The Classical Era A study guide

1. The Classical EraA study guide 3 Classical Composers Listening Summary Check Form Terminology Check Genre check Exam Topics Summary

2. About this Study Guide… This study guide of Classical culture and music In the Classical Era does NOT replace or attempt to outline Kamien Chapters 1 and 2. Rather, it provides the big picture, and Kamien adds information details to this presentation. You are responsible to know what 18thC life and society are like, and how music fits into that culture.

3. Joseph Haydn • pronounced “Hi-den,” NOT “Hay-den” • lived most of life comfortably as a highly paid musical servant in patronage to the Esterhazys (You must understand patronage.) • wrote serenades & divertimentos (entertainment music), masses, sonatas, concertos, string quartets, symphonies (104!), more; he’s probably best known for symphonies. • developed the orchestra • much more use of woodwinds • standardized the instrumentation (instruments and number of each in a typical orchestra) • developed the symphony • longer works • more development ideas & procedures

4. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart • pronounced “Mot-sart,” NOT “Mo-zart” • child prodigy: • pianist performing in public by age 4; astounding virtuosity by age 6 • composer writing serious and “world class” music by age 8 • adulthood: • patronage: • lived when patronage was waning • aristocracy could no longer afford it • Austria was at war • rebelled against idea of being a “musical servant” • several bad experiences; Mozart separated himself from patrons • may not have managed personal finances wellwrote serenades & divertimentos, operas, masses, sonatas, concertos, symphonies (41), more. Probably best known for operas and symphonies. • made fundamental changes to opera; fixed problems

5. Ludwig van Beethoven • Beethoven views music as much more important to human existence than mere entertainment! • made his living by: • selling compositions to publishers • concertizing as a pianist • Beethoven NEVER has a patron; patronage is gone. Besides, Beethoven considers himself equal to, not the servant of, any noble! • virtuoso pianist--World’s best! • dazzling technique and power • genius improviser

6. Ludwig van Beethoven • composer • composed by evolving and revising musical ideas and compositions • kept notebooks of themes and ideas • B’s manuscripts, unlike Mozart’s, are a MESS—cluttered with cross-outs, arrows, re-writes, etc. • Much of B’s music was composed in deafness (total by age 29!) He could only hear the music in his head. • works are larger, longer, more complex • wrote sonatas (esp. piano), concertos, string quartets, symphonies (9!), serenades & divertimentos, masses, more. Probably best known for symphonies, piano sonatas, string quartets. much music for piano (wh/ is being improved) • Beethoven wrote notes that were too high or low for current pianos, then told manufacturers to build instruments that included them. …and they did!) • TRANSITION composer: ClassicismRomanticism: • B’s middle and late composition periods and styles clearly point the way to the coming Romanticism. • composed for himself and future, NOT for publishers’ demands or middle class market

7. Classical Listening Summary Check Mozart, Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, Mvt 1(Sonata form) Haydn, Symphony No. 94 in G Major, Mvt 2(Theme & Variations) Mozart, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Mvt 3(Minuet & trio) Beethoven, String Quartet in C Minor, Op. 18, No 4, Mvt 4 (Rondo) Mozart, Don Giovanni Beethoven, Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Mvt 1

8. Form Terminology Check Subject and episodes Coda ABACABA Trio Theme 2 A’’’’ Exposition Solo section(s) Only 1 theme or melody Development Melodic idea; highly contrasting idea; return to first idea Sonata Theme and variations Minuet and trio Rondo Ritornello Fugue AABB ABA

9. Match Genres with their descriptions Cantata Chorale Concerto Fugue Opera Oratorio Suite Symphony Polyphonic composition based on one theme, a subject Collection of dance-inspired movements 4 highly contrasting movements for orchestra that exploit its expanded range, timbre, and dynamics. Movement 1 is always set in sonata form. Multi-movement work for chorus, vocal soloists, orchestra, organ, most sacred ones are based on a familiar chorale Large-scale work combines visual, vocal & instrumental music, and literature Large-scale work for chorus, orchestra, narrator, usually based on Old Testament story A hymn, important in Lutheran worship service Multi-movement instrumental music that features two performing groups—soloist(s) and accompanying orchestra

10. Classical Era Exam Topics • Culture/society and the Classical music style • 3 composers and how they fit into the culture • Forms (structure) Sonata theme & variations minuet & trio rondo • Listening: • Recognition of the pieces • Perception of formal elements • Perception of development procedures • Perception of elements that balance unity and contrast • Comprehensive genre check