period
1750 to 1820, between Baroque and Romantic
influence?
enlightenment ideals - clarity, order, balance
focused on what forms and 3 e.g.
structured forms (e.g. symphony, sonata concerto)
how did the music shift?
ornate Baroque style to simplicity and elegance of classical
what grew even popular towards the classical transition?
public concerts, so music isn’t restricted to royalty/church
characteristics (6)
-homophonic texture
-balanced and symmetrical phrases (often 4 or 8 bars)
-clarity in structure
(sonatas, rondos, themes and variations)
-use of contrasting dynamics (crescendo, decrescendo)
-tuneful, singable melodies
-harmony became more diatonic (major/minor keys)
3 composers + e.g. works/titles
1) Joseph Haydn
“Father of Symphony and String Quartet”
2) Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
operas, symphonies, piano concertos
3) Ludwig Van Beethoven
transition to Romantic era, dramatic symphonies
5 key words with explaination
1) symphony
large orchestral work in usually 4 movement
2) concerto
solo instrument with orchestra
3) string quartet
2 violins, viola, cello
4) homophony
melody with chordal accompaniment
5) cadenza
soloist’s improvised passage in concerto
one family only has one instrument used sparingly, another only has one
5 families with 3 min instruments each
(as in, per every family list 3 instruments)
1) strings
violin, viola, cello, double bass
2) woodwinds
flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon
3) brass
horn, trumpet, trombones added later
4) percussion
timpani, used sparingly
5) keyboard
fortepiano, later developed into modern piano
what is chamber music
writen and played for small group of instruments, usually 2 to 9 players with each having their own part
meant to be played in small, intimate settings (e.g. rooms, salons, chambers)
does not need conductor and musicians perform call-and-response
chamber music characteristics (6)
1) small ensemble (e.g. string quartet, piano trio, wind quintet)
2) equal importance per instrument
3) balanced phrases and clear structures
4) intended for intimate performances, not grand public concerts
5) needs close listening and cooperation between players
6) more subtlety and detail than power and volume
