Unit 9: Introduction to Musical styles

G.F Handel Unit 9: Introduction to Musical styles W.A Mozart Baroque, Classical & Romantic Music G. Rossini

Baroque Period: c.1600-1750 • The word ‘Baroque’ was originally used to describe highly decorative and grand architecture. Musicians took up the word and began to use it to describe the musical style of the period • The Violin family began to take shape, as did the Orchestra – with the string family at the heart of it. By the end of this period all music was based on the major/minor key system • New styles and structures were introduced, notably the Opera, Oratorio, Overture, Suite and Concerto • The giant composers of this period were J.S Bach and G.F Handel • The most distinguishing feature of this period is the use of the Basso Continuo: Here the Bass line is played on instruments such as Cello, Double Bass or Bassoon while the continuo is played by the Harpsichord or Organ

Music for the royal fireworks: G.F Handel • This piece was written to celebrate an end to the war between France & England. King George II organised a giant firework display and asked Handel to compose a piece to accompany the display. • During the event 101 Cannons were fired, and the music began. Unfortunately the fireworks were a disappointment, a wooden building constructed for the event went up in flames and created a mass panic. Many people were trodden on and injured. Despite this Handel’s music was a huge success. • Originally this music was written for wind and percussion instruments due to the event being outdoors. The orchestra consisted of 24 Oboes, 12 Bassoons, double bassoon, 9 trumpets, 9 horns, 3 pairs of timpani and side drums. Later Handel reduced the number of instruments and also added some string parts. • The suite consists of 5 movements. Bouree, Siciliano, Allegro and Minuets I and II

Movement 1: bouree • A Bouree is a fast, light footed dance. • In this case the movement has been written for strings, oboes, and bassoons only. • The movement is in binary form. (Two clear sections, each repeated) The whole piece is repeated again, this time performed only by the strings. Time signature Anacrusis Key Signature Time signature Intervals Sequence Paired Quavers Dotted notes Major key Binary Form

Bouree: Section B Octave leap Chromatic Sequence Anacrusis Accidentals Grouped Quavers Ledger lines Trill Minor Key Modulation Major Key

Movement 2: Siciliano – la paix • A Siciliano is a flowing dance with a swaying rhythm, originating from Sicily • La Paix means Peace. It is thought the music represents the illumination of a figure of peace attended by Neptune (God of the Sea) and Mars (God of War) • In this movement Handel uses all his instruments except drums. Violins, trumpets and oboes play the melody. Occasionally joined by the horns Compound time Dotted rhythms Broken Chord Staccato legato Sequence Key signature Semiquaver

Allegro: la rejouissance • Allegro: An Italian tempo marking, meaning lively • This was written to represent the general rejoicing of the British people at the signing of the Peace treaty. • The first played by trumpets, drums and strings. Handel then directs that the melody is repeated another twice. The second time by the Horns and Bassoons without trumpets and the final time with all instruments together Anacrusis Broken Chords Rests Sequences Phrase Key Signature Time signature

Minuet I • A minuet is a Dance in 3/4 time • This Minuet is graceful and scored for only strings and woodwind • The movement is played twice Major Key Key signature Time signature Repetition Sequences Trills scale Dotted Notes

Minuet II • This minuet is much more sturdy than the last one, making it a fitting finale to the Suite • This minuet is played 3 times: The first by trumpets, woodwind, strings and kettle drums, the 2nd by horns, oboes, bassoons and kettle drums and finally by the whole ensemble including side drums. • Although the fireworks were a huge disaster, Handels music made up for the disappointment at that time. Tonality Structure Sequences Intervals

Classical period c. 1750-1810 • The term ‘classical’ is often used when people try to generalise music into 2 sections – classical and popular. However as musicians we specifically mean music composed between 1750 and 1810 • During this period artists preferred grace and beauty, perfection of form and design, clarity and simplicity, proportion and balance. This was reflected in the music. Composers used a rich variety of contrasting themes, rhythms, keys and dynamics with frequent changes of timbre and mood. • W.A Mozart and Joseph Haydn were the main composers, although Beethoven also became very influential towards the end of this period. • During this period the Orchestra grew significantly, the Classical Sonata was developed and ‘entertainment’ works became more common – particularly chamber music • The main types of Vocal music composed was the Mass and opera.

First movement fromEineKleineNachtmusikW.A Mozart • The title of this piece means ‘ a little night music’. The piece is also described as a serenade, which means ‘evening music’ • Eine Kleine Nachtmusik is scored for a small string orchestra and is believed to have been composed to be performed during a good meal. • Serenades were often meant for outdoor performances – possibly to be performed under someone’s window • The piece is in 4 movements. The first movement is in sonata form, which has 3 main sections, rounded off by a Coda

Sonata form ExpositionDevelopmentRecapitulationCoda First Theme Various keys First Theme Ending (home key) (not home key) (home key) Bridge Passage Bridge Passage (changing key) (Altered to lead to:) Second Theme Second Theme (different key) (home key)

Exposition: First theme • First theme (Part A) is played in Unison by the Whole Orchestra and is in the key of G major. • First theme (Part B) is played by the Violins with a chord accompaniment • First theme (Part C)

Exposition: Bridge Passage • Notice the range of dynamic contrasts and modulations as we progress through this short section Dynamics Dotted rhythms Syncopation Ties Slurs Tremolo Trill Modulation

Exposition: Second Theme • Notice we are now in a new key! • Part A • Part B Slurs Ties Staccato Legato Repetition Ornaments: Trills Triplets Canon

Exposition: Coda • The Coda rounds off this section and effectively end the Exposition section

Development section • In this section, we hear all the themes introduced in the exposition. This time they are repeated in a variety of different keys, with some ‘surprising modulations. • There is a short ‘link’ section which carries us back to our original key of G major in the Recapitulation.

Romantic PERIOD: C. 1810-1910 • The Renaissance period saw an era where composers moved away from the strict rules of form and structure in a bid to show more intense and powerful emotions. • Harmonies were much fuller, more use of discords and chromatic notes and adventurous modulations • The piano was improved dramatically, and the orchestra was also extended significantly giving the composers a far wider range of pitch, volume and timbre. • The romantic composers produced a wide variety of works ranging from small, solo works to huge orchestral works requiring an enormous number of musicians. • The main composers of the time were: Wagner, Mahler, Tchaikovsky and R. Strauss • Nationalism, opera, Lied and Symphonic Poems were popular types of works.

Overture to William TellG. Rossini • William Tell was a 14th century Swiss hero in a time when Switzerland was ruled by Austria. William Tell refused to bow to the Austrian governor. As punishment William was made to shoot with a bow and arrow an apple placed on a young boys head. Thankfully, William sliced the apple and did not harm the boy. • The governor, a man called Gessler, realised that William had a 2nd bow. When asked what this was for, William replied ‘ It would split your heart if the boy had been harmed’. Instead of releasing William, Gessler ordered him to be taken to a dungeon on the far side of Lake Lucerne, but a violent storm helped William escape • William Tell did eventually shoot Gessler in the heart and then encouraged the Swiss to revolt against the Austrians. • It was a German dramatist ‘ Schiller’ wrote a play on the story, which Rossini used as a stimulus for his Opera William Tell Monument Altdorf, Switzerland

Overture - introduction • An overture is a piece played by the orchestra before the curtain rises. It uses themes from the main opera. • In this case the music is divided into four sections: Unfortunately, Rossini did not include the ‘apple’ incident. • The piece begins with 5 cellos, accompanied by other cellos, double basses and kettle drums paint a picture of a sunrise over the Alps near Lake Lucerne. Theme A and B represent this: Theme B

Section 2: Alpine Storm • Rustling strings suggest the rising wind and the first spatters of rain are represented by the woodwind • The storm breaks furiously, represented by the Trombones and the Bass Drum imitating thunder. • With a rumble of strings and kettle drums the storm fades into the distance.

Section 3: Shepherds on the mountain • Rossini uses the clear tone of the flute to represent the blue sky after the storm. The coranglais imitates a cow herd playing a Swiss melody on the alpine horn • A decorated flute melody suggests bird song, hovering and fluttering, while the triangle represents the peaceful but sad sound of the cow bells.

Section 4: Revolution • The peace is shattered by a sudden fanfare on trumpets and horns entering in canon • This is followed by an exciting rhythmic gallop, describing the overthrow of the Austrian invaders.

Unit 9: Introduction to Musical styles