1750-1820

Life in the Classical PeriodThe word ‘Classical’ came from people

at this time wanting to copy the ancient GreeksOrder and reason

Wanted to make art and music all look and sound the same.This means that things are less personal.

The Classical StyleStyle Galant is music that sounded light and delicate.

Rococo Style is art that looked light and delicate.

Rococo Art

Characteristics of Classical MusicContrast of Mood- a single piece of music may show many different emotions

Classical melodies are Tuneful, which means that they are very simple and easy to remember.

Characteristics of Classical MusicPiano was invented to have better control

over dynamicsHammer on the strings could be hit lightly to

produce a light sound or hard to produce a loud sound

Plucking strings on the harpsichord couldn’t do this!

The Classical OrchestraThe Classical Orchestra

More players- closer to 60Now use brass, woodwind, and percussion all the

time.Each instrument family had a job

Strings, specifically the violin, was given the melody while the lower strings added harmony

The percussion was added to make the music more interesting

The brass were added to give the song power! (Brass instruments are loud)

The woodwinds were given melody also because they sounded so different from the strings.

Classical FormsMost of the new forms of this era have 4

movements1. Fast movement2. Slow movement3. Dance-related movement 4. Fast movement

The Emancipation of the Composer Patron vs. Public

If you had a patron, you were treated like a servant

If you just composed for the public, you were not guaranteed to earn money.

The Emancipation of the Composer

Middle Class wants concerts halls of their own

Composers write for public concert halls

Middle Class wants children to learn music

Composers write music for beginners

ViennaDuring the classical era, the most popular city for composers, musicians, and nobility was Vienna, Austria

ViennaMusic was an important part of noble life

You were expected to learn an instrument

A good orchestra was a symbol of wealth.

Having a composer work for you also a sign of wealth

ViennaVienna attracted the attention of composers

HaydnMozartBeethoven

All three men knew each other because they all moved to Vienna.

Sonata Form Sonata form is used in a single movement of music

that is organized into three sections1. Exposition- the main melody is introduced2. Development- the main melody is treated in new ways3. Recapitulation- the main melody returns

Exposition Development Recapitulation

Stability

Conflict

Most Conflict

Resolution

Listening: Symphony No. 40

by Mozart1st Movement

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvtoqE33iZg

Listening LogsLook Down from Les Miserables

I Am Not Dead Yet from Spamalot

Puttin’ On the Ritz from Young Frankenstein