Enlightenment
the European intellectual movement of the late 17th and 18th centuries emphasizing reason and individualism rather than tradition. Considered to be the "Classical Period", containing the Classic Style with roots in italy and Germany, but mostly being crea
Voltaire:
French writer, whose outspoken belief in religious, political, and social liberty made him the embodiment of the 18th-century Enlightenment. His major works include Lettres philosophiques (1734) and the satire Candide (1759). He also wrote plays, such as
Rousseau:
French philosopher and writer, born in Switzerland, who strongly influenced the theories of the French Revolution and the romantics. Many of his ideas spring from his belief in the natural goodness of man, whom he felt was warped by society.His works incl
What happened in America during the Enlightenment period?
The beginnings of the American Revolution - The Enlightenment idealism gave way to rational thinking and eventually the draft of the Declaration of Independance.
What changed in the development of the orchestra from the Baroque orchestra to the Classical orchestra?
They added increased attention to tone color, giving each group of instruments a specific and defined role in the orchestra.
What is the texture that is predominant in the Classical period (or the Enlightenment)?
Homophony.
Symphony:
an elaborate musical composition for full orchestra, typically in four movements, at least one of which is traditionally in sonata form.
Opening Movement:
fast/moderate tempo, sonata form.
Slow Movement:
slow/very slow tempo, sonata form, variations, rondo, other.
Minuet (With Trio):
moderate tempo, minuet form(moderately paced dance in triple meter).
Closing Movement:
fast/very fast tempo, sonata or rondo form.
Sonata Form:
A drama between two contrasting key areas. Composed of Exposition, Development and Recapitulation (Restatement). Exposition and Recapitulation are in tonic/dominant key whereas development is in foreign key. Exposition and Development also modulate occasi
Theme:
melodic idea used as a basic building block in the construction of a composition
Motive:
The smallest melodic or rhythmic unit (makes up a theme)
Bridge:
often used to contrast with and prepare for the return of the verse and the chorus.
First Theme:
a tune, a group of small phrases that sound as if they may grow into a tune, or a motive or two with a memorable rhythmic character.
Second Theme:
A new theme that stands out by its melodious quality from the 1st
Cadence Theme:
Closing Theme - last theme in the second group,
Development:
Heightens the tensions set up by the contrasting themes and keys of the exposition
Recapitulation:
occurs after the movement's development section, and typically presents once more the musical themes from the movement's exposition.
Sonata-Allegro Form (Sonata Form):
one of the most common forms in classical and romantic music. This form is commonly used in the first movement of sonatas, string quartets, symphonies and even concerts. It has three main sections: The Exposition (Present the Themes), The Development(Buil
Variation Form (Theme and Variations Form):
standard form of musical composition consisting of a simple usually harmonized melody presented first in its original unadorned form then repeated several or many times with varied treatment so based on the theme that at least some semblance of its genera
Minuet Form:
The term also describes the musical form which accompanied the dance, and subsequently developed more fully, often with a longer structure called the minuet and trio.
Minuet:
a slow, stately ballroom dance for two in triple time, popular especially in the 18th century.
Rondo Form:
a piece of music where the musical material stated at the beginning of the piece keeps returning. This opening music can be called either the theme or the refrain (they are the same thing).
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart:
Child Prodigy. Austrian composer, among the greatest and most prolific in history. Mozart's over 600 works include 41 symphonies, 27 piano concertos, 16 operas, 19 piano sonatas, and other orchestral and chamber works.
Franz Joseph Haydn:
Austrian composer, who played a major part in establishing the classical forms of the symphony and the string quartet.
Classical Concerto:
is a musical composition usually composed in three parts or movements, in which (usually) one solo instrument (for instance, a piano, violin, cello or flute) is accompanied by an orchestra or concert band.
Double Exposition Form vs Sonata Form -- What is different?:
a structure BASED on sonata form but with two expositions: one for the orchestra alone and one for the soloist and orchestra together. It also includes, near the end of the recapitulation, a cadenza for the soloist
String Quartet:
a musical ensemble of four string players - two violin players, a violist and a cellist - or a piece written to be performed by such a group.
Chamber Music:
is a form of classical music that is composed for a small group of instruments�traditionally a group that could fit in a palace chamber. Most broadly, it includes any art music that is performed by a small number of performers, with one performer to a par
Opera Buffa:
a comic opera, typically in Italian, characters are drawn from everyday life.
Ensemble:
a group of musicians, actors, or dancers who perform together.
Cadenza:
an improvised or written-out ornamental passage played or sung by a soloist or soloists, usually in a "free" rhythmic style, and often allowing for virtuosic display.
Beethoven:
German composer. Among the greatest composers in history, he began to lose his hearing in 1801 and was deaf by 1819. His music, which formed a transition from classical to romantic composition, includes 9 symphonies, 5 piano concertos, a violin concerto,
How does the French Revolution influence the arts in the Enlightenment Period?
Composers felt a need to express their freedom through their pieces during the Revolution.
What is a scherzo?
A piece of music, often a movement from a larger piece such as a symphony or a sonata.
What did a scherzo replace?
A minuet.
Life after Beethoven ;
Music after Beethoven was focused on the idea of Romanticism.
What are the main aspects of Romanticism?
Romantic composers used nationalistic, folkloric, and exotic subjects. Characterized by memorable melodies, richly expressive harmony, and broad expanded forms. Women musicians excelled as performers, teachers, composers and music patrons. "Romance" was d
How is concert life different in this period?
Typically played in a mix of a opera house and a concert hall. These concerts consisted of many variety of themes. Unique to the romantic era was the introduction of intimate, domestic musical genres being performed on these stages.
What are the style features present in the Romantic period?
Style was meant to be extremely extremely personal to the composer, and unique to them and only them. Containing rhythms, melodies and harmony specific to their performance standards.
What is chromaticism?
a compositional technique interspersing the primary diatonic pitches and chords with other pitches of the chromatic scale.
What is program music?
non-vocal music written in association with a poem or story
What are miniatures?
A musical composition which is short in duration.
What is "Thematic Unity"?
occurs when elements from a musical idea appear frequently, in significant places and their presence is recognized or experienced on or beneath the surface. In fugal compositions, thematic unity is evident in the opening statement of the subject and it pe
Lied:
German word meaning song, a genre for voice and piano, popular from the late 18th century onward, particularly in Germany but in many other countries as well
Franz Schubert:
Austrian composer known for his compositions for voice and piano
Through-composed:
song form that proceeds from beginning to end without repetitions of whole sections following a storyline and changing according to the text .
Strophic:
using the same music for successive stanzas
Song Cycle:
a set of related songs, often on a romantic theme, meant to be played in a SPECIFIC order that are intended to form a single musical entity
Robert Schumann:
Schumann is one of the most brilliant representatives of 19th-century romantic art. His music, which in many respects shows an affinity with the poetry of Heine, challenged the spiritual poverty of philistine Germany of the 1820's to 1840's and offered in
Clara Weick Schmann:
a German musician and composer, considered one of the most distinguished pianists of the Romantic era. She exerted her influence over a 61-year concert career, changing the format and repertoire of the piano recital and the tastes of the listening public.
Etude:
a short musical composition, typically for one instrument, designed as an exercise to improve the technique or demonstrate the skill of the player.
Character Piece:
a short, simple piece, usually for piano, of a type developed chiefly during the 19th century, often of a descriptive or seemingly improvisatory character.
Frederic Chopin:
Polish-born French composer and pianist of the romantic era. His music, written chiefly for the piano, was based on traditional Polish dance themes.
Nocturne:
An instrumental composition of a pensive, dreamy mood, especially one for the piano
Felix:
German conductor, pianist, and composer of works characterized by emotional restraint and classical form, including the Italian (1833) and Scottish(1842) symphonies.
Fanny:
German pianist that would sometimes publish her songs under her brother Felix's name.
Program Music:
Musical compositions intended to depict or suggest nonmusical incidents, ideas, or images, such as those drawn from literature
Hector Berlioz:
French composer of romantic works (1803-1869)