Introduction to Music: Musical Eras Instructor: Anthony Johnson Course: Music 100

Classical Period: The word Classical has strong connotations, conjuring up the art and philosophy of Ancient Greece and Rome along with their ideals of balance, proportion and disciplined expression. The late Baroque style was polyphonically complex and melodically ornate. The composers of the early Classical period changed direction, writing music that was much simpler in texture. It is in some ways ironic that two of J.S. Bach’s children, Carl Philipp Emanuel (C.P.E.) and Johann Christian (J.C.), were among the leaders of this new artistic movement. Homophony--music in which melody and accompaniment are distinct--dominated the Classical style, and new forms of composition were developed to accommodate the transformation. Sonata form is by far the most important of these forms, and one that continued to evolve throughout the Classical period. Although Baroque composers also wrote pieces called sonatas, the Classical sonata was quite different. The essence of the Classical sonata is conflict. A highly simplified example of such a conflict might be between two themes of contrasting character. This contrast would be intensified during the course of the sonata, then finally resolved.

Classical Period Cont. One of the most important developments of the Classical period is the growth of the public concert. Although the aristocracy would continue to play a significant role in musical life, it was now possible for composers to survive without being the employee of one person or family. This also meant that concerts were no longer limited to palace drawing rooms. Composers started organizing concerts featuring their own music, and often attracted large audiences. The increasing popularity of the public concert had a strong impact on the growth of the orchestra. Although chamber music and solo works were played in the home or other intimate settings, orchestral concerts seemed to be naturally designed for big public spaces. As a result, symphonic music (including opera and oratorio) became more extroverted in character. Composers gradually expanded the size of the orchestra to accommodate this expanded musical vision.

Elements of Classical Period: People of the Classical period believed in reason, moving away from custom. They attacked the privileges of the aristocracy. The four great composers of the Classical Period were Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert. The latter two made the transition to the succeeding Romantic period. Mood There is a much greater variety and contrast in mood, with lots of fluctuation. This is contrasted with Baroque pieces, which convey a single mood according to the "Doctrine of Affection”. Rhythm There is now an enormous flexibility of rhythm. Classical pieces contain a wealth of rhythmic patterns, which make use of syncopations, or stresses of the upbeat, changes in note values etc. In a Baroque piece, few patterns are reiterated throughout. In Classical pieces, there is constant rhythmical change. Texture Most Late Baroque music is polyphonic. Classical music moves back towards homophonic textures consisting of melody + accompaniment.

Elements of Classical Period Cont: Melody In contrast the relatively asymmetrical and elaborate melodies of Baroque music, classical era melodies are generally balanced and symmetrical, and often have a question-answer relationship in the cadences. Dynamics There is a widespread use of dynamics. Many crescendos and decrescendos, due to the invention of the piano (pianoforte), are used. The music is not restricted to the terraced dynamics typifying that of the Baroque era. Harmony The basso continuo, and the figured bass is abandoned in the Classical era, as there were many amateur musicians who could not improvise from the figured bass. Another reason for this was that composers wanted more control over their work. Major-minor tonality provides the structural framework for all musical forms and genres.

The Classical Orchestra/Instruments In Baroque music, the orchestra changes from piece to piece. In the Classical period, there is a standard group of instruments constituting the orchestra: Strings The Strings form the most important group (and still are the foundation of the modern orchestra). The first violins carry main melody. The lower strings play accompaniment.  Woodwind The purpose of the Woodwind section is to add contrasting tone colours to the accompaniment and to provide occasional melodic solos. Brass & Percussion The Brass give power to the music and fill out the harmonies. Timpani give rhythmic bite and emphasis.

Forms Classical pieces consist of several movements that contrast each other in character and in tempo. Forms carried over from the Baroque era include the Concerto, Opera and Symphony. The new emerging forms in the Classical era are the String Quartet (four movements - Fast; Slow; Dance-like; Fast), the Sonata (four movements - Fast; Slow; Dance-like; Fast). Various forms employed in the classical period include: Binary (A | B), and Ternary (A | B | A) There was also the Minuet (A | Trio B | Minuet A), The Rondo form was also employed (A | B | A | C | A, etc.) The Minuet and Trio (A | B | A), where A – Minuet, B – Trio. Theme and Variation form (A | A | A2 | A3 | etc… ) is basically the theme followed by variations The most important new form of the Classical period was sonata form. It can be found in solo form, chamber music, concertos, and symphonies Symphony One of the great contributions to the classical era is the symphony. The classical symphony lasts between 20 and 45 minutes, consisting usually of four movements: 1st movement : Sonata form 2nd movement : Slow. May use sonata, ternary or theme-and-variation form. 3rd movement : Dance-like. Minuet and Trio form. 4th movement : Brilliant and heroic. May use sonata, rondo or sonata-rondo form.

Forms Cont: Concerto The Concerto is a three-movement work for instrumental soloist and orchestra. The first movement is always in a lively, brisk tempo. A cadenza often appears near the end of the first movement, during which the orchestra is silent and the soloist is given an opportunity to demonstrate technical ability. The second movement is generally slow, and any form may be used. the third movement is contrasted from the second and usually quite fast, usually employing rondo form. Various forms employed in the classical period include: Binary (A | B), and Ternary (A | B | A) There was also the Minuet (A | Trio B | Minuet A), The Rondo form was also employed (A | B | A | C | A, etc.) The Minuet and Trio (A | B | A), where A – Minuet, B – Trio. Theme and Variation form (A | A | A2 | A3 | etc… ) is basically the theme followed by variations The most important new form of the Classical period was sonata form. It can be found in solo form, chamber music, concertos, and symphonies

Forms Cont: Symphony One of the great contributions to the classical era is the symphony. The classical symphony lasts between 20 and 45 minutes, consisting usually of four movements: 1st movement : Sonata form 2nd movement : Slow. May use sonata, ternary or theme-and-variation form. 3rd movement : Dance-like. Minuet and Trio form. 4th movement : Brilliant and heroic. May use sonata, rondo or sonata-rondo form. The new emerging forms in the Classical era are the String Quartet (four movements - Fast; Slow; Dance-like; Fast), the Sonata (four movements - Fast; Slow; Dance-like; Fast).

Questions & Discussion 1-One of the most important developments of the Classical period? public concerts 2-Who were the four great composers of the Classical Period? Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert 3-One of the great contributions to the classical era? The symphony 4-A three-movement work for instrumental soloist and orchestra? The Concerto 5-What is the essence of the most important form, The Sonata , of the classical period? Musical Conflict