Transcript Introduction to Music: Musical Forms

Introduction to Music:
Musical Eras
 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
 Orchestra
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