The Classical Period: A Time of Cultural Transition

1. January1750 Sun Mon Tues Wed Thur Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 12 11 6 7 8 9 10 19 18 13 14 15 16 17 26 25 20 21 22 23 24 27 28 29 30 31 Gott im Himmel! Today I am a classic composer Classic Period Begins Today Classic Period Begins Today

2. Classical clas-si-cal / ‘klas-i-kəl According to Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary: 1. of or relating to the ancient Greek and Roman world and esp. to its literature, art, architecture, or ideals 2. versed in the classics 3. of or relating to music of the late 18th and early 19th centuries characterized by an emphasis on simplicity, objectivity and proportion

3. Classical Social, political and economic conditions led many countries to abolish monarchies 1750 - 1820 Reason, tolerance, hope, knowledge and justice replaced power, repression, despair, ignorance, and political abuse

4. Classical Classicists believe in universal values which led to statements such as “When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another. . . “ 1750 - 1820 The freedoms and rights that we enjoy and take for granted today grew out of the convictions and beliefs of the late 1700’s. The dominance of any group or person by another was not tolerated. “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. . .

5. Classical “Thomas Jefferson may be considered the prototype of the classical man: intelligent and well educated, he was a linguist, scientist, mathematician, architect, musician and statesman.” 1750 - 1820

6. Classical 1750 Over a million people live in colonial America 1751 The Minuet becomes Europe’s fashionable dance 1752 Benjamin Franklin flies a kite during a thunderstorm to prove that lightning is electricity. 1756 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is born 1757 Whale oil street lamps, designed by Benjamin Franklin, are installed on a few streets in Philadelphia. 1757 First public concert in Philadelphia 1759 Händel dies 1761 Haydn is appointed Kapellmeister to Prince Paul Esterhazy 1762 Benjamin Franklin improves the harmonica turning it into a viable musical instrument 1762 Mozart (age 6) tours Europe as a musical prodigy 1764 Mozart (age 8) writes his first symphony 1766 British Parliament repeals the Stamp Act after American colonists stop buying British goods in protest against the taxes. 1770 Ludwig van Beethoven is born 1776 On July 4TH the Continental Congress approves the Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson. 1777 United States Congress adopts the American flag of thirteen alternating red and white stripes and thirteen white stars on a blue background. 1778 Beethoven is presented by his father as being a six year old prodigy. (He’s eight.) History

7. Classical 1783 The American Revolution officially ends when the United States and Britain sign the Treaty of Paris. 1789 George Washington becomes the first president of the United States. 1790 First musical competition in America 1791 The Bill of Rights becomes part of the United States Constitution. 1793 Eli Whitney invents his cotton gin. 1794 After more than a hundred years, white-powdered hair goes out of fashion for men. 1797 John Chapman, known as "Johnny Appleseed," begins planting apple seeds along the Ohio Valley. 1803 The United States more than doubles its size after buying over 820,000 square miles of land from the French government. It is known as the Louisiana Purchase,. 1804 Meriwether Lewis and William Clark begin their exploration of the vast Northwest territory, traveling from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean. 1808 The United States prohibits the importation of Africans for enslavement. 1809 Felix Mendelssohn is born 1813 Giuseppe Verdi and Richard Wagner are born 1814 Francis Scott Key writes poem, “Defense of Fort McHenry,” later set to music of “Anacreon in Heaven” to become U.S. National Anthem 1818 Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht is written (Silent Night) History

8. Classical Two Old People Eating Francisco de Goya 1746 - 1828 Classical artistic characteristics Art looks to ancient Greece and Rome for inspiration. Art

9. Classical Classical artistic characteristics Art looks to ancient Greece and Rome for inspiration. Art Death of Socrates, Jacques-Louis David 1748 - 1825

10. Classical Voltaire, Jean-Antoine Houdon 1741 - 1828 The images of Franklin on the fifty-cent piece, Jefferson on the nickel, and Washington on the quarter were all created by Jean-Antoine Houdon, making his art known to more Americans than any other. Unfortunately, most Americans don’t know who he is Art

11. Classical U.S. Capital Building, Washinton D.C., 1793 – 1830 Thornton-Latrobe-Bulfinch Architecture

12. Classical Architecture Monticello, Charlottesville VA 1768 - 1782 Thomas Jefferson

13. Classical Architecture The White House Washington, D.C. 1793 – 1801 James Hoban

14. Wolfgang Mozart 1756 - 1791 Classical Musical Characteristics of the Classic Era Form: Classicists found beauty in order and symmetry of design, and clearly organized their music. Music Although Mozart died young at age 35, he left behind an impressive body of work that includes Masses, Sonatas, Operas, Chamber music, Concertos and dance music. He was buried in a common grave before his second child was born.

15. Franz Joseph Haydn 1732 - 1809 Classical Musical Characteristics of the Classical Era Texture: Homophony became the predominant texture. Melodies were generally placed on the top line while the other lines were given less melodic interest. Music Haydn was the last composer to thrive under the patronage system. While working for the Esterhazy family, Haydn wrote over 100 symphonies, 52 piano sonatas, 13 operas and numerous other compositions.

16. Ludwig Van Beethoven 1770 - 1827 Classical Musical Characteristics of the Classical Era Timbre: Instrumental music dominated during the Classical period, and orchestral music was particularly important Music Beethoven bridged the late classic period with the early romantic. His celebrated deafness occurred late in his life and is reflected in his music as his later music takes on a more cerebral quality.

17. Classical Thomas Jefferson 1743 - 1826 Thomas Jefferson’s most famous piece of writing is arguably the Declaration of Independence. If the colonies had not been successful in separating themselves from England, this document alone would have been enough to put Jefferson to death for treason. Authors

18. Jane Austen 1775 - 1817 Classical Her novelsare highly prized not only for their light irony, humor, and depiction of contemporary English country life, but also for their underlying serious qualities. They include Pride and Prejudice, Love and Friendship, Lady Susan, and many others. Authors

19. Classical Jonathan Swift 1667 - 1745 Gulliver's Travels was published in 1726. Though it is often labeled a children's book, it is also a great satire of the times. It demonstrates Swift's desire to encourage people to read deeper and not take things for granted. Readers who paid attention could match all of Gulliver's tall tales with current events and long-term societal problems. Authors