Classical Era

1. Classical Era 1750-1830 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNZbvb8X0DQ

2. 1752 – Benjamin Franklin discovers electricity • 1776 – Declaration of Independence by American Colonies • 1789 – French Revolution begins • 1796 – U.S. Bill of Rights ratified • 1803 – Louisiana Purchase Historical Events

3. 1770 – Mozart writes his first string quartets • 1792 – Beethoven moves to Vienna • 1807 – Beethoven composes the 5th Symphony • 1815 – Metronome is invented Important Musical Events

4. Simpler and clarified style • Clearly defined forms • Most popular form was the contrast of two basic melodies, “Melody A” and “Melody B” Musical Style

5. The birth of the modern symphony, string quartets and piano sonatas were the results of this new style. Results

6. Strong emphasis on the importance of melody • Lyrical, singable, using regular four-measure phrases • Familiar folk melodies were used in classical music • Describe this melody: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZ9oI3Pzwoc Melody

7. Simple and constant rhythm patterns • Tempos are constant for entire sections and don’t slow til’ the end • Silence became part of the element of rhythm in Classical music. Rhythm

8. Key signatures firmly established by now • Tonal and simple • Different tonal centers were used for different musical themes Harmony

9. The Classical period was the first to organize the instruments of the orchestra into different groups: strings, woodwind, brasses and percussion. • Chamber music was instrumental music for small groups • Dynamic markings are first used to indicate how loud or soft the composer wanted the music Genres

10. Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) • Began music study at 7 yrs. Old in Vienna • Became a music director for Count Morzin in Bohemia in 1759 • Became assistant music director for Prince Paul Esterhazy in 1761 and remained so for 45 years. • Mozart became a good friend of Haydn • Describe his music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASB6hFUat4g Famous Composers

11. Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827) • Some historians claim Beethoven as a Romantic composer. I think he is a combination of late Classical and early Romantic • Childhood of poverty due to dad being an alcoholic and drinking away the family’s $ • In late 1790s began to lose hearing • By the early 1800s Beethoven was completely deaf Composers

12. His musical works include: • 9 Symphonies • 11 Overtures • 16 String Quartets • 30 Piano Sonatas • Numerous Chamber music pieces • Listen to and describe his music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kcOpyM9cBg Beethoven Continued

13. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) • At 3 yrs. Old began to play tunes on the harpsichord • 5yrs. Began to compose minuets for the harpsichord • At 6yrs. Old when on tour to play for royalty of Austria and Germany Composers

14. Mozart composed so much work that it is impossible to list here, but here are the genres for which he wrote: • Opera • Piano concerto and sonata • Symphony • String quartet and string quintet • Solo piano • Chamber music • Masses and other religious music • Dances Mozart’s Works