MUSIC OF CLASSICAL PERIOD

CLASSICAL ERA

• Also known as the “Age of Reason”

• 1750 – 1820
• The cultural life was dominated by aristocracy, as the patrons of musicians and artist generally
influenced the arts.

Middle 18th century

• Classicism – Denotes conformity with the principles and characteristics of Ancient Greek and
Roman Literature.
• Instrumental music was patronized primarily by the nobility.

Important Historical Events:

• French Revolution (French Political War)

• Napoleonic Wars (War between King Napoleon and European People)
• American Declaration of Independence Day in 1776
• American Revolution (Political Revolution between America and Great Britain)

Characteristics:

1. Formal
2. Elegant
3. Simple
4. Freed
5. Dignified

Harmony and Texture – Homophonic (In General)

Dynamics – Crescendo (Gradually becoming Louder) and Diminuendo (Gradually becoming softer)
Broken Chords – Alberti Bass

Instrumental Form

➢ Sonata – Came from word “Sonare” which means to make a sound

This term is applied to a variety of works for a solo instrument such as piano and violin
• Movements of Sonata
- 1st Movement – Allegro (Fast Movement)
- 2nd Movement – Andante (Slow Movement)
- 3rd Movement – Minuet (Moderate or fast tempo) three-four Time Signature

➢ Sonata Allegro – The most important form and developed during classical era

• Three Sections of Sonata Allegro

- Exposition – first part of composition (Introduce the theme)
- Development – Middle part of composition (Themes were developed)
- Recapitulation – Last part of Composition (Repeat the exposition part)
➢ Concerto – Multi movement work designed for an instrument soloist and orchestra
- form of music intended primarily to emphasize the individuality for the solo of
instrument and to exhibit the virtuosity and interpretative abilities of the performer.

Three Movements of Concerto

• 1st Movement – Sonata allegro form (Fast)
• 2nd Movement – Has more ornamentation than the first movement (Slow)
• 3rd Movement – Usually in a form of rondo, resembling the last movement of the
symphony and usually a short cadenza is used. (Fast)
➢ Rondo – a musical form that alternates the main theme to contrasting theme
➢ Cadenza – an improvised passage or ornamentation performed by soloist or group
of soloists that allows to display virtuosity.

➢ Symphony – Derived from the word Sinfonia which literally means “Harmonious Sounding
Together”
- Multi movement for orchestra

Four Movements of Symphony

• 1St Movement - Sonata Allegro (Fast)
• 2nd Movement - Gentle lyrical (Slow Tempo)
• 3rd Movement – Minuet or Scherzo “Uses a Dance Form” (Moderate/Fast)
• 4th Movement – Rondo or Sonata Form (Fast)

Vocal Form

➢ Classical Opera – is a drama set to music singers and musicians perform in theatrical setting.

Two Distinct Styles of Opera

1. Opera Buffa
• Also known as comic opera.
• Opera in Italy that is full of fun
• Everyday characters and situations and typically employed spoken dialogues, lengthy
arias (Solo Voice) and with sight gags, naughty humor and social attire.
• An opera with humorous plot and usually with a happy ending.

2. Opera Seria
• Also known as serious opera.
• Usually implies heroic or tragic drama that employs mythological characters, which
was inherited to Baroque period.
 Music Composers
1. Franz Joseph Haydn (1732 – 1809)
• One of the most prominent composers of the Classical Period.
• Also known as the “Father of Symphony”
• His life described as a “Rags to Riches”
- He came from a poor family and his music led to his rise in social status
- He hired by rich patrons to become a musical director of Esterhazy
family for 3O years.
• He was able to compose over 100 symphonies and large orchestral music.

Famous Musical Works:

➢ Surprise (Symphony No. 94)
➢ The Clock (Symphony No. 101)
➢ Military (Symphony No. 100)

2. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 – 1751)

• Also known as the Child Prodigy and amazing genius in music history
• 6 yrs. old – he knows how to play piano and harpsichord
• 7 yrs. old – he was already composing music
• 13 yrs. old – he had written sonatas, concertos, symphonies, religious works,
and operas.
• He composed over 700 works

Famous Musical Works

➢ The Marriage of Figaro
➢ The Magic Flute
➢ Don Giovanni
➢ Eine Keine Nachtmusik

3. Ludwig Van Beethoven 1770 – 1827

• Born in Germany to family of Musicians
• He was the composer who bridged the late classical era and early romantic
era
• He was a talented pianist and composer
• He composed 32 piano sonatas, 21 set variations, 9 symphonies, 5 concerto
and 16 string quartets, and choral music

Famous Musical Works:

➢ Fidelio
➢ Eroica
➢ Pastoral
➢ Choral
➢ Moonlight
➢ Adagio Sostenuto