The Classical Era Gr 10 GMK

Historical Context

Prominent Composers

The Classical Era

Musical Characteristics

Musical Genres

Musical forms

Musical Developmemts

Dynamics

• Change gradually OR suddenly
• Crescendos and decrescendos commonly used
• Could convey a variety of moods and emotions.
• Move away from Baroque terraced dynamics
• Move away from smaller dynamic range of Baroque era

Listen to Vivaldi's "Spring." Can you hear how the dynamics change suddenly?

Serenade No 13, K525

Eine Kleine Nachtmusik

Written in 1787 Scored for string quartet/string orchestra Four movements

1. Allegro - sonata form in G major
2. Romanza - rondo form in C major
3. Allegretto - minuet and trio form in G major
4. Allegro - sonata-rondo form in G major

First movement:

• First theme is cheery and bold
• Second theme is more graceful and less rushed
• Development section is short, ending in G major
• Coda is exctended and full of fanfare

Listen to the third movement for an example of minuet and trio form!

Concerto

Usually 3 movements, this is a work for an instrumental soloist and an orchestra. This piece combines the skill and virtuosity of the solist with the wide range of timbre and dynamics that an orchestra is capable of Soloist and orchestra are equally important - highlights the ideal of balance in the Classical Era Mozart and Beethoven write many piano concertos for themselves as the soloist Other common solo instruments: flute, violin, cello, horn, trumpet, clarinet, and bassoon. There is usually a cadenza near the end of the first movement and sometimes the last movement.

• In Classical era, the performer often improvised cadenzas
• BUT improvisation gradually declined and cadenzas were written out
• Classical concerto: special sonata form movement
• Final movement is usually rondo/sonata-rondo

Opera

A split between two types of opera emerges:

• Opera seria: serious subject matter; written for nobility and portraying their perspective.
• Opera buffa: more relatable subject matter; written for the more common people.

• Christoph Willibald Gluck reacts against the spectacle of opera seria; reforms the genre.
• Focus on return to basics, and "beautiful simplicity"
• Focus on relationship between words and music, and on human drama

Watch this short video on developments in opera in the Classical Period

Rise of the middle class

Increased industrialisation meant that the common people had greater access to education, more fincancial stability, and time off from work. This meant that for the first time, a rising amount of the middle class could attend public concerts.

• Composers were also able to break away from the patronage system and become freelance musicians.
• Music was considered an important part of education for aristocrats and the middle class.

Symphony

Highly developed in the Classical Period, a symphony is an extended musical composition for a full orchestra. The Classical symphony often follows the following pattern:Several movements with contrasting character and tempo:

1. Fast movement: usually in sonata form; dramatic; short and exciting motives.
2. Slow movement: songlike melodies, often not in tonic key, emphasising contrast.
3. Dance movement/scherzo: could be stately or vigorous and energetic. Beethoven transformed this movement to a scherzo.
4. Fast movement:
1. For Haydn and Mozart: Brilliant, lively, and light
2. For Beethoven: a triumphant, heroic climax

• Haydn wrote 104 symphonies
• Mozart wrote over 40
• Beethoven wrote only 9

Read more about how the symphony developed over time!

Symphony No. 94 in G Major

The Surprise Symphony

Premiered in 1772 in London Haydn loved including musical "jokes" in his works, and this is perhaps the most famous of them all. Four movements:

1. Adagio Cantabile - Vivace Assai
1. Sonata form
2. Andante
3. Menuetto - Allegro Molto
1. Ternary form minuet and trio
4. Finale - Allegro Molto
1. Sonata-rondo form

See Mrs Franke's notes and questions!

• Second movement:
• Theme and variation
• 2/4 time; subdominant key
• Theme is in two 8-bar sections repeated
• Followed by four variations

Sonata

A sonata is a composition for a solo instrumentalist, often accompanied by piano. Usually 4 movements Mozart preferred his sonatas to have 3 movements

• He would omit the minuet and trio movement

Beethoven's third movements in his sonatas became very fast - they were called scherzos First movement is in sonata form Other movements can be any form

• "Sonata" literally means "a piece played"
• In contrast to "cantata" meaning "a piece sung"
• Took on increasing importance in the Classical era

Mood and emotional range

• Mood shifts throughout a piece
• Contrasts within movements AND within themes in the movement
• Changes can be gradual or sudden
• Emphasis on control and restraint
• Meant to be tasteful and appealing
• Move away from Baroque solemnity

Listen to this Baroque Trio Sonata by Corelli. Can you hear how solemn/serious it sounds?

Improvements in other instruments

Many instruments were improved on during the Classical period. Woodwind instruments were particularly developed. Instrumental music becomes much more important, and many instruments are added to the standard orchestra.

• The clarinet becomes a prominent instrument.
• The French horn becomes more important in orchestral compositions.

Sonata form

During the Classical Era

Sonanta form is the form of one movement in a piece. This is different from a sonata, a Classical genre. The first movement of a symphony, sonata, or string quartet is often in sonata form.

Sonata form has three main sections:

1. Exposition

1. Development
2. Recapitulation

Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13

The "Sonata Pathetique"

Written in 1798, published in 1799. Dedicated to patron Karl von Lichnowsky Labelled the Pathetique by the publisher because of its expression of tragedy and suffering. BUT it is not about giving in to despair. It is about overcoming struggle. Blend of Classical and Romantic features This sonata was so impactful and groundbreaking that it laid the groundwork for the emotionally expressive music of the Romantic period.

Beethoven wrote 32 sonatas for pianoMovements:

1. Grave - Allegro

1. Adagio cantabile
2. Rondo: Allegro

Listen to a recording of the full sonata here!

Sonata No. 8 Op. 13

Analysis of movements

1. Grave - Allegro di molto e con brio

Sonata form; slow introduction Moves to allegro section in 2/2 time Theme 1: rocket motive with LH tremelos (c minor) Theme 2: more lyrical (Eb minor) Theme 3: alberti bass (Eb major) 2. Adagio cantabileRondo form. Melody in Ab major. 2/4 timeEpisode 1: f minor Episode 2: Ab minor

3. Rondo: AllegroSonata rondo form. Cut time. C minor Main theme resembles second theme from first movement. Modified melody from second movement. Therefore, connection between movements.

Melody

• Short, balanced 4-bar phrases
• Usually at least two contrasting themes in a movement
• Tuneful, often folk-like and easy to remember
• Can often be broken into fragments (motives) that are developed
• Move away from Baroque complexity and ornamentation

Listen to this piece by Bach for an example of the continuous Baroque melody

Serenade and requiem

Serenade: a work for an instrumental ensemble in multiple movements. Mainly composed in the Classical and Romantic periods, a serenade is generally lighter in character than other multi-movement works for large ensembles. Serenades were often performed outdoors, so instruments that could be played standing were common, including wind ensembles, violins, and violas. Serenades often began and ended with march movements, because instrumentalists had to march to and from the performance venue.

Requiem: a requiem is a mass for the dead in the Catholic churchMozart was comissioned to write a requeim but died before he could complete it.

Religion in the Classical Era

Enlightenment ideals meant that the church was no longer as powerful as it was in the Baroque era.The prevailing values of the time became rationalism - basing thoughts and actions on reason and knowledge rather than on religion and emotion. Masses and reqiems were still composed as the Catholic church required these for services BUT the oratorio, a Protestant genre, was dismissed.

• Haydn wrote only 2 oratorios
• Beethoven wrote only one

Learn more about the age of enlightenment here!

Ludwig van Beethoven

• 1770-1827
• Transitional composer - bridged Classical and Romantic Periods

• Born in Bonn, Germany (find it on this map)
• Moved to Vienna at 21 - studied with Haydn
• Became deaf later in his life
• Life can be divided into 3 periods

Watch this quick video detailing Beethoven's life!

Chamber music

Designed for a more intimate setting - a home or small performance room

• Rather than a concert hall.

Performed by a small group of musicians - usually between 2-9

• Each part is played by one player

Usually lighter in sound than orchestral music It was common for aristocrats or members of the bourgeoisie to play chamber music together or hire chamber musicians for entertainment. Does not need a conductor - each musician needs to be sensitive to what the others are doing Usually four movements

• Most important form in Classical era is the string quartet
• Written for 2 violins, viola, and cello
• Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven wrote many string quartets
• Other popular forms: sonata for violin and piano, and violin, cello, and piano.

Rhythm

Rhythm became clearly defined and regular. Variety and contrast was created through:

• Different rhythmic patterns
• Changes between short and long notes
• Syncopations and unexpected pauses were common. Eg: Mannheim pause

Move away from Baroque drive and pace

Listen to one of Bach's Brandeburg Concertos for an example of how Baroque music emphasised a rhythmic drive

Invention of the forte-piano

Invented by Bartolomeo Christofori in around 1700, the piano replaced the Baroque harpsichord. The strings of a piano were hammered instead of plucked. This allowed more dynamic variation and contrast. Applying different amounts of pressure on piano keys results in different dynamic levels.

The late 18th century piano was:

• Lighter than current piano
• Thinner strings held by a wooden frame (rather than metal)
• Smaller pitch range, shorter note duration

Franz Joseph Haydn

• 1732-1809
• Born in Austria
• Known as "the father of the symphony"
• Spent most of his career as a court musician for the Esterházy family
• Mentored Mozart and tutored Beethoven

Watch this quick video outlining Haydn's best works!

Click on the eye icon to listen to a podcast on Mozart and his life! This is not compulsory listening, it is just for if you want to know more

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

• 1756-1791
• Born in Salzburg, Austria (find it on this map)
• Wrote over 800 works in all prominent genres of the time
• Music classified by Ludwig van Kochel
• His pieces have a "K." number
• Eine Kleine Nachtmusik is Serenade No. 13, K.525

Watch this documentary on Mozart!