Download Classical Period Notes

General Music Cycle 7
Mr. Hamilton
Period 3A
The Classical Period (1750 – 1830)
The characteristics of music from the classical period are charm, delicacy, and gracefulness.
Melodies generally are short and tuneful. Beneath this seeming simplicity there are often deeper
feelings; however, these feelings are usually understated. A single section of a classical work can
have contrasting moods, and dynamic changes including crescendo and decrescendo. Classical
composers wrote operas and concertos, as did the earlier baroque composers. They also
established some new musical forms, the SYMPHONY and the STRING QUARTET.
The orchestra of today developed during this period in musical history. Great composers of the
classical period include Josef Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Early works of Ludwig van
Beethoven are often considered to be classical in style. However, Beethoven is credited by most
musicians with ushering the next great period in musical history, the romantic period.
Characteristics of Baroque Music
Changes of mood within sections of a composition
Dynamic changes including crescendo and decrescendo
Short, tuneful melodies
Controlled feelings or emotions
Emphasis on unity and balance
Instrumentation
Symphony
String Quartet
Symphony Orchestra
(All of the instrumental families)
String Quartet
(2 violins, 1 viola, 1 cello)
Large concert hall
Smaller Room
Performance Space
Chamber Music – any composition meant to be performed in a smaller room/chamber.
Baroque Period Composers
Josef Haydn
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Ludwig van Beethoven
Sonata Form
Sonata form, also known as sonata-allegro form, is an organizational structure based on
contrasting musical ideas. It consists of three main sections - exposition, development, and
recapitulation - and sometimes includes an optional coda at the end.
1
Exposition
In the EXPOSITION, we find the introduction of the main musical themes. Often there will be two
different themes which will be played in two different keys (typically Tonic). This section will
generally be repeated. For this reason, we will hear each theme performed twice.
2
Development
During the DEVELOPMENT, the composer will transform the main musical themes. They will move
the themes through various keys but still make sure the themes are recognized. In the classical era,
the DEVELOPMENT is generally a much shorter section than the EXPOSITION.
3
Recapitulation
The RECAPITULATION is an repeat of the EXPOSITION. For this reason, the RECAPITULATION
and EXPOSITION are very similar. In the RECAPITULATION, we will hear both musical themes just
as in the EXPOSITION. The difference is that they will both be presented in the same key. This
gives the listener a sense of finality.
4
Coda
If present, the coda is an extension of the piece. During the coda we may hear themes from the
EXPOSITION which will conclude with a perfect cadence. The length of the coda will vary greatly
depending on the composer. Later in the romantic period, the CODA became a more prominent part
of the Sonata Form.
To better understand the Sonata Form, we will be listening to the first movement of Eine Kleine
Nachtmusik by W. A. Mozart (1756 – 1791). This piece is a serenade written by Mozart in 1787.
This piece is also an example of Chamber Music. The original instrumentation for the piece is two
violins, viola, cello and optional double bass. Without the double bass, this instrumentation makes up
the String Quartet.