age of 5
- Stands as leader among classical composers
-Clarity, balance
-Simple tunes also mask complexities in his music
- wrote famous pieces:
-The Marriage of Figaro (cue music!)
-The Magic Flute (cue music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP9SX7V14Z4)
The film Amadeus captures Mozart’s impertinence and genius!
(cue movie!)