Romans classics Zeus and Minerva. The Greek mythology is the king of the gods, The ruler of Mount Olympus, and god of the sky and thunder.Minerva was a Roman goddess of crafts, poetry, and wisdom and is known as the inventor of music. As part of Greek and Roman classics, they are considered as work of enduring excellences in literature.
When did the Classical Period in Western take place?
The Classical period in Western music occurred from about 1750 to 1825.There is considerable overlap at both ends with preceding and following periods, as is true for all musical eras. What were the development prior to the Classical Period? In the middle of the 18th century, Europe began to move to a new style in architecture, and the arts generally, known as Classicism. The new style was also pushed forward by changes in the economic order and in social structure of the line. As the 18th century progressed, the nobility more and more became the primary patrons of instrumental music and there was a rise in the public taste for comic opera. This led to changes in the way music was performed, the most crucial of which was the move to standardize instrumental groups.
Who are the best known Classical composers?
Some of the best composers from this period are Wolgfang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig Van Beethoven, through other notable names include Muzio Clemente, Joseph Haydn, Johann Ladislaus Dussek, Carl Phillip Emanuel Bach, and Cristoph Willibald Gluck. There are transitional composers: Beethoven is also regarded either as a romantic composer or a composer who was part of the transition to the Romantic; Franz Schubert is also a transitional figure. The period is sometimes referred to as Viennese Classic since Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, and Schubert all worked at some time in Vienna.
How does Classicism incorporate both
old and new styles? Classicism incorporate features of both and old style and new style: OLD FEATURES
NEW STYLE FEATURES
-still tightly-linked to the -favored clearer divisions
court culture and absolutism.
between parts
-with its formality and emphasis
on order and hierarchy
-brighter contrast and colors
-simplicity rather than complexity
The main characteristics of music in the Classical
Period are the following: Music became lighter, clearer in texture, and less complicated
compared with Baroque music; mainly homophonic melody above
chordal accompaniment . Emphasis was given on grace and beauty melody and form, proportion and balance, moderation and control. There was an increase in variety and contrast within a piece of keys, melodies, rhythms, and dynamics; frequent changes of mood and timbre. Melodies tend to be shorter than those of the Baroque, with clearcut phrases and clearly marked cadences. Orchestra increase in size and range. The harpsichord was replaced by the piano (fortepiano): early piano music was thinnish in texture, often with Albeti bass accompaniment, but later became richer, more sonorous and powerful.
Importance was given to instrumental music sonata, trio, string
quartet, symphony, concerto, serenade, and divertimento.
Sonata from developed and became the most important design.
During the Classical period, music was viewed as
an art with permanent rather than short-lived value. o Greater stability or repose o Clarity o Balance o Self-reliance o Objectiveness o Traditionalism
What were the developments and changes in
music during Classical Period? 1. 2. 3. 4.
5.
Baroque polyphony was no longer the focus and gave way to
homophony. The playing of chords that became necessary led to the development of counterpoint and harmony. Standardizing of instruments groups Reduction in the importance of bass continuo as bass continuo was replaced by harmonic aspects often played by several instruments. Focus on a single melodic line with accompaniment has resulted to emphasis on dynamics and phrasing.
The simplification of texture resulted to these effects:
a) Instrumental detail became more important. b) Making use of characteristics rhythms, such as attentiongetting opening fanfares, the funeral march rhythm, or the minuet genre c) More emphasis on establishing and unifying the tone of a single movement. This also led to the Classical styles gradual breaking away from the baroque style of making each movement of music devoted to a single affect (mood or emotion). d) Opposition of major and minor modes e) Strident rhythmic themes f) More song-like themes g) Making movement between different harmonic areas
Instruments of the Classical Period
Fortepiano:Used from 16th till 18th century, these fortepianos were equipped with keyboards which were extensively used in Italy. Originally with four octaves as its range, fortepiano in succeeding years expanded its range till 5 and 6 octaves. Fortepianos were capable to vary their sound on each note as the players touch was quite important. They would produce smooth and softer tone as compared to modern day pianos. Chalumeau:It is a wooden instrument which gained popularity in the classical era. Similar to flutes, Chalumeau had a special mouthpiece and a set of throat keys which would control the notes. This stopped pipe, single-reed windblown instrument did not over blow like the clarinet. Musical orchestras and chamber music were the proud users of this Chalumeau which was used with the clarinet. The quality of the wood was of utmost importance to make a chalumeau sound its characteristic.
Ophicleide:This French instrument used brass-keys to
manipulate the air blown in to it. Its cup-shaped mouthpiece with 9-12 keys was mainly used in military bands. With 3 octave range, the Ophicleide gave same tone like the euphonium. During the renaissance period, Ophicleide played an important role for those who used music as a source of communication. Basset horn:This curve horn shaped musical piece was known for its low bass pitches. Primarily a German instrument, France and Italy also used it as a versatile wind instrument. It is a larger instrument as compared to the clarinet and has a bend just after the mouthpiece as well as the additional keys made it a popular instrument in the 18th century period. Xylophones:Not core European instruments, Xylophones were part of the Asian and African musical era. This musical instrument was adapted and widely used in the operas and other musical form in the era of renaissance. Tuned wooden bars were arranged in a specific manner and were played using a mallet. This orchestral instrument produces higher pitch notes.