• THE CLASSICAL PERIOD (1750-1820)• CP BACH & JC BACH • Pioneers of pre-classical period (1730-1770)• shift to simplicity, clarity, and balance in

musically style• most equate Classical Music title to anything

non-pop / rock / jazz because of three greats are the most known & regarded

• Three greats of this period are • MOZART, HAYDN, and BEETHOVEN

• CLASSICAL CHARACTERISTICS• Contrast & Mood• Baroque has unity of mood but classical……• Great variety and contrast receive emphasis in

a single piece• Contrast may come in the movement or

within a theme it’s self• Contrast may come slowly or quickly• Classical composer always impart ……• logic and unity to the change

• CLASSICAL CHARACTERISTICS• Rhythm• Baroque rhythms are usually uniform from the

beginning to end but classical….• Can change suddenly or swiftly• Will have unexpected pauses & syncopations• Frequent changes from long to short notes

• CLASSICAL CHARACTERISTICS• Texture• Most classical is basically HOMOPHONIC • This reflects simplistic movement from

composers• However texture is still as unpredictable as

the mood and rhythm and will unexpectedly change

• CLASSICAL CHARACTERISTICS• Melody• Classical melodies are among the most tuneful

and easy to remember • invention of THE HOOK• Even highly complex themes will have a

popular or folk song basis• Some barrowed folk melodies• Most were original with pop sense in mind

• CLASSICAL CHARACTERISTICS• Melody• Classical melodies usually are made of 2

phrases • The first phrase ends in half cadence • The second phrase ends in a full cadence• This makes them sound balanced and

symmetrical• Usually even numbered phrase too • This is unlike Baroque melodies that tend to

be more elaborate

• CLASSICAL CHARACTERISTICS• Dynamics & the Piano• Baroque favor terraced dynamics • Classical favors gradual dynamics

(Descresendo & Cresendo)• This desire leads to replacement of the

Harpsichord with the Piano which can do this type of dynamic

• Piano invented in 1700 but takes nearly 75 years for it to “catch on”

• CLASSICAL CHARACTERISTICS• The End of Basso Continuo• This practice is gradually abandoned• 2 reasons • 1. more music written for amateurs who had

not mastered art of improvising • 2. composers want more control and don’t

trust the performer as much

• THE CLASSICAL ORCHESTRA• A standard group of four sections evolved

unlike Baroque which could vary• Sections

• 1. STRINGS = 1st violins, 2nd violins, violas, cellos, double basses

• 2. WOODWINDS = 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoon

• 3. BRASS = 2 French horns, 2 trumpets • 4. PERCUSSIONS = 2 timpani

• THE CLASSICAL ORCHESTRA

• TROMBONES sometimes used too but not standard

• More musicians during this period • Composers took advantage in order to

contrast tone colors more• Each section has a specific role but could

have the melody passed throughout each

• THE CLASSICAL ORCHESTRA• Section roles

• Strings • (melody and most important)

• Woodwinds• (contrasting colors and solos)

• Brass• (power and harmony filler)

• Percussion• ( for rhythmic bite and emphasis)

• *Youtube = Karajan orchestra

• The Classical Period and the World(1750-1820)• Violent political & Social upheaval• The American & French Revolutions• The rise of Democracy • The decline of the aristocracy• Musicians strongly affected by this• Slow emancipation of the composer• The decline of works for hire • three masters examples-in timeline order

• The Classical Period and the World(1750-1820)• Haydn • Wealthy aristocrat hires • Contract of employment as skilled servant • (not unlike what a gardener would sign) • Wore a uniform • Composed music to order for court • Warned to live cleanly

• The Classical Period and the World(1750-1820)• MOZART • Born just 24 years after Haydn• Starts as court musician• Cant bear being a servant• Tries luck in Vienna as independent freelance

musician • Has some minor freelance success• Dies in debt

• The Classical Period and the World(1750-1820)• BEETHOVEN

• A few years after Mozart’s death is able to freelance in Vienna successfully

• Success due to emerging Middle Class market for music

• The Classical Period and the World(1750-1820)• THE Emerging MIDDLE CLASS • Hungry for aristocratic luxuries such as theater

and music• Court concerts closed to public• Middle class would organize public concerts to

hear same works• Middle Class wanted more…..

• Music lessons • Instruments• Printed music

• The Classical Period and the World(1750-1820)• Emerging MIDDLE CLASS • Composers wrote pieces aimed at amateur

musicians • Comic opera to appeal to broader (non

aristocratic) audience• Popular & folk tunes as themes in major works

(symphonies, ect..)• Three masters all wrote dance pieces for public

balls in Vienna

• The Classical Period and the World(1750-1820)• VIENNA• The city had great love of music • Demand for new works make it a good choice

for the three masters• The three masters all born in other city’s• Eventually all are drawn to Vienna• At the time, 4th largest city in Europe in 1800

with over 250,000 people

• The Classical Period and the World(1750-1820)• VIENNA• Haydn & Mozart were contemporary’s and

friendly • Beethoven was a student of both• Aristocratic and royal courts spent winter’s in

Vienna• Mixed orchestras of nobles, pro musicians,&

wealthy middle class

• The Classical Period and the World(1750-1820)• VIENNA• Lots of outdoor informal concerts • Specific pieces called Serenades written

especially for this• Truly was the place to be at the time for the Arts