Transcript The Classical Era (1750

The Classical Era
(1750-1820)
• The Enlightenment:
– Reason & philosophy > social & religious establishment
– Middle class > Aristocracy
• Wars with the purpose of revolution
– French Revolution
• Napoleon becomes Emperor by involvement, not
birthright.
• Turning away from the elaborate, & extravagant
Classical Music
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Simpler, lighter and clearer than Baroque
Emphasis on grace, elegance and beauty
Orchestra grows in size and instrumentation
Concentration on new homophonic forms:
– Symphony, Concerto, String Quartet, Sonata
Functional Harmony
• Two main elements:
– TONIC (I) Acts like a resting place, feels like ‘home base’
– DOMINANT (V) Wants to pull back to the tonic. Feels full
of tension and unease.
Sonata Form
• The Classical Era’s most popular form
• Used in Symphonies, Concertos, String
Quartets, Sonatas.
– When used, Sonata form is almost always
seen in the first movement and in a moderate
to quick tempo.
Sonata Form
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Introduction
Exposition – first appearance of themes
Development – themes are developed
Recapitulation – Exposition is recapped
Coda – Short ending
Sonata Form
• Exposition – two themes are introduced:
– Theme A (in the tonic key)
– Theme B (in the dominant key)
– The Exposition is played twice
• Development
– One or both of the themes are developed
– No set or typical length
• Recapitulation
– Restatement of the Exposition (no repeat)
– Both themes played in the tonic
Optional Elements
• Coda – Literally translating to ‘tail’, a brief
passage at the end of the work serving as
a finale.
• Cadenza – Usually found in concertos or
sonatas, an improvised unaccompanied
solo.
Franz Joseph Haydn
(1732-1809)
• Early musical training at age 6 as a
choirboy, harpsichordist and violinist
• Age 17, began freelancing career
– Worked as teacher, accompanist and street
musician
– Self-taught on composition
• Successful compositions brought fame and
notoriety.
• 1761: Kapellmeister to the Esterhazy family
– Composer, performer, conductor, etc.
Franz Joseph Haydn
(1732-1809)
• Popular and influential
– Close friend to Mozart
– Beethoven traveled to study with him
• Developed genres of Symphony and String
Quartet
– As a composer helped elevate both to higher
musical statuses
• Quirky composer, light and sarcastic wit
– Surprise Symphony
– Farewell Symphony