Music in the Classical Period

Franz Joseph Haydn&

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

General Characteristics ofClassical Music It is meant to be easy on the ear. Direct reaction to the complexity of Baroque

music. Balance, clarity, accessibility. Melody with accompaniment (homophony). Melodies are tuneful and catchy (2-4

measure phrases). Harmony is simple, logical and clear (few

dissonances). No basso continuo (walking or Alberti Bass).

Three Main Qualities Melody is most

important part. Tuneful and

balanced. Simple harmony. Light

accompaniment.

Classical Opera Opera buffa – comic

opera. Simple music, amusing

plot, real characters. Performed in palace and

public opera houses. Reaction to problems

with Baroque Opera. Mythology/historical Not real people or

situations Music too heavy and

complex.

Symphony Most important

instrumental genre. Began as sinfonia

(overture to opera). Three movements

(Fast, Slow, Fast) Begins to look like the

modern symphony.

Mannheim, Germany Center of symphonic composition and performance. Johann Stamitz, conductor Expanded sinfonia to four movements

Mvt 1 – Fast and serious (sonata form) Mvt 2 – Slow and lyrical (aria form) Mvt 3 – Graceful and moderate (dance form) Mvt 4 – Fast and lively (Rondo form)

Structure of the orchestra expanded Full strings, woodwinds (flute/oboe, horn),

trumpets and drums, later added bassoons and clarinets.

Mannheim Steamroller - Crescendo

Chamber Music Music for the Middle Class to play at

home. String Quartet – Violin I & II, viola, cello

Ideal balance to match SATB voice types. Followed the symphonic patterns.

Sonatas Solo keyboard or keyboard + solo instrument. 1775 – pianoforte replaces harpsichord. Composers wrote and improvised from the

keyboard (often performing their own music).

Strict Conventions and Forms Mvt. 1 - Sonata Form Exposition – state the

two themes (firs in tonic, second in dominant).

Development – develop the themes by changing keys, etc.

Recapitulation – replay the two themes, both in the tonic key.

Coda – optional ending Used for the most serious

musical ideas.

Mvt. 2 – Aria Form Lyrical and song-

like. ABA form

Triple meter Contrasting keys

with new material. Less serious than

Sonata Form

Forms (cont.) Mvt. 3 – Minuet and

Trio Form Minuet – Dance in

Binary form (AABB usually in ¾ time)

Trio – Different music in binary form (CCDD)

Return to original Minuet (AB)

Makes for an overall ternary form (ABA).

Mvt. 4 – Rondo form

Simplest of all forms (most accessible).

New music always returns to a main theme.

ABACADA…….

Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) Began musical career as

choir boy in Vienna (learned to play harpsichord and violin).

1761 – hired as assistant music director to Prince Esterhazy

1762 – Palace Esterhaza built 2 large music rooms

and 2 opera theatres. 1766 – promoted to

Music Director

Haydn’s Musical Duties As music director he was expected to

write, direct or perform 2 operas and 2 concerts each week, extra concerts for important visitors, dinner music and chamber music for the Prince’s rooms.

As a result he wrote over 100 symphonies, 70 string quartets, 50+ keyboard sonatas, and numerous choral and solo voice pieces.

Last 12 symphonies written in London.

Haydn’s Music Operas – Wrote many, but few are still performed

today. Symphonies – Wrote well over 100.

Expanded the size by emphasizing brass, clarinets and percussion.

Added crescendos and accents. Father of the String Quartet

First to develop the genre Masses Oratorios – The Creation & The Seasons Musical Jokes

Credited with inventing the false recapitulation Surprise/Farewell Symphonies

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart1756-1791

Leopold Mozart Mozart’s father was a

performer, composer, author and music theorist.

Wrote one of the most important contributions to music theory.

Sacrificed his own career to further his son’s.

Domineering personality who took Mozart on tour at a young age.

The Child Prodigy Age 4 – Learned to play

harpsichord and violin. Age 6 – wrote his first

compositions and started touring (10yrs).

Age 10 – First Symphony

Age 14 – First Opera Age 17 – Hired by

Archbishop of Salzburg

Mozart’s Family Mother died while

he was very young.

Sister, Nanerl, also was musically gifted.

1782 Married Constanze Weber

Mozart’s Early Music Released by the Archbishop for disorderly

conduct and began freelance composing. Considered too young and overqualified for

most jobs. Moved to Vienna 1782 – First major opera, The Abduction

from the Seraglio Wrote string quartets to emulate Haydn. Made a living by performing his piano

concertos.

Mozart’s Late Music Losing fame and poorly

managed money. Late works are the most

impressive. Symphonies 37, 40, 41 Operas

1786 – Marriage of Figaro

1787 – Don Giovanni 1791 – Magic Flute (Die

Zauberflote) Requiem

Mozart’s Characteristics Accessible and highly refined. Instilled a sense of drama in all of

his music. Master of melody, tuneful and

catchy. Mastered all Classical genres. Wrote more than 800 compositions

in 35 years.