Mood of Classical Style?
Mood changes and fluctuates. Mood may change gradually or suddenly.
Rhythm of Classical Style?
It changes and we get a variety of rhythm. It has unexpected pauses, syncopation, and frequent changes from long notes to short notes.
Dynamics of Classical Style?
They had the ability to go from really soft to really loud. Widely used crescendo to decrescendo. They used gradual dynamic change and terraced dynamic change, abrupt shifts from soft to loud.
Harmony of Classical Style?
Chords are changing much faster. There are mixture of chords.
Other characteristics of Classical Style?
There are gaps and silences.
Sections and forms are clear cut.
Lots of question/answer type phrases.
Started standardizing groups.
Classical Symphony
Strings
Woodwinds (main section)
Some brass
Concerto Grosso
Concerto grosso fades in popularity and solo concerto took over.
Sonata
A generic term, something to be played.
The Classical Symphony
A symphony is an extended, ambitious composition lasting between 20-45 minutes, exploiting the expanded range of tone color and dynamics of the classical orchestra.
Classical Forms
1. Fast movement (Sonata form)
2. Slow movement (Theme and variations, A B A form)
3. Dance like (Minuet and trio)
4. Fast movement (Rondo)
1. Fast Movement
Opening movement is almost always fast and in sonata form. Most dramatic movement and stresses an exciting development of short motives.
2. Slow Movement
We find broad, song-like melodies. Either in sonata or A B A form or theme and variations form.
3. Dance like
Generally a minuet and trio, which may be in a moderate or fairly quick tempo.
4. Fast Movement
Fast, lively, brilliant but somewhat lighter in mood than the opening movement.
Sonata Form
A single movement. Opening fast movement. Can also be used in slow movements and in fast concluding movements.
Exposition (Sonata Form)
Themes are presented, exposes the material or theme.
Development (Sonata Form)
Themes are treated in new ways and are developed.
Recapitulation (Sonata Form)
Themes return and are recapped.
Coda "Tail" (Sonata Form)
Concluding section. Rounds off movement by repeating themes or developing them further.
Theme and Variations
Independent piece or as one movement. A basic musical idea, the theme, is repeated and over and over and changed every time.
Symphony No. 94 in G Major (Surprise)
Minuet and Trio
Originated as a dance. Dance like. Intended for listening, not dancing.
A - Minuet
B - Trio (Quieter)
A - Minuet
Mozart, Nachtmusik
Rondo
Fast movement, light, fun. A tuneful main theme returns several times in alteration with other themes.
A B A C A
Beethoven String Quartet Op. #18
Beethoven: String Quartet, Op. 18 #4
Rondo movement
A B A C A B A
Main theme is up of two repeated parts a a b b
The main theme in minor contrasts with other themes which are in major.
Classical Concerto
A three-movement work for an instrumental soloist and orchestra. It combines the soloist's virtuosity and interpretive abilities with the orchestra's wide range of tone color and dynamics. The soloist and the orchestra work with each other.
Classical Concerto Movement
1. Fast (unaccompanied showpiece for the soloist, cadenza)
Opens with sonata form, with two expositions.
2. Slow
3. Fast
Finale is usually a quick rondo or sonata-rondo
Classical Chamber Music
Designed for the intimate setting of a room in home or palace, rather than for a public concert hall. Chamber music is lighter in sound.
Classical String Quartet
2 violins, viola, and a cello.
They passed around the harmony in an almost conversational way.
-Fast
-Slow
-Minuet or scherzo
-Fast
Joseph Haydn
Developed the symphony and string quartet. Influenced Mozart's and Beethoven's musical style. Haydn's music was influenced by his folk roots. Master at developing themes.
Haydn, Symphony No. 94 in G Major (Surprise)
Second Movement: Andante. Theme and Variations form. Four variations in which the theme is changed in tone color, dynamics, rhythm, and melody.
Sometimes the original melody is accompanied by a new melody called countermelody. It has a polyphonic texture.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Most versatile of all composers.
Wrote in all musical forms of his time.
Classical concertos was his forte.
He was also a master of opera.
He was influenced by Bach and Haydn.
Mozart: Symphony #40
Opening theme in violins set the mood for first movement, which is in sonata form.
Has four movements
1. Fast
2. Slow
3. Minuet
4. Fast
What else was happening during the classical period?
There was a period of political violence and social upheaval. Musicians were affected by the changes in society.
More people made more money, and that meant more demand for music.
Vienna
Musical center of Europe during classical period.