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Classic Period 1750-1820 • Classicism in the Arts o People grew tired of complexity in Music, Literature, Art, and Architecture and sought to be more like ancient Greece – less complex o Music shifted away from the polyphony of the Baroque o Lightness and clarity was desired Melody became supreme Accompaniment supported melody and moved together rhythmically - homophony o Given that the focus was on a single melody, dynamics and phrasing became important o Instrumental music gained importance Orchestra became larger (35) Harpsichord replaced by the fortepiano Sonata form overtook fugue as most important form • Patronage System o Musicians, particularly composers, relied on the wealthy class (royalty) for employment o Kings, dukes, counts, etc. had great influence over the style of music being written. The music did not belong to the composer, it belonged to the person who paid for it. • Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) o Born in Rohrau, Austria o Training Parents noticed his talent in music, but could not read music themselves. At the age of 6 he was apprenticed to Johann Matthias Frankh, choirmaster in Hainburg, to receive formal training. He never returned to live with his parents. o He worked for several royal families until 1761, when he was offered a position with the Esterhazy family by Prince Paul Anton. The Esterhazy family had several estates (palaces) and Haydn traveled with the family when they changed locations Prince Paul, and later Prince Nikolaus I, required constant compositions, so Haydn produced a flood of music, helped by access to his own orchestra. Because he wrote so much music, yet was isolated from other composers, he was forced to be inventive. o Musical Style Father of the Symphony Haydn liked to develop short themes (motifs) His music developed the idea of sonata form Music was known for its humor (dynamics, false endings) o Character Haydn was an honest and good man His music was well liked by the public He and his music were appreciated by many of his contemporaries, such as Mozart and Beethoven • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) o Born in Salzburg, Austria o His father, Leopold Mozart, was deputy court composer for the Archbishop of Salzburg o Wolfgang was a music prodigy He watched his sister’s piano (clavier) and violin lessons and began learning both instruments at the age of 4 He began composing music at the age of 5 • First sonata at the age of 6 • First symphony at the age of 8 • First opera at the age of 12 Traveled and performed for European royalty Became a court musician in Salzburg, Austria at the age of 17 but was disappointed in the opportunities there, so he traveled Europe in search of a better position He settled in Vienna, Austria in 1781 and won fame as a composer, but was poor due to his lifestyle, an immature jokester who loved to party While in Vienna he composed some of his most famous symphonies, concertos, and operas He died of rheumatic fever before completing his final composition, Requiem, which was finished by Franz Xavier Sussmayr so that Mozart’s wife, Contanze, could collect the commission money to pay off debts o Style and Influence Mozart embodies the idea of Classic style • Clear melody, supportive accompaniment • Simple texture • Balanced form Wrote over 700 pieces of music in every genre: symphony, opera, solo concerto, chamber music, piano sonata, sacred music, light entertainment Many composers of the Romantic Era, particularly Beethoven, were greatly influenced by Mozart’s music