Classical Music 1750-1820

1. Classical Music1750-1820

2. What makes music Classical? • Dominance of the orchestra • Clear and logical shape • Balanced; symmetrical • Homophonic • Heroic themes • Element of surprise • Mythology is “in” again • Baroque improvisation and contrapuntal devices are “out”

3. If you went to a Classical concert, you might hearthese musical GENRES: Concerto = 3 movement orchestral piece for solo and tutti Symphony= 4 movement orchestral piece using all instruments String Quartet = 4 movements, 2 violins, viola and cello Sonata = 3-4 movements an instrumental piece for one or two instruments (solo plus sometimes piano)

4. 4 Movements of the Symphony (and String Quartets) • FAST -- Allegro • SLOW -- Adagio or Andante (“walking”) • DANCE FORM – ¾ time ( minuet or scherzo) • FAST – Allegro Classical audiences wanted predictable forms, to know what to expect

5. Sonata-Allegro Form • Refers to the form of just one movement, the first---at allegro tempo • Exposition(the “A”), introduces two themes, one in the tonic, one in dominant. The exposition is performed twice ( A A ) • Development(the “B”), fragments of the theme, dynamic tension • Recapitulation (the “A” again), restating the themes, this time both in the tonic • Coda, the “Big Bang” at the end A A B A Coda So what are tonic and dominant, again? Tonic= the 1st step The center tone of the piece Dominant = the 5th step For example, if the tonic is C, the dominant is G ---the building blocks of music

6. What about opera? Parts of an opera: • Overture—the instrumental opening • Aria—the solo song • Recitative—the sung narrative • Libretto—the text • Public opera houses flourish; opera is for the common man as well as for nobility (Volksoper vs Staatoper) • Public opera often is lighter, “comique” • Echoing rationalist sensibilities, action moves through conflicts and misunderstandings to an inevitable happy ending; each individual has the power to help create a “good”, noble world • Structure is symmetrical, alternating recitative and aria

7. Joseph Haydn1732-1809 • “Father” of both the symphony and string quartets • Wrote the first modern symphony in 1759; composed 104 symphonies in total • Also wrote string quartets, oratorios, cantatas • Prince Esterhazy (Hungarian) was main patron • Created chamber quartets to keep up with popularity of sheet music and playing at home • Incorporated element of surprise in most symphonies: Clock (101), Drum Roll (103) Surprise (94) • Affected by Sturm und Drang---urgency, strong emotions, sudden intense changes • Created 2 famous oratorios at end of life: The Seasons and Creation • At end of life, put under house arrest by Napoleon

8. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart1756-91 Child prodigy; tours Europe by age 6 From Austria (Catholic, monarchy); plays for royalty but later supports himself, finding his own patrons and customers Writes first opera at 13 Lives in Vienna, “Land of the piano” Is extremely fun-loving and irreverent Writes 41 symphonies, 20+ piano concertos, string quartets Invents string quintets, adding one more viola Wrote several operas: Idomeneo is first, serious opera based on Greek myth. Don Giovanni is both comic and serious. Magic Flute uses symbols of the free masons; made for the public opera house Wrote his own requiem (funeral mass) at end of life

9. Ludwig van Beethoven1770-1827 • Child prodigy, as well, but not quite as gifted as Mozart • Went to Vienna to study and compose • Never married but fell in love frequently • Cranky and surly; looses hearing by age 32 • Writes Heiligenstadt document to end his career • Fond of minor tones to fit his mood • Wrote 32 piano sonatas and 9 symphonies • Wrote one opera, Fidelio, suggesting political oppression, justice, freedom, loyalty in marriage • Famous symphonies: 3rd (Eroica), 5th (in C minor dadadada...), 6th (Pastoral), 9th (Chorale, “Ode to Joy”, 5 movements, based on a poem by Schiller)