CLASSICAL ERA OF MUSICMrs. MaFritts

Characteristics of the Classical Era

2• Rhythm

3• Texture

4• Melody

5• Dynamics• And the Piano

6• The End of Basso

Continuo

1• Contrast of Mood

Contrast of MoodA Classical composition will fluctuate in mood.

• Mood in classical music may change gradually or suddenly, expressing conflicting surges of elation and depression.

• Not only there are contrasting themes within a movement, but there also may be striking contrasts even within a single theme.There is a third level

• Masters like Haydn and Beethoven were able to impart unity and logic to music of wide emotional range.

In Classical music, there is a flexibility of rhythm.

The classical style also includes unexpected pauses, syncopations, and frequent changes from long notes to shorter ones.

The change from one pattern of note lengths to another may be either sudden or gradual.

Rhythm

Classical music is basically homophonic.• Process However, texture is treated as flexibly as rhythm.

A work may begin homophonically with a melody and simple accompaniment but then change to a more complex polyphonic texture that features two simultaneous melodies or melodic fragments imitated among the various instruments.

Texture

Classical melodies are among the most tuneful and easy to remember.

Occasionally, composer simply borrowed popular tunes, but more often, they wrote original themes with a popular character.

Classical melodies often sound balanced and symmetrical because they are frequently made up of two phrases of the same length.

Melody

- crescendo (gradually getting louder)

- diminuendo ( gradually getting softer)

Not restricted to the terraced dynamics characteristic of Baroque music.

The Classical composers' interest in expressing shades of emotion led to the widespread use of gradual dynamic change. During the period, the desire for gradual dynamic change led to the replacement of the harpsichord by the piano. By varying the finger pressure on the keys, a pianist can play more loudly or softly. Although the piano was invented around 1700, it began to replace the harpsichord only around 1775.

Dynamics & the PianoPowerPoint 2007 Enhanced Version

The basso continuo was gradually abandoned during the classical period. One reason why the basso continuo became obsolete was that more and more music was written for amateurs, who could not master the difficult art of improvising from a figured bass. Also, classical composers wanted more control; they preferred to specify an accompaniment rather than trust the judgement of improvisers.

End of Basso Continuo

• 3 parts• Exposition, Development, Recapitulation• Watch following link for more info:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7iHwqAj3Ws

Sonata FormMajor classical form standardized by Mozart and Beethoven