THE CLASSICAL PERIOD 1750 1820 CP BACH JC

THE CLASSICAL PERIOD (1750 -1820) CP BACH & JC BACH Pioneers of pre-classical period (1730 -1770) shift to simplicity, clarity, and balance in musically style • most equate Classical Music title to anything non-pop / rock / jazz because of three greats are the most known & regarded • Three greats of this period are • MOZART, HAYDN, and BEETHOVEN • •

• • CLASSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Contrast & Mood Baroque has unity of mood but classical…… Great variety and contrast receive emphasis in a single piece Contrast may come in the movement or within a theme it’s self Contrast may come slowly or quickly Classical composer always impart …… logic and unity to the change

• CLASSICAL CHARACTERISTICS • Rhythm • Baroque rhythms are usually uniform from the beginning to end but classical…. • Can change suddenly or swiftly • Will have unexpected pauses & syncopations • Frequent changes from long to short notes

CLASSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Texture Most classical is basically HOMOPHONIC This reflects simplistic movement from composers • However texture is still as unpredictable as the mood and rhythm and will unexpectedly change • •

• CLASSICAL CHARACTERISTICS • Melody • Classical melodies are among the most tuneful and easy to remember • invention of THE HOOK • Even highly complex themes will have a popular or folk song basis • Some barrowed folk melodies • Most were original with pop sense in mind

• CLASSICAL CHARACTERISTICS • Melody • Classical melodies usually are made of 2 phrases • The first phrase ends in half cadence • The second phrase ends in a full cadence • This makes them sound balanced and symmetrical • Usually even numbered phrase too • This is unlike Baroque melodies that tend to be more elaborate

CLASSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Dynamics & the Piano Baroque favor terraced dynamics Classical favors gradual dynamics (Descresendo & Cresendo) • This desire leads to replacement of the Harpsichord with the Piano which can do this type of dynamic • Piano invented in 1700 but takes nearly 75 years for it to “catch on” • •

CLASSICAL CHARACTERISTICS The End of Basso Continuo This practice is gradually abandoned 2 reasons 1. more music written for amateurs who had not mastered art of improvising • 2. composers want more control and don’t trust the performer as much • • •

• THE CLASSICAL ORCHESTRA • A standard group of four sections evolved unlike Baroque which could vary • Sections • 1. STRINGS = 1 st violins, 2 nd violins, violas, cellos, double basses • 2. WOODWINDS = 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoon • 3. BRASS = 2 French horns, 2 trumpets • 4. PERCUSSIONS = 2 timpani

• THE CLASSICAL ORCHESTRA • TROMBONES sometimes used too but not standard • More musicians during this period • Composers took advantage in order to contrast tone colors more • Each section has a specific role but could have the melody passed throughout each

• THE CLASSICAL ORCHESTRA • Section roles • Strings • (melody and most important) • Woodwinds • (contrasting colors and solos) • Brass • (power and harmony filler) • Percussion • ( for rhythmic bite and emphasis) • *Youtube = Karajan orchestra

• • • The Classical Period and the World(1750 -1820) Violent political & Social upheaval The American & French Revolutions The rise of Democracy The decline of the aristocracy Musicians strongly affected by this Slow emancipation of the composer The decline of works for hire three masters examples-in timeline order

• • The Classical Period and the World(1750 -1820) Haydn Wealthy aristocrat hires Contract of employment as skilled servant (not unlike what a gardener would sign) Wore a uniform Composed music to order for court Warned to live cleanly

The Classical Period and the World(1750 -1820) MOZART Born just 24 years after Haydn Starts as court musician Cant bear being a servant Tries luck in Vienna as independent freelance musician • Has some minor freelance success • Dies in debt • • •

• The Classical Period and the World(1750 -1820) • BEETHOVEN • A few years after Mozart’s death is able to freelance in Vienna successfully • Success due to emerging Middle Class market for music

• The Classical Period and the World(1750 -1820) • THE Emerging MIDDLE CLASS • Hungry for aristocratic luxuries such as theater and music • Court concerts closed to public • Middle class would organize public concerts to hear same works • Middle Class wanted more…. . • Music lessons • Instruments • Printed music

• The Classical Period and the World(1750 -1820) • Emerging MIDDLE CLASS • Composers wrote pieces aimed at amateur musicians • Comic opera to appeal to broader (non aristocratic) audience • Popular & folk tunes as themes in major works (symphonies, ect. . ) • Three masters all wrote dance pieces for public balls in Vienna

The Classical Period and the World(1750 -1820) VIENNA The city had great love of music Demand for new works make it a good choice for the three masters • The three masters all born in other city’s • Eventually all are drawn to Vienna • At the time, 4 th largest city in Europe in 1800 with over 250, 000 people • •

• The Classical Period and the World(1750 -1820) • VIENNA • Haydn & Mozart were contemporary’s and friendly • Beethoven was a student of both • Aristocratic and royal courts spent winter’s in Vienna • Mixed orchestras of nobles, pro musicians, & wealthy middle class

The Classical Period and the World(1750 -1820) VIENNA Lots of outdoor informal concerts Specific pieces called Serenades written especially for this • Truly was the place to be at the time for the Arts • •