Classical Period 1750-1820

1. Classical Period1750-1820 Order Symmetry Simplicity “Age of Reason”

2. Politically speaking . . . • French Revolution • American Revolution • Industrial Revolution

3. Classical Period 1750-1820 • Patronage System • Chamber music, i.e., string quartet • Viennese School: • Mozart • Hadyn • Beethoven • Schubert

4. Classical Forms • Absolute music— • Sonata • Chamber Music, including string quartet • Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello • Symphony • Concerto

5. The Classical Symphony • One of the principal instrumental forms of the era • New techniques – (from Mannheim) • Rocket themes (i.e., Eine kleine Nachtmusik) • Steamroller effects • Heart of orchestra – string section • Smaller than “Romantic” orchestra (See p.262)

6. Other musical effects • Louds/softs • Sudden accents • Dramatic pauses • Tremolo • Pizzicato • More DRAMA

7. Form of Symphony • Four movements (See p. 262-263) • I. Sonata-Allegro • II. Slow (different key) • III. Minuet/Trio OR Scherzo/Trio • IV. Sonata-Allegro or Rondo (ABACA) • OR • Fast—Slow—Moderate—Fast

8. Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 • In a minor key • Description on p. 263-265

9. Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)

10. Esterhazy Palace

12. Inside . . .

13. Haydn’s remarks about his boss: • “My Prince was always satisfied with my works. I not only had the encouragement of constant approval but as conductor of an orchestra I could make experiments, observe what produced an effect and what weakened it, and . . . Improve, alter, make additions, or omissions, and be as bold as I pleased.”

14. More on Haydn . . . • Influenced by Beethoven • Approx. 104 Symphonies • 68 String Quartets • Expanded size of orchestra (emphasis on brass, percussion and clarinets) • Church music (14 Masses) – “At the thought of God, my heart leaps for joy and I cannot help my music doing the same.”

15. Symphony No. 94--The Surprise Symphony • Movement I – Standard Sonata-Allegro • Movement II – p. 269 • Theme and 4 variations • Movement III – Minuet/Trio • Movement IV – Sonata-Allegro

16. Haydn’s Surprise SymphonySecond Movement (p. 269) • Theme with 4 variations • Folk-like theme • Loud “surprise” chord • Heard on 18th c. string, wind and percussion instruments

17. Ludwig van Beethoven(1770-1827)

18. Beethoven • Transitional figure • Nine symphonies • “Fifth” most famous • Most influential of all times! • “Beethoven belonged to the generation that felt the full impact of the French Revolution. He created the music of a heroic age and, in sounds never to be forgotten, proclaimed a faith in the power of people to shape their own destinies.” (p. 272)

19. Beethoven’s Music • Kept “Sketchbooks” • Expanded the forms . . . “burst form asunder” • Strong dynamic contrasts, explosive accents, longer movements • Introduced into 3rd movement: Scherzo/Trio • His music was “for a later time.” • Wrote 9 symphonies, concertos, sonatas, string quartets • Weakest genre: opera (only one Fidelio)

20. Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony • Most famous • Movement I: Sonata-Allegro form • Built on a 4-note motive • Other movements follow standard form: • Movement II: Slow • Movement III: Scherzo/Trio (his device) • Movement IV: Sonata-Allegro

21. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5First Movement Famous 4-note motive use and developed throughout entire movement

22. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5Another version Popularized in the movie “Saturday Night Fever”