General Music Cycle 7 Mr. Hamilton Period 3A

The Classical Period (1750 – 1830)

The characteristics of music from the classical period are charm, delicacy, and gracefulness. Melodies generally are short and tuneful. Beneath this seeming simplicity there are often deeper feelings; however, these feelings are usually understated. A single section of a classical work can have contrasting moods, and dynamic changes including crescendo and decrescendo. Classical composers wrote operas and concertos, as did the earlier baroque composers. They also established some new musical forms, the SYMPHONY and the STRING QUARTET.

The orchestra of today developed during this period in musical history. Great composers of the classical period include Josef Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Early works of Ludwig van Beethoven are often considered to be classical in style. However, Beethoven is credited by most musicians with ushering the next great period in musical history, the romantic period.

Characteristics of Baroque Music

Changes of mood within sections of a composition Dynamic changes including crescendo and decrescendo Short, tuneful melodies Controlled feelings or emotions Emphasis on unity and balance

Symphony String Quartet

Instrumentation Symphony Orchestra String Quartet (All of the instrumental families) (2 violins, 1 viola, 1 cello)

Performance Space Large concert hall Smaller Room

Chamber Music – any composition meant to be performed in a smaller room/chamber.

Baroque Period Composers

Josef Haydn Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Ludwig van Beethoven

Sonata Form

Sonata form, also known as sonata-allegro form, is an organizational structure based on contrasting musical ideas. It consists of three main sections - exposition, development, and recapitulation - and sometimes includes an optional coda at the end.

1 Exposition In the EXPOSITION, we find the introduction of the main musical themes. Often there will be two different themes which will be played in two different keys (typically Tonic). This section will generally be repeated. For this reason, we will hear each theme performed twice. 2 Development During the DEVELOPMENT, the composer will transform the main musical themes. They will move the themes through various keys but still make sure the themes are recognized. In the classical era, the DEVELOPMENT is generally a much shorter section than the EXPOSITION. 3 Recapitulation The RECAPITULATION is an repeat of the EXPOSITION. For this reason, the RECAPITULATION and EXPOSITION are very similar. In the RECAPITULATION, we will hear both musical themes just as in the EXPOSITION. The difference is that they will both be presented in the same key. This gives the listener a sense of finality. 4 Coda If present, the coda is an extension of the piece. During the coda we may hear themes from the EXPOSITION which will conclude with a perfect cadence. The length of the coda will vary greatly depending on the composer. Later in the romantic period, the CODA became a more prominent part of the Sonata Form.

To better understand the Sonata Form, we will be listening to the first movement of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik by W. A. Mozart (1756 – 1791). This piece is a serenade written by Mozart in 1787. This piece is also an example of Chamber Music. The original instrumentation for the piece is two violins, viola, cello and optional double bass. Without the double bass, this instrumentation makes up the String Quartet.