Classical Period
Timeline
Seven years’ war -1756-1763
Louis XVI in France, 1774-1792
American Declaration of Independence, 1776
French Revolution, 1789
Napoleon: first French consul, 1799
Napoleonic Wars, 1803-1815
Goethe,
Faust,
1808 (like gouda but with a t)
Austen, Pride and Prejudice, 1813
The Classical Era (1750-1820)
Scientific advances changed worldview
o
Faith in the power of reason
o
Undermining of traditional authority social organization religious establishment
o
Age of Enlightenment
o
Rise of Middle-Class workers / social mobility
Visual Art
o
Moved away from ornate baroque style
o
Rococo Style
o
Favored light colors, curved lines, and graceful ornaments.
o
Later 18
th
century: another change in taste: from rococo to
Neoclassical style
o
Master Composers: Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven
Characteristics of Classical Music
Preclassical period
Transition from baroque style to classical period: 1730-1770
Term ‘classical’
Contrast of Mood
Contrasts both between and within movements
Flexibility of Rhythm
Multiple rhythmic patterns for variety
Texture
Mostly homophonic, but with frequent shifts
Melody
Tuneful, easy to remember
Composers borrowed popular tunes
(Mozart: borrowed ‘twinkle twinkle…’: 12 variations in C
Major)
Dynamics
Emotions expressed in shades of dynamics
Use of gradual dynamic changes
Related to development of the piano (soft/loud)
The used of gradual dynamic changes (crescendo, decrescendo) is one of the
characteristics of classical music.
Composers were not restricted to terraced dynamics.
Lead to the creation of the piano.
End of Basso Continuo
Gradually abandoned.
No longer used in the classical period
The Classical Orchestra
Orchestra size increased; standard group of 4 sections
o
Strings: first and second violins, violas, cellos, double bass
o
Woodwinds: Flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons (2 of each)
o
Brass: French horns, trumpets (2 of each)
o
Percussion: 2 timpani
Composers exploited individual tone colors
Each section had a special role
o
Strings most important with violins taking the melody
o
Woodwinds added contrasting tone
o
Horns and trumpets brought power to loud passages
o
Timpani used for rhythmic bite and emphasis
Classical Form
Instrumental works consist of several movements that contrast in tempo and character
o
Classical symphonies
o
String quartets
o
Classical sonatas
The movements might use different forms:
o
ABA
o
Theme and Variations
Movements often contrast themes vividly
By movement’s end, musical tensions are resolved
Composer, Patron, Public
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- Fall '17
- Robyn A James
- Music, Pride and Prejudice, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Symphony
