MUSIC CLASSICAL

PERIOD

1750 - 1820
 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CLASSICAL
STYLE
2

1. Contrast of Mood
Mood in classical music may change gradually or
suddenly, expressing conflicting surges of elation
and depression.
But, such conflict and contrast are under the firm
control of the classical composer.

Prepared by Pang Chin Huey

 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CLASSICAL
STYLE
3

1. Rhythm
 Flexibility of rhythm
 Includes unexpected pauses, syncopations, and
frequent changes from long notes to shorter ones.
 The change from one pattern of note length to
another may be either sudden or gradual.

Prepared by Pang Chin Huey

 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CLASSICAL
STYLE
4

1. Texture
• Homophonic texture. However, texture is treated
as flexibly as rhythm.
• A work may begin homophonic ally with a melody
and simple accompaniment but then change to a
more complex polyphonic texture that features two
simultaneous melodies or melodic fragments
among the various instruments.

Prepared by Pang Chin Huey

 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CLASSICAL
STYLE
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1. Melody
 Classical melody are among the most tuneful and
easy to remember.
 The themes (sophisticated) may have a folk or
popular flavor.
 Classical melodies often sound balanced and
symmetrical because they are frequently made up
of two phrases of the same length.

Prepared by Pang Chin Huey

 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CLASSICAL STYLE
6

1. Dynamics and the Piano

 The classical composer’ interest in

expressing shades of emotion led to the
widespread use of gradual dynamics
change – crescendo and decrescendo.

Prepared by Pang Chin Huey

 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CLASSICAL
STYLE
7

1. The end of the Basso Continuo

 The basso continuo was gradually abandoned

during the classical period.
 REASONS:
1. More written for amateurs (could not master the
difficult art of improvising from a figured bass)
2. Also, classical composers wanted more control;
they preferred to specify an accompaniment rather
than trust the judgment of improvisers.
Prepared by Pang Chin Huey