2. Classical Characteristics:
*Also referred to as Age of
Enlightenment or Age of Reason.
*Aristocracy: noble members
supported the musicians
*Described as elegant, formal,
and restrained.
3. Classical Music Forms:
SONATA:
*came from the Latin word “sonare” which means
an extended instrumental for the piano or solo
instrument
*it has three movements
Allegro – fast movement
Adagio – slow movement
Rondo – featuring main theme which returns
several times between other themes.
4. Classical Music Forms:
*THREE MAIN SECTIONS OF THE SONATA
Exposition – themes are presented
Development – themes are treated in new ways
or are developed, or modulated to new keys.
Recapitulations – the themes return
5. Classical Music Forms:
CONCERTO:
*It is a sonata for a solo instrument and
orchestra; solo instrument can be a piano, violin,
trumpet or any instrument to show the virtuosity
of the performer.
*It is composed of three movements:
I - Fast II- Slow III-Fast
6. Classical Music Forms:
SYMPHONY:
*It is a sonata for orchestra
*It is regarded as the central form of orchestral
composition.
*Symphony is derived from “sinfonia”—any
piece of music for a group of instruments,
overtures and orchestral interludes in many of
the earliest operas were often designated as
sinfonias.
7. Classical Music Forms:
SYMPHONY:
*FOUR MOVEMENTS OF CLASSICAL SYMPHONY
I – Fast and lively – sonata allegro form in duple
meter
II – Slow – andante, theme and variations , rondo
form
III – Fast – minute dance style , in triple meter
IV – Brilliant or heroic fast – sonata form or rondo
form, usually in duple meter.
8. Classical Music Forms:
OPERA:
*Opera is a musical dramatic work in which actors
sing some or all of their parts; a union of music,
drama, and spectacle, with music normally playing a
dominant role.
*Two kinds of Opera:
Opera Seria- a serious opera similar to the opera inherited
from the Baroque period whose themes are Greek heroes,
god and goddesses.
Opera Buffa – a comic opera, full of fun, silly and not
serious.
11. Franz Joseph Haydn: (1732-1809)
An Austrian composer, recognized as a dominant force in the
development of musical style of the Classical era.
Known as the “Father of the Symphony Orchestra’ and “Father of the
String Quartet”.
At age 8, was accepted into choir school at St. Stephen’s Cathedral in
Vienna.
In 1755 was engaged briefly by Baron Karl Joseph Von Fornberg where
he wrote his string quartets.
Year 1759 he became music director of Count Ferdinand Maximilian
Von Morzin.
1761, most of his creative life was spent in the service of the Esterhazy
family, the richest and powerful of the Hungarian noble families,
writing music pieces for their needs, and desires.
12. Franz Joseph Haydn: (1732-1809)
His final works, mostly sacred music for his patron
culminated in two large oratorios, The Creation (1798)
and The Seasons (1801) reflect his love for nature.
Haydn helped transform the genre from little more than a
string divertissements to a type of chamber music in
which all parts play an equal role.
Haydn met the composer Mozart in 1781. Haydn
acknowledged Mozart’s superiority as a writer of opera
and Mozart admitted he learned much from Haydn’s
ability of composing instrumental music.
13. Haydn’s Works:
Symphony No.9 in G Major “Oxford ”
Symphony No. 100 in G major “Military”
Symphony No. 94 in G Major “Surprise”
String Quartet in D Minor, Op. 76 No. 2 “Quintet”
Sacred vocal music including 14 masses
Orchestra music including over 100 symphonies
Concertos for violin, cello, harpsichord and trumpet
Dramatic music, including 40 sonatas, folk song
arrangements
14.
15. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: (1756-1791)
Known as the “Greatest Musical Genius of All Time”.
A centrally known important Austrian composer of the Classical Era, and one of the
most inspired composers in the Western Musical tradition.
He was a child prodigy and was already composing music and playing the violin and
harpsichord at the age of six.
At age 13, he had written sonatas, concertos, symphonies, religious work and
operas. His vocal works consists merely of church music and operas.
In 1796 Mozart was appointed concert master to the Arch. of Salzburg, later the
same year at La Scala, Milan the chevalier of the Order of the Golden Spur by the
Pope.
He died in Vienna on December 5, 1791. His burial was attended by only his friends
and his grave was unmarked.
Mozart’s creative methods were extraordinary. He almost invariably thought out a
complete work before writing it down on paper.
16. Mozart’s Works:
Operas including the Indomeneo (1781) The
Marriage of Figaro (1786) Don Giovanni (1787)
The Magic Flute (1791)
Concertos including 27 for piano, 5 for violin,
concertos for clarinet, oboe, French horn, bassoon,
flute and harp, Ex.”Serenade in G major”, “Piano
Sonata No. 11 in A major”
Choral music including 18 masses, the Requiem K.
626 incomplete (1791) and the other liturgical
music.
Chamber music
17.
18. Ludwig Van Beethoven: (1770-1827)
German composer, born to a family of musicians
and studied music at an early age, his strict father
encouraged him to work hard, practicing the
piano and the violin.
He was a talented pianist and composer and was
recognized as the “Prince of All Composers”.
He is after described by musicians as a “great
straddling two styles” the Classical and the
Romantic.
In the middle of his life, he was almost totally
deaf and had yet to produce his profound works.
19. Ludwig van Beethoven’s Works
Symphony No. 5 in C minor
Symphony No. 9 in D minor “choral”
Piano Sonata no. 14 in C # major “Moonlight Sonata”
Orchestra music including 9 Symphonies
Concertos including 5 for piano, 1 for violin, and 1 triple
Concertos (piano, violin & cello)
12 piano sonatas
Opera “Fidelio” (1805)
Choral music, including “Missa Solemnis”
