Classical Period 1750 1825 Classical Timeline Classical Period

Classical Period 1750 -1825

Classical Timeline

Classical Period • Era is referred to as Balanced, Symmetrical, & Traditional with clarity • Piano is the most important keyboard instrument • 2 outstanding choral composers of the Classical Era: Mozart, Haydn • Singers and instrumentalists used continuous tonality as a special effect

6 Features of Baroque Music vs. Classical Period Music • 1. terraced dynamics------gradual changes in dynamics • 2. unity of mood---------mood may change throughout a movement • 3. continuous melody------melody will change throughout (theme 1 and 2 are different) • 4. continuous and driving rhythm----rhythms are not predictable or repetitive

6 Features of Baroque Music vs. Classical Period Music • 5. chords and the basso continuo----NO MORE BASSO CONTINUO • 6. polyphonic texture-----homophonic texture (polyphonic is reserved for development)

Chronology of the Classical Era • 1750 - Classical Era begins • 1751 - First volumes of “Poor Richard’s Almanac” are published by Benjamin Franklin • 1754 Samuel Johnson publishes a dictionary • 1756 - French and Indian Wars begin • 1756 - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is born in Salzburg on January 27 th

Chronology of the Classical Era • 1761 - Franz Joseph Haydn is hired by Prince Paul Esterhazy • 1763 - Excavations begin at Pompei • 1769 -The steam engine is patented by American James Watt • 1770 -Mozart receives the Order of the Golden Spur from the Pope • 1774 - The first Continental Congress assembles in Philadelphia

Chronology of the Classical Era • 1776 - The Declaration of Independence is signed • 1780 - Empress Maria Theresa of Austria dies and her son, Joseph II, becomes ruler • 1788 - American John Finch invents the steamboat • 1789 - George Washington becomes the first president of the United States

Chronology of the Classical Era • 1791 - Mozart dies on December 5 th • 1798 - Haydn writes “The Creation” and “The Imperial Mass” • 1803 - The Louisiana Purchase • 1804 - Napoleon is crowned Emperor of France • 1804 - Lewis & Clark expedition of the western United States

Chronology of the Classical Era • 1815 - The metronome is invented • 1819 - Florida is purchased from Spain

Happening in America during the Classical Era • Francis Hopkinson was born in Philadelphia in 1737 and wrote the first America Secular Song, “My Days Have Been So Wondrous Free” • William Billings was born in 1746 • Benjamin Franklin invented the glass harmonica • George Mueller, who came to America in 1784, was the first major Moravian composer of sacred music

Happenings in America during the Classical Era • Francis Hopkinson was considered an outstanding American composer and harpsichordist. He also signed the Declaration of Independence • Moravians believed that all hymns should be translated into a Native American language

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart • Born in 1756 • Was 1 of 7 children (all died within 3 weeks of birth except him and his sister, Maria Anna) • He was the only son in his family who lived • Father was director for Archbishop of Schrattenbach • Started playing piano when he was 3

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart • He was considered a child genius • Age 14 he received the award of the “Golden Spur” from the pope • Was concertized with his sister Maria Anna (nicknamed Nannerl) • He married Maria Constanze Weber • They had 6 children together

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart • Spent a third of his life touring Europe • “Don Giovanni” and “The Magic Flute” were two of Mozart’s most important operas • “The Requiem” was Mozart’s unfinished composition when he died • His student Sussmayr • Mozart died in the year 1791

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart • • • Famous Compositions include: “Cosi fan tutte” “Don Giovanni” “La clemenze di Tito” “Requiem” “The Magic Flute”

Franz Joseph Haydn

Franz Joseph Haydn • Born in 1732 in Austria • Haydn’s father was a wheelwright • At 8 Haydn became a choirboy at the Cathedral of St. Stephen’s • Younger brother Michael sang in choir with Haydn • Had 0 children with wife Maria

Franz Joseph Haydn • Haydn was employed by Prince Paul Esterhazy • 1762 Prince Nicholas Esterhazy ascends to the throne and is a huge supporter of Haydn’s music • Esterhazy family lived most of the year in Eisenstadt, Germany (their country place)

Franz Joseph Haydn • The two most famous Oratorios by Handel are: “The Creation” “The Seasons” • Haydn’s nickname is “Father of the Symphony” • Haydn died at the age of 77

Franz Joseph Haydn • • • Famous Compositions “The Creation” “Harmoniemesse” “Heiligmesse” “Nelsonmesse” (Lord Nelson Mass) “The Seasons” “Paukenmesse”