Classical Music
1750-1820
What makes music Classical?
•Dominance of the orchestra
•Clear and logical shape
•Balanced; symmetrical
•Homophonic
•Heroic themes
•Element of surprise
•Mythology is “in” again
•Baroque improvisation and
contrapuntal devices are “out”
If you went to a Classical concert,
you might hear
these musical GENRES:
Concerto =
3 movement orchestral piece
for solo and tutti
Symphony = 4 movement orchestral piece
using all instruments
String Quartet = 4 movements, 2 violins,
viola and cello
Sonata
=
3-4 movements
an instrumental piece for one
or two instruments (solo plus
sometimes piano)
4 Movements of the Symphony (and
String Quartets)
• FAST -- Allegro
• SLOW -- Adagio or Andante (“walking”)
• DANCE FORM – ¾ time ( minuet or
scherzo)
• FAST – Allegro
Classical audiences wanted
predictable forms, to know
what to expect
Sonata-Allegro Form
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Refers to the form of just one
movement, the first---at
allegro tempo
Exposition (the “A”),
introduces two themes, one in
the tonic, one in dominant.
The exposition is performed
twice ( A A )
Development (the “B”),
fragments of the theme,
dynamic tension
Recapitulation (the “A” again),
restating the themes, this
time both in the tonic
Coda, the “Big Bang” at the
end
AABA
Coda
So what are tonic and dominant,
again?
Tonic = the 1st step
The center tone of the piece
Dominant = the 5th step
For example, if the tonic is C, the
dominant is G
---the building blocks of music
What about
opera?
•Public opera houses flourish; opera
is for the common man as well as
for nobility (Volksoper vs Staatoper)
•Public opera often is lighter,
“comique”
•Echoing rationalist sensibilities,
action moves through conflicts and
misunderstandings to an inevitable
happy ending; each individual has
the power to help create a “good”,
noble world
•Structure is symmetrical,
alternating recitative and aria
Parts of an opera:
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Overture—the instrumental
opening
Aria—the solo song
Recitative—the sung narrative
Libretto—the text
Joseph Haydn
1732-1809
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“Father” of both the symphony and string quartets
Wrote the first modern symphony in 1759; composed 104
symphonies in total
Also wrote string quartets, oratorios, cantatas
Prince Esterhazy (Hungarian) was main patron
Created chamber quartets to keep up with popularity of sheet
music and playing at home
Incorporated element of surprise in most symphonies: Clock
(101), Drum Roll (103) Surprise (94)
Affected by Sturm und Drang---urgency, strong emotions,
sudden intense changes
Created 2 famous oratorios at end of life: The Seasons and
Creation
At end of life, put under house arrest by Napoleon
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
1756-91
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Child prodigy; tours Europe by age 6
From Austria (Catholic, monarchy);
plays for royalty but later supports himself,
finding his own patrons
and customers
Writes first opera at 13
Lives in Vienna, “Land of the piano”
Is extremely fun-loving and irreverent
Writes 41 symphonies, 20+ piano concertos, string quartets
Invents string quintets, adding one more viola
Wrote several operas: Idomeneo is first, serious opera based on
Greek myth. Don Giovanni is both comic and serious. Magic
Flute uses symbols of the free masons; made for the public
opera house
Wrote his own requiem (funeral mass) at end of life
Ludwig van Beethoven
1770-1827
• Child prodigy, as well, but not quite
as gifted as Mozart
• Went to Vienna to study and compose
• Never married but fell in love frequently
• Cranky and surly; looses hearing by age 32
• Writes Heiligenstadt document to end his career
• Fond of minor tones to fit his mood
• Wrote 32 piano sonatas and 9 symphonies
• Wrote one opera, Fidelio, suggesting political oppression,
justice, freedom, loyalty in marriage
• Famous symphonies: 3rd (Eroica), 5th (in C minor
dadadada...), 6th (Pastoral), 9th (Chorale, “Ode to Joy”, 5
movements, based on a poem by Schiller)