Music History Classical Period 1750 – 1825 AD. 1. Opera splits into two categories: a. Tragic Opera -also called opera seria -usually told a very sad

Music HistoryMusic History

Classical PeriodClassical Period1750 – 1825 AD1750 – 1825 AD

1. Opera splits into two categories:a. Tragic Opera

-also called opera seria-usually told a very sad story

b. Comic Opera-also called opera buffa

-usually told a funny story-Mozart made this style very popular

Classical ---1750 – 1835 AD


F. Classical --- 1750 - 1825 AD

1. Opera splits into two categories:


Classical --- 1750 - 1825 AD

New instrumental musical styles:

a. Symphony Orchestra

-invented during the Classical Period

-the Symphony Orchestra evolved from theConcerto Grosso of the Baroque period

-uses the same form as the Concerto Grosso(fast slow fast), but there is a fourth movementadded after the slow movement. It is in 3 beats permeasure:

FastSlow3 beats per measureFast


• The Classical SymphonyThe Classical Symphonyhas 4 has 4 sectionssections or movements or movements

Classical --- 1750 - 1825 AD


a. Chamber Music

-music for a small ensemble and audience-music for a small ensemble and audience (an ensemble is a group of musicians)(an ensemble is a group of musicians)

-usually consisted of two to eight different instruments

-examples: String Quartet, Piano Trio


Music HistoryMusic HistoryClassical --- 1750 - 1825 AD


Chamber Music (continued)


Important Composers:

a. a. Franz Joseph HaydnFranz Joseph Haydn

-From Vienna, Austria (the new center of musicalactivity)

-very poor as a child, he taught himself to write music

-experimented with every new musical style

-most famous for writing Symphony Orchestras (104)and String Quartets (chamber music).

-nicknamed the Father of the Symphony-nicknamed the Father of the Symphony

- Two famous pieces by Haydn are the “Surprise - Two famous pieces by Haydn are the “Surprise Symphony” and “The Creation” Symphony” and “The Creation”


Important Composers (continued):

b. b. Wolfgang Amadeus MozartWolfgang Amadeus Mozart

- - lived inlived in Austria (the cities of Salzburg and ViennaVienna)

- a child prodigy and a musical genius- a child prodigy and a musical genius

- composed in almost every musical style includingconcerto, string quartet, symphony, mass, andopera

- most famous for writing comic opera

- Two famous Mozart pieces include “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” and his opera “The Magic Flute”


Important Composers (continued):

b. Ludwig van Beethovenb. Ludwig van Beethoven

- born and lived in Germany

- had a rough early life, which made him temperamental and mean later in life.

- a very hard worker, Beethoven spent months onevery composition.

- went deaf later in his life (due to severe tinnitus)

- most well-known for his symphonies

- bridged the Classical and Romantic periods- bridged the Classical and Romantic periods

- Two famous pieces include his piano piece “Fur - Two famous pieces include his piano piece “Fur Elise,” andElise,” and his 5his 5thth Symphony Symphony


Important Details

aa.. Simplicity is the important word of the Classical Period

b. The pianoforte was invented during this time and becomes the most important keyboard instrument

Documents

Music History Classical Period 1750 – 1825 AD. 1. Opera splits into two categories: a. Tragic Opera -also called opera seria -usually told a very sad