Download Classical Music - Nutley Schools

Classical Music
1750-1800
Context
• American Revolution
• French Revolution
• Enlightenment
– Voltaire, Hume, Kant
• Germany and Austria were the centers of
musical activity
• Patronage of German courts promoted the
work of prolific composers, specifically Mozart
and Haydn
Musical Developments
• Stressed perfection of form
• Utilized lyricism-melodic clarity and beauty
• Musical instruments continued to be refined
– Harpsichord developed into the fortepiano, which
developed into the piano
– Development of the piano yielded more dynamic
variety and lyric expression
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6Vm-ipvo-E
Sonata-Allegro Form
• Presents two or more musical themes in a three-part structure
• Exposition
– States the themes
• Development
– Elaborates the themes
• Recapitulation
– Restates the themes
• A short introduction sometimes precedes the exposition
• The Coda was sometimes utilized as an independent sectionprovided a conclusion to the piece
• Sonata-Allegro form followed predictable harmonic development
Exposition
• Primary key section contains
– Principal or Primary Theme-establishes home key
– Transition from Primary Theme and Related key
section
• Related key section contains
– Secondary or Subordinate Theme-often on the
dominant (5th scale degree) or relative minor
– Closing section-confirms the new key
Development
• Most free-form of the three sections
• Based on thematic material from the
Exposition
• Destabilizes the harmonic movement
• Varies in length and dramatic content
• Concludes on the dominant of the Primary key
area
• Leads to the Recapitulation
Recapitulation
• Returns to the material in the Exposition
• Secondary theme usually stays in the home
key rather than changing
• Sometimes abbreviated version of Exposition
• Sometimes includes a Coda to extend the
ending
Franz Josef Haydn
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Born in Austria
Primarily self-taught
Known for his talent as a violinist and composer
In 1761, entered the service of Prince Esterhazy
and continued to work for him for 28 years
– Composed and directed all music for the court
– Wrote a great deal of music-over 100 symphonies,
and 83 string quartets
• Symphony no. 101 “Clock Symphony”
• Symphony no. 94 “Surprise Symphony”
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
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1756-1791
Born in Salzburg
Lived and died in Vienna
Father was Leopold, a well-known musician
– Recognized young Mozart’s talent and promoted concerts all over
Europe for Wolfgang and his sister Nannerl
• Was inspired by his travels
– Composed based on the tastes of the country he was in
• Enjoyed moments of success, but often overindulged and spent his
money as it came in
• Court musician in Salzburg
• Worked for Emperor Joseph II in Vienna
• Died before completing his Requiem
Mozart’s Instrumental Works
• Composed wide variety of musical forms
– Symphonies, concertos, secular vocal music, Masses,
piano sonatas and concertos, chamber music
• Dedicated 6 string quartets to Haydn, who was a
strong influence on his compositional style
• Clarity and beauty of melodic content was
important
• Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
• Laudate Dominum
• A Musical Joke
Mozart’s Operas
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Wrote 22 Operas
Apollo et Hyacinth—wrote at age 11
Most were in the Italian tradition
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Seria
Buffa
Collaborated with Da Ponte (librettist)
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Commissioned by Imperial German Theater
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Features “pants role” of Cherubino
Don Giovanni
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Abduction from the Seraglio
Marriage of Figaro
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Marriage of Figaro
Cosi fan Tutte
Don Giovanni
Based on legend of Don Juan
Classified as a buffa, but combines drama and supernatural elements
Cosi Fan Tutte
The Magic Flute
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Characters include Taomino, Pamina, Sarastro, Papageno (bird-like man)