Classical Music

1750-1800

Context

• American Revolution• French Revolution• Enlightenment– Voltaire, Hume, Kant

• Germany and Austria were the centers of musical activity

• Patronage of German courts promoted the work of prolific composers, specifically Mozart and Haydn

Musical Developments

• Stressed perfection of form• Utilized lyricism-melodic clarity and beauty• Musical instruments continued to be refined– Harpsichord developed into the fortepiano, which

developed into the piano– Development of the piano yielded more dynamic

variety and lyric expression– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6Vm-ipvo-E

Sonata-Allegro Form• Presents two or more musical themes in a three-part structure• Exposition

– States the themes• Development

– Elaborates the themes• Recapitulation

– Restates the themes• A short introduction sometimes precedes the exposition• The Coda was sometimes utilized as an independent section-

provided a conclusion to the piece• Sonata-Allegro form followed predictable harmonic development

Exposition

• Primary key section contains– Principal or Primary Theme-establishes home key– Transition from Primary Theme and Related key

section• Related key section contains– Secondary or Subordinate Theme-often on the

dominant (5th scale degree) or relative minor– Closing section-confirms the new key

Development

• Most free-form of the three sections• Based on thematic material from the

Exposition• Destabilizes the harmonic movement• Varies in length and dramatic content• Concludes on the dominant of the Primary key

area• Leads to the Recapitulation

Recapitulation

• Returns to the material in the Exposition• Secondary theme usually stays in the home

key rather than changing• Sometimes abbreviated version of Exposition• Sometimes includes a Coda to extend the

ending

Franz Josef Haydn

• Born in Austria• Primarily self-taught• Known for his talent as a violinist and composer• In 1761, entered the service of Prince Esterhazy and

continued to work for him for 28 years– Composed and directed all music for the court– Wrote a great deal of music-over 100 symphonies, and 83

string quartets• Symphony no. 101 “Clock Symphony”• Symphony no. 94 “Surprise Symphony”

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart• 1756-1791• Born in Salzburg• Lived and died in Vienna• Father was Leopold, a well-known musician

– Recognized young Mozart’s talent and promoted concerts all over Europe for Wolfgang and his sister Nannerl

• Was inspired by his travels– Composed based on the tastes of the country he was in

• Enjoyed moments of success, but often overindulged and spent his money as it came in

• Court musician in Salzburg• Worked for Emperor Joseph II in Vienna• Died before completing his Requiem

Mozart’s Instrumental Works

• Composed wide variety of musical forms– Symphonies, concertos, secular vocal music, Masses,

piano sonatas and concertos, chamber music• Dedicated 6 string quartets to Haydn, who was a

strong influence on his compositional style• Clarity and beauty of melodic content was important• Eine Kleine Nachtmusik• Laudate Dominum• A Musical Joke

Mozart’s Operas• Wrote 22 Operas• Apollo et Hyacinth—wrote at age 11• Most were in the Italian tradition

– Seria– Buffa– Collaborated with Da Ponte (librettist)

• Marriage of Figaro• Cosi fan Tutte• Don Giovanni

• Commissioned by Imperial German Theater– Abduction from the Seraglio

• Marriage of Figaro– Features “pants role” of Cherubino

• Don Giovanni– Based on legend of Don Juan– Classified as a buffa, but combines drama and supernatural elements

• Cosi Fan Tutte• The Magic Flute

– Characters include Taomino, Pamina, Sarastro, Papageno (bird-like man)