Music of the Classical Period 1750 1820 Classical

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Music of the Classical Period (1750 -1820)

Music of the Classical Period (1750 -1820)

“Classical” Defined A “classic” is any supreme accomplishment of lasting appeal (for example a

“Classical” Defined A “classic” is any supreme accomplishment of lasting appeal (for example a movie classic or classic rock song) n “classical” music (lowercase “c”) usually refers to any music that is NOT rock , jazz, folk, or popular n “Classical” music (uppercase “C”) refers to music written between 1750 -1820, which exhibits some of the artistic ideas found in “Neoclassic” visual art and architecture n – In visual art and architecture, “Classical” Art refers to Greek and Roman antiquity

Classicial Historical Highlights n Age of Enlightenment; using reason to solve social problems n

Classicial Historical Highlights n Age of Enlightenment; using reason to solve social problems n Age of violent upheavals - French & American Revolutions, Napoleonic Wars n Political power shifts from noble courts and church to the newly empowered middle class – Composers move from high-class servants to freelance, self-employed artists

Classical Artistic Highlights n New emphasis on balance and clarity of structure – Neoclassic

Classical Artistic Highlights n New emphasis on balance and clarity of structure – Neoclassic Architecture and Painting • • firm lines & clear structure balance & symmetry moralistic subject matter Greek & Roman references n Arts meant to please and entertain rather than instruct: new emphasis on naturalness & pleasing variety – Rococo artists: Watteau; Fragonard

Upper Belvedere, Vienna 1721 -22

Upper Belvedere, Vienna 1721 -22

Temple of Love at Versailles, 1775

Temple of Love at Versailles, 1775

David, Mars disarmed by Venus, 1824

David, Mars disarmed by Venus, 1824

n. Fragonard –The Reader

n. Fragonard –The Reader

Classical Music Genres n Vocal Music Genres – Opera n Instrumental Music Genres –

Classical Music Genres n Vocal Music Genres – Opera n Instrumental Music Genres – Orchestral Music • Symphony • Concerto – Chamber Music • String Quartet • Serenade

Classical Musical Highlights New emphasis on pleasing variety – Highly flexible rhythms (i. e.

Classical Musical Highlights New emphasis on pleasing variety – Highly flexible rhythms (i. e. all different lengths of short and long notes) – More difference between musical ideas within a single movement or piece – Introduction of crescendo and diminuendo into varied dynamic changes n New emphasis on naturalness – Demand for simplicity and clarity in melody and harmony – Use of secular pop/folk “tunes” in art music – More melody & accompaniment (homophonic) textures – New emphasis on morality, common people, and everyday life in OPERA n Example: – W. A. Mozart’s Act 1, Scene 1 from Don Giovanni n

Opera n Sung theatrical work n Staged with costumes and sets n Example: WOLFGANG

Opera n Sung theatrical work n Staged with costumes and sets n Example: WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART Act 1, excerpt from Opening Scene from Don Giovanni

Classical Music Style Characteristics Timbre End of basso continuo; evolution of standard orchestra with

Classical Music Style Characteristics Timbre End of basso continuo; evolution of standard orchestra with all four “choirs”; strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion; transition from harpsichord to piano Rhythm Emphasis on flexibiliy and naturalness; unexpected pauses; syncopations; frequent changes from long to short note patterns Melody Tuneful, easy to remember; folk-like, often “borrowed”; balanced and symmetrical phrase lengths; tend to be rounded Form New emphasis on symmetrical structures and clear formal designs; new emphasis on rounding; new emphasis on multimovement instrumental works; widespread use of Sonata form Dynamic s Widespread use of gradual dynamic changes (I. e. crescendos & diminuendos); transition from harpsichord to piano Texture Basically HOMOPHONIC MELODY & ACCOMPANIMENT but flexible; sudden appearances of small bits of imitative polyphony Harmony Less dense; simpler and more stretched out harmonic progressions; gradual abandonment of basso continuo

Karlskirche, Vienna 1716 -33

Karlskirche, Vienna 1716 -33

Petite Trianon at Versailles, 1726 -68

Petite Trianon at Versailles, 1726 -68

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Ludwig Van Beethov en

Ludwig Van Beethov en