220 likes | 939 Views
Music of the Classical Period. (1750-1820). “Classical” Defined. A “classic” is any supreme accomplishment of lasting appeal (for example a movie classic or classic rock song ) “classical” music (lowercase “c”) usually refers to any music that is NOT rock , jazz, folk, or popular
E N D
Music of the Classical Period (1750-1820)
“Classical” Defined • A “classic” is any supreme accomplishment of lasting appeal (for example a movie classic or classic rock song) • “classical” music (lowercase “c”) usually refers to any music that is NOT rock , jazz, folk, or popular • “Classical” music (uppercase “C”) refers to music written between 1750-1820, which exhibits some of the artistic ideas found in “Neoclassic” visual art and architecture • In visual art and architecture, “Classical” Art refers to Greek and Roman antiquity
Classicial Historical Highlights • Age of Enlightenment; using reason to solve social problems • Age of violent upheavals - French & American Revolutions, Napoleonic Wars • Political power shifts from noble courts and church to the newly empowered middle class • Composers move from high-class servants to free-lance, self-employed artists
Classical Artistic Highlights • New emphasis on balance and clarity of structure • Neoclassic Architecture and Painting • firm lines & clear structure • balance & symmetry • moralistic subject matter • Greek & Roman references • Arts meant to please and entertain rather than instruct: new emphasis on naturalness & pleasing variety • Rococo artists: Watteau; Fragonard
Fragonard • The Reader
Vocal Music Genres Opera Instrumental Music Genres Orchestral Music Symphony Concerto Chamber Music String Quartet Serenade Classical Music Genres
Classical Musical Highlights • New emphasis on pleasing variety • Highly flexible rhythms (i.e. all different lengths of short and long notes) • More difference between musical ideas within a single movement or piece • Introduction of crescendo and diminuendo into varied dynamic changes • New emphasis onnaturalness • Demand for simplicity and clarity in melody and harmony • Use of secular pop/folk “tunes” in art music • More melody & accompaniment (homophonic) textures • New emphasis on morality, common people, and everyday life in OPERA • Example: • W.A. Mozart’s Act 1, Scene 1from Don Giovanni
Opera • Sung theatrical work • Staged with costumes and sets • Example: WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART Act 1, excerpt from Opening Scenefrom Don Giovanni