Transcript Classical Period - Cleveden Secondary School

HIGHER
 Learn
about the Classical era.
 Listen
to some music from the classical
period.
 Discover
famous classical composers.
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This term refers to music composed during the
period 1750 to 1810 (approximately.)
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The Piano (Piano Forte) was invented to give
more dynamic contrasts, as it was able to play
both loud and soft, unlike the harpsichord.

The orchestra begins to grow. 2 Clarinets and 2
trumpets were also added to the early classical
orchestra.
Three main composers of the classical era:
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827)
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A less complicated texture than had been
evident in Baroque times (less Polyphonic)
More use of expression through Dynamics.
Greater Dynamic contrast were evident
An elegant character
Clear use of phrasing
Clear use of cadences
Changing themes and emotions within one piece of music
Harmony changes were slower, less frequent unlike Baroque
music which often changed chords 2 or 3 times per bar
The replacement of the Harpsichord with the Piano
Less use of Continuo
The use of Alberti Bass in Piano music
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In the classical period, many composer began to
write concertos for solo instruments only. (It was
less likely for a concerto grosso to be composed.)
Listen to Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.23 in A Major.
Tick three concepts that you can hear.
Alberti Bass
Harpsichord
Polyphonic
Ground Bass
Aria
Repetition
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A Cadenza is a solo passage at the end of a movement
which give the performer the chance to show off. In
classical era many of these cadenza’s were improvised.
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The Cadenza ends with a long Trill to signal to the rest of
the orchestra its time to play again.
Listen to the Cadenza from Mozart's Piano Concerto No.23
(start at 9mins)
Listen and try to identify the following:
Chromatic Scale
Broken Diminished Chord
Broken Chords
Dominant 7th Arpeggio
Arpeggios
Major – Minor Tonality
Cadenza begins 8’27
Long trill signals end of cadenza passage to orchestra.
Chromatic Scale before a perfect cadence.
E Major 7th arpeggio
 Watch Mozart’s “Theme and Variation” on Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
Write down as many concepts as you can…
A Symphony is a large work for orchestra, usually in
four movements. In the classical period the
movements were normally fast, slow, minuet and trio,
fast.
Listen to the Fourth Movement Finale- vivace from
Haydn's Symphony No. 101 in D Major
The movement is in Rondo Form
This means that it follows the structure ABACADA
The A section constantly returns between each new
section.
Listen for the A section returning after each new
section.
The A section is only 8 bars in length. Followed
by the B section which extends over 20 bars and
has a more open feel.
 The two section are repeated before an Episode
(in D minor) links the A section into the new C
section of the movement in D Major
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An Episode is a passage of music linking two
musical themes, such as in Rondo Form
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Concerto- A work for solo instrument and orchestra.
Cadenza- A passage of music which allows soloists to display
their technical ability in singing or playing an instrument.
Broken Chord- In a broken chord, the notes of a chord are
played separately.
Arpeggio- Notes of a chord played one after the other.
Theme and Variation- The structure of a piece where the
melody is heard (the theme), then returns several times with
variations.
Contrary Motion- Two parts which move in opposite
directions, eg as one part ascends the other part descends.
Alberti Bass- Broken chords played by the left hand outlining
harmonies whilst the right hand plays the melody.
Symphony- A large work for orchestra, usually in four movements.
Rondo- A form where the first section (A) keeps returning, in
between different sections – B, C etc.
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What dates does the classical period refer
to?
Name two famous classical composers.
What is a Cadenza?
Explain the Structure of Rondo Form?
Complete the following sentence.
A/An
is a passage of music which
links two musical ideas/sections together.
Chamber Music is music written for a small
instrumental ensemble with one player to a part.
A String Quartet was one of the most popular
chamber groups. In the classical period this was made
up of two violins, a viola and a cello.
A string quartet is most commonly in four movements;
1. Fast
2. Slow
3.Minuet and Trio
4.Fast
Listen to the Haydn’s String Quartet Op.76 No.3 “Emperor”
 Sonata
form describes the structure of the
first movement of many sonatas,
symphonies, concertos and often overtures.
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falls into three sections: exposition,
development and recapitulation.
 The
exposition introduces two contrasting
themes in related keys. These themes are
known as the subjects.
 The
first movement of this symphony is Sonata
Form. This symphony was completed in 1808.
 The
first Subject theme starts with two
dramatic fortissimo phrases. Following the
first four bars, Beethoven uses imitations and
sequences to expand the theme.
 This
second subject is in E flat major, the
relative major, and it is more lyrical and
features the four-note motif in the string
accompaniment.
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Chamber Music-Music written for a small instrumental
ensemble with one player to a part.
String Quartet-A chamber music ensemble consisting of
first and second violins, viola, and cello. The string quartet
is one of the most prominent chamber ensembles in
classical music.
Sonata Form- Sonata form is sometimes known as first
movement form. This term is used to describe the
structure of the first movement of many sonatas,
symphonies and often overtures. It falls into three
sections: exposition, development and recapitulation. The
exposition introduces two contrasting themes in related
keys.
Subject- The main theme in a composition, the main
themes in sonata form, or the main theme on which a
fugue is based.
Fill in the missing words.
A
is a sacred choral work. It most
commonly has 5 sections. These include;
Kyrie,
,
, Santus &
Benedictus and agnus dei. You can also find
a/an
and Chorus in this work.
Fill in the missing words:
 A/An
is a secular drama set to
music, with soloists, acting and orchestral
accompaniment. A solo song from an opera is
called an/a
. A group of
people singing is known as a
 The
aria features a Coloratura. This is a
style of singing which is high, florid, vocal
singing involving scales, runs and ornaments.
Watch The Queen of the Night’s Aria from
Mozart’s The Magic Flute
A
Sonata is a work for solo piano, or a solo
instrument accompanied by piano, in three
or four movements. (E.g. Flute Sonata =
Flute + Piano)
Listen to Beethoven’s Piano Sonata no.14 which is sometimes
referred to as the “Moonlight Sonata” (1801)
Try to write down as many concepts as you can hear.
What is rhythmic feature of this 1st movement?
Opera- A drama set to music, with soloists,
chorus acting and orchestral accompaniment.
 Aria- A song in an opera or oratorio with
orchestral accompaniment.
 Chorus-Chorus – (i) A group of singers with
several people to each part.
(ii) The music written for these singers.
 Mass- Mass – A large sacred work containing very
specific movements – Kyrie, Gloria, Credo,
Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei.
 Coloratura- Term for high, florid, vocal singing
involving scales, runs and ornaments
 Sonata- a work for solo piano, or a solo
instrument accompanied by piano, in three or
four movements.
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A piano trio is a chamber music ensemble
comprising of three instruments; the most
common form comprises of a piano, violin and
cello.
 The form, which developed throughout the
classical period, initially had a 3 movement
structure. A fast movement, a slow movement
and a final fast movement. This is the same
overall structure as both a sonata and a concerto
of that period.
 Other combinations of instruments can be found,
but this is less common that the typical piano,
violin and cello grouping.
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Schubert:Piano Trio in E flat Major
A
German hymn tune.
 Written in four parts for soprano, contralto
(alto), tenor and bass
 Some of these chorales were used by Bach in
his oratorios and cantatas.
 Usually homophonic in texture.
Jesu, meine
Freude