Classical Instrumental and Chamber Music

1. Classical
Instrumental and
Chamber Music

2. Piano
Grand piano,
1781, France)

3. Fortepiano, 1805

4. Creation of the Pianoforte
1709 – Bartolomeo Christophori modified the harpsichord and
created the pianoforte.
Watch segments 1 and 2.
http://digital.films.com.ezproxy.vccs.edu:2048/PortalViewVideo.
aspx?xtid=6682&psid=0&sid=0&State=&title=The%20Piano&IsS
earch=N&parentSeriesID=#

5. Classical Chamber Music
• Duos, trios,
quintets,
serenades,
divertimentos, and
ensembles for up
to ten performers.
• The string quartet
– the most
important chamber
music genre. A string quartet.
From left to right:
violin 1, violin 2, cello, viola

6. The String Quartet
I. Allegro (in sonata-allegro form)
II. Slow, lyrical movement, often in A-B-A or theme and
variations form.
III. A moderate dance in minuet and trio form.
IV. A fast movement in sonata-allegro or rondo form.
Please listen to this composition with the score.
F. J. Haydn, “Emperor” Quartet (1797)
http://content.thespco.org/music/compositions/emperor-
quartet-franz-joseph-haydn/
http://javanese.imslp.info/files/imglnks/usimg/4/4b/IMSL
P28079-PMLP57211-Op76No3.pdf

7. The Classical Concerto
I. Fast movement in Sonata Allegro form: opens with an
orchestral exposition and then the soloists plays
one more exposition = double exposition.
II. Slow and lyrical, featuring soloist in songlike melody.
III. Finale: Allegro molto or Presto in rondo form.
Please listen to this composition with the score.
L. Beethoven, Violin Concerto, op. 61 (1805)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSSozIBozxA
or
http://content.thespco.org/music/compositions/violin-concerto-
ludwig-van-beethoven/
http://imslp.org/wiki/Violin_Concerto_in_D_major,_Op.61_(Beethove
n,_Ludwig_van)

8. The Classical Sonata
One or two instruments.
Three or four contrasting movements, followed the basic
cycle described earlier (quartets, symphony, concerto.)
Please listen to this composition with the score.
L. Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 1, in F Minor
http://magnatune.com/artists/albums/sforster-beethovenone/
http://petrucci.mus.auth.gr/imglnks/usimg/d/d1/IMSLP90564-
PMLP01446-
Beethoven__Lv__Piano_Sonata_No.1__Op.2_No.1__Moscheles.
pdf

9. Ludwig van Beethoven
(1770 – 1827)
• A crucial figure in the transition
between the Classical and
Romantic eras.
• Displayed musical talents at an
early age.
• Studied with Haydn.
• One of the Viennese Classicists.
• Was almost totally deaf by the
last decade of his life, gave up
performing and conducting and
continued to compose.

10. Biography
• Beethoven’s first music teacher was his father.
• Had to support his family at an early age.
• Moved to Vienna in 1792.
• Studied with Haydn.
• At the age of 26, Beethoven began to loose
hearing.
• Earned income from publication of his works and
from public performances.

11. Important Compositions
• For Soloists, Choir, and Orchestra
• Mass in C Major, Missa Solemnis" in D, Cantatas
• For Symphony Orchestra
• 9 Symphonies, Overtures – “Coriolan”, “Egmont”
• Concerti
• 5 Piano Concerti, Violin Concerto, Triple Concerto for Violin,
Cello, and Piano
• Works for Piano
• 32 Piano Sonatas; Variations; Songs
• Various Ensembles
• 16 String Quartets, 10 Sonatas for Violin and Piano, 5
Sonatas for Cello and Piano, various Trios, Quintets
• Operas
• Opera “Fidelio”

12. Video Assignment
Please watch the following movie and take notes. You will be
asked to reflect on the composer’s life and musical legacy in one
of the quizzes using these examples.
http://digital.films.com.ezproxy.vccs.edu:2048/PortalViewVideo.
aspx?xtid=30000&psid=0&sid=0&State=&title=Ludwig%20van%
20Beethoven&IsSearch=N&parentSeriesID=

13. Required Readings:
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_era_music
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/String_quartet
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concerto#Classical_concerto
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonata#The_sonata_in_the_Clas
sical_period
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beethoven