Music in the Classical Period

1. Music in the Classical Period Franz Joseph Haydn & Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

2. General Characteristics ofClassical Music • It is meant to be easy on the ear. • Direct reaction to the complexity of Baroque music. • Balance, clarity, accessibility. • Melody with accompaniment (homophony). • Melodies are tuneful and catchy (2-4 measure phrases). • Harmony is simple, logical and clear (few dissonances). • No basso continuo (walking or Alberti Bass).

3. Three Main Qualities • Melody is most important part. • Tuneful and balanced. • Simple harmony. • Light accompaniment.

4. Classical Opera • Opera buffa – comic opera. • Simple music, amusing plot, real characters. • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUa3AN-_hM0&nohtml5=False • Performed in palace and public opera houses. • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVbQNAfCeyY&nohtml5=False • Reaction to problems with Baroque Opera. • Mythology/historical • Not real people or situations • Music too heavy and complex.

5. Opera Facts • Recitative is used – like speaking and singing combined • Arias – like songs • Orchestral overture introduces the characters, setting etc. • Some singers have low voices, some have high voices. • Story is broken down into Acts and Scenes • No speaking, only singing • Main characters, minor characters, and the chorus.

6. Voices in Opera • Tenor – high male voice • Baritone - low/medium male voice • Bass – low male voice • Mezzo – low female voice • Soprano – high female voice • Alto – lowest female voice Sopranos usually get sympathetic roles. (ie. Wives who are being cheated on) Mezzo Sopranos often play the villan – witches, etc. Alto parts were originally written for male voices as females were not allowed on stage. Tenors are generally likeable characters. Bartiones are usually fun loving or heros . And Bass singers usually play older roles, ie. The fathers.

7. Symphony • Most important instrumental genre. • Began as sinfonia (overture to opera). • Three movements (Fast, Slow, Fast) • Begins to look like the modern symphony.

8. Mannheim, Germany • Center of symphonic composition and performance. • Johann Stamitz, conductor • Expanded sinfonia to four movements • Mvt 1 – Fast and serious (sonata form) • Mvt 2 – Slow and lyrical (aria form) • Mvt 3 – Graceful and moderate (dance form) • Mvt 4 – Fast and lively (Rondo form) • Structure of the orchestra expanded • Full strings, woodwinds (flute/oboe, horn), trumpets and drums, later added bassoons and clarinets. • Mannheim Steamroller - Crescendo

9. Chamber Music • Music for the Middle Class to play at home. • String Quartet – Violin I & II, viola, cello • Ideal balance to match SATB voice types. • Followed the symphonic patterns. • Sonatas • Solo keyboard or keyboard + solo instrument. • 1775 – pianoforte replaces harpsichord. • Composers wrote and improvised from the keyboard (often performing their own music).

10. Mvt. 1 - Sonata Form Exposition – state the two themes (firs in tonic, second in dominant). Development – develop the themes by changing keys, etc. Recapitulation – replay the two themes, both in the tonic key. Coda – optional ending Used for the most serious musical ideas. Mvt. 2 – Aria Form Lyrical and song-like. ABA form Triple meter Contrasting keys with new material. Less serious than Sonata Form Strict Conventions and Forms

11. Mvt. 3 – Minuet and Trio Form Minuet – Dance in Binary form (AABB usually in ¾ time) Trio – Different music in binary form (CCDD) Return to original Minuet (AB) Makes for an overall ternary form (ABA). Mvt. 4 – Rondo form Simplest of all forms (most accessible). New music always returns to a main theme. ABACADA……. Forms (cont.)

12. Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) • Began musical career as choir boy in Vienna (learned to play harpsichord and violin). • 1761 – hired as assistant music director to Prince Esterhazy • 1762 – Palace Esterhaza built • 2 large music rooms and 2 opera theatres. • 1766 – promoted to Music Director

13. Haydn’s Musical Duties • As music director he was expected to write, direct or perform 2 operas and 2 concerts each week, extra concerts for important visitors, dinner music and chamber music for the Prince’s rooms. • As a result he wrote over 100 symphonies, 70 string quartets, 50+ keyboard sonatas, and numerous choral and solo voice pieces. • Last 12 symphonies written in London.

14. Haydn’s Music • Operas – Wrote many, but few are still performed today. • Symphonies – Wrote well over 100. • Expanded the size by emphasizing brass, clarinets and percussion. • Added crescendos and accents. • Father of the String Quartet • First to develop the genre • Masses • Oratorios – The Creation & The Seasons • Musical Jokes • Credited with inventing the false recapitulation • Surprise/Farewell Symphonies

15. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart1756-1791

16. Leopold Mozart • Mozart’s father was a performer, composer, author and music theorist. • Wrote one of the most important contributions to music theory. • Sacrificed his own career to further his son’s. • Domineering personality who took Mozart on tour at a young age.

17. The Child Prodigy • Age 4 – Learned to play harpsichord and violin. • Age 6 – wrote his first compositions and started touring (10yrs). • Age 10 – First Symphony • Age 14 – First Opera • Age 17 – Hired by Archbishop of Salzburg

18. Mozart’s Family • Mother died while he was very young. • Sister, Nanerl, also was musically gifted. • 1782 Married Constanze Weber

19. Mozart’s Early Music • Released by the Archbishop for disorderly conduct and began freelance composing. • Considered too young and overqualified for most jobs. • Moved to Vienna • 1782 – First major opera, The Abduction from the Seraglio • Wrote string quartets to emulate Haydn. • Made a living by performing his piano concertos.

20. Mozart’s Late Music • Losing fame and poorly managed money. • Late works are the most impressive. • Symphonies 37, 40, 41 • Operas • 1786 – Marriage of Figaro • 1787 – Don Giovanni • 1791 – Magic Flute (Die Zauberflote) • Requiem

21. Mozart’s Characteristics • Accessible and highly refined. • Instilled a sense of drama in all of his music. • Master of melody, tuneful and catchy. • Mastered all Classical genres. • Wrote more than 800 compositions in 35 years.