Classical Period 1750 1820 Did you notice something

Classical Period 1750 -1820

Did you notice something? • There was a difference between the ending date of the Classical period from the 1 st slide to the 2 nd slide. • Why do you think that there is discrepancy over when the Classical period ended? • Some place the end of the Classical Period at 1827 when Beethoven died. • I prefer 1820, because Beethoven’s later music transitioned to the next period.

Style of music from Classical period • • • Graceful, detailed elaboration Light, flowing melodies Short, simple phrases Use of dance rhythms Variety and contrast were used Increased use of crescendo, decrescendo & sforzando • Frequent changes in mood

(1770 -1827) Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 -1827) • 1770 - Born in Bonn, the capital of the electorate of Cologne (now part of Germany) • 1789 – Might have briefly studied with Mozart • 1789 – Mother died • 1792 – Studied with Haydn • 1795 – Public debut as pianist & composer in Vienna • 1814 – last public appearance as pianist • 1827 – died in Vienna

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 -1827) • Could play piano, organ and violin • His music is filled with assertiveness, aggression & passion • Considered a transitional composer between Classical & Romantic Periods • Life divided into 3 periods • Youth/early manhood (1770 -1802) • Middle life (1803 -1812), wrote all forms of music & most famous works • Final period (1813 -1827), personal stresses led to small number of works he produced; what he wrote was serious & intimate

Beethoven’s hearing loss • 1796 – aware that he was losing his hearing • 1799 – quit attending social functions • 1800 – aware that it was getting worse & he would likely go deaf • 1802 – went through depression • Deaf before he turned 50. • Broke strings on his piano because he was pounding the keys trying to hear the sounds

Beethoven’s music • Wrote 9 symphonies, 5 piano concertos, 16 string quartets, 30 piano sonatas, 10 sonatas for violin, 5 sonatas for cello, 1 opera, 2 masses & lots of chamber music • Sonata – a piece in several movements for small ensemble, soloist with accompaniment or solo keyboard • Wrote – Piano Sonata No. 8 (“Pathetique” Sonata), Piano Sonata No. 14 (“Moonlight” Sonata), Minuet in G, Symphony No. 5 (with the famous beginning – “Duh, duh, duh”)

Links for Beethoven’s music • Piano Sonata No. 8, 1 st movement (“Pathetique” Sonata) • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=z. Qebdk. Lv. D 00 • Piano Sonata No. 14 (“Moonlight” Sonata) • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=n. T 7_IZPHHb 0 • Minuet in G • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=z. SXRJwsp. GU 0 • Symphony No. 5, 1 st movement • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=4 T 3 D 5 Q 6 Eq 2 w&feature=related