GENERAL CHRACTERISTICS OF CLASSIC MUSIC

GENERAL CHRACTERISTICSOF CLASSIC MUSIC

Simple but beautifulAge of ReasonVery Intellectual MusicSecular Music ThrivedImitation was not much usedObjectivelyEmotional RestraintsClear FormAdherence to Structural Principles

SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS

Compact and Folk-like MelodiesI IV V HarmonyForms were ClearcutUse of Sonata Form in many music formsModified use of Contrapuntal TechniquesSequence use continues and expandedPolythematic CompositionsHomophonic/Choral Style was used most oftenSymmetrical Phrase StructurePhrases are apt to be short and composed of melodic formulas of a few notes that reach frequent Caesuras and Cadences w/c are more defined melodicallyEmphasis on melodyOrnamentation continues but it is not an integral part of the styleBasso Continue is virtually abandonedMajor/Minor Tonalities continue with little change

Functional Harmony continuesSlow Harmonic RhythmPiano becomes more important instrumentOrchestra further developed and codified with standard scoringUse of Alberti BassVariety of Dynamics and greater indications in scoresRhytmic changes are limited( rarely tempo rubato)Repeated notes Reiteration of and emphasis on metric pulse is varied and somewhat lessenedOccasional Pauses and Rhythmic rest-points are commonMetric pulse is more likely to be lightly and quietly present(but not emphasized)

GREAT MUSICIANS OF THE CLASSICAL PERIODJOSEPH HAYDN(1732-1809)- Austrian composer, recognized as a dominant force in the development of the musical style of the Classical Era. -Father of the Symphony, his work was laid the groundwork for what was to become the Symphony. -Papa Haydn because he was so congenial & ready to help others.

2. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Austrian composer, one of the most brilliant and versatile composers ever worked in all musical genres of his era wrote inspired works of his genre.Produced an ordinary number of compositions, especially considering his short life.At the age of 35, he completed 41 symphonies , 27 piano symphonies, string quartets, piano sonatas, & numerous works for voice and other instruments.

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVENConsidered possibly the greatest Western Composer of all time. He wrote Symphonies, Conertos, Chamber Music, Sonatas, and vocal music. His best known composition is 9th SYMPHONY with its passionate chorus the ODE TO JOY. Beethoven began to lose his hearing in 1790s and was completely deaf by 1818.INSTRUMENTAL GENRESYMPHONY- MULTI-MOVEMENT WORK 1st Movement- fast usually a SONATA ALLEGRO2nd Movement- slow ABA Theme & variation3rd Movement- Fast(a rondo or sonata form)4thMovement- (Hydn dance) (Beethoven- Scherzo- a lively dance

INSTRUMENTAL GENRECONCERTO 3 Movement work (FAST SLOW - FAST) No dance movement Orchestra plays in tutti, the exposition Soloist and the Orchestra play in alternation at the end of the 1st movement

CADENZA musical acrobatics virtuosity either designed by composer for unity or by the player himself. RONDO- principle of contrast and returnTHEME AND VARIATION- Change tempo, dynamics, tonality, instrumentation & texture MUSICAL FORMSINSTRUMENTAL

SonataSymphonyChamber MusicShort Keyboard PiecesVOCAL

OperaAriaMassDEVELOPMENTSPolyphonic Structures were abandoned in favor of tuneful melodies and simple harmonyThe 18th century Sonata, derived from an earlier period because the basis of practically all intrumental music. The symphony is a sonata for orchestra. The concerto is a sonata for solo instrument with orchestra, the string quartet with other instruments a sonata for 4 stringed instrument the piano trio is a sonata for piano with other. Advent of the piano forte ASPECTS AFFECTING CLASSICAL MUSICCOSMOPOLITAN AGE- sought one international styleHUMANITARIAN AGE Social Reforms longing for universal brotherhood (e.g Beethovens Symphony No. 9 and Mozart MagicPOPULARIZATION AGE Rise of public concerts Amateur Works Beginning of Music journalism and periodicals First music histories writtenPROSAIC AGE Clarity good taste proportion and elegance music was to be an image of reality easy to understand listener should not be forced INVENTIONS(Scientific Achievements)DISCOVERIESOxygenHydrogenElectromagnetic inductionUltra-violet raysINVENTIONSSteam EnginesSpinning JennyCotton ginElectric MotorsGenerators

WORLD EVENTSThe Enlightenment (Age of Reason)Mannheim, SchoolFrench Indian Wars in America7 years war1760 Industrial Revolution begins1769 Watts steam engine patented1771 1st edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica1775 1783- American Revolution1775- Electric battery invented by Volta1776- American Declaration of Independence1787- French Revolution1787 Edict of Toleration (France)

1788- Steamboat invented by John Fitch1789- George Washington elected 1st Pres. of USA

1791 - American Bill of Rights 1796- First Vaccination1799- Great Revival of America1803- Louisiana Purchase1804- Napoleon crowned Emperor1812- War1819- 1st steamship cross the atlantic1821- electric motor & generator invented by Faraday

ARTISTS

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