Notes from Monday, March 17 class session:

 

 

Preparation For Mon. Mar 17:
1. Complete the online eWorkbook assessment Quiz #8 (Baroque Instrumental Music) in WebCT/Vista/Blackboard by 3PM Monday, March 17
(
click here for instructions on how to log onto WebCT).

2. Read textbook Chapter 6 (Classic)--pages 47-52 (Music Guides 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30)

3. Listen to "Classical Music Online" examples for Classic Instrumental Music.

4. Read Lecture Notes from Mar 12.

 

 

 

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LECTURE TOPIC: INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC OF THE CLASSIC ERA

(See Chapter 6 for details)

The following bold or bold/italic terms/works/composers were studied:

 

 

CLASSIC 4-MOVEMENT DESIGN

Movement 1: FAST (usually the "heaviest" of the four movements in dramatic weight and length)
- Centered in Tonic (I--home key)
- Sonata Form
[Exposition] [Development, Recapitulation]
- Large-scale tonal design = I-V-X-->[V7]-I

 Movement 2: SLOW (a lighter, sweeter contrasting movement to the first)
- Usually centered in sub-dominant (IV)
- No standard form here (only time for a short formal design such as ABA, Theme & Variations, Short Rondo [ABACA], or short sonata form)

 Movement 3: MODERATE [MINUET](an aristocratic dance in 3/4 meter)
- Minuet centered in tonic (I); the lighter "Trio" section is often a different key

- Minuet & Trio Form [Minuet (repeated)] ["Trio"] [Minuet (without repeats)]

 Movement 4
: VERY FAST ("Finale")
- Centered in tonic (I)
- Often in Rondo Form
[ABACABA]

 

CLASSIC GENRES

If this Classic 4-movement design is played by:

the Genre of the Work is a:

Orchestra

Symphony

Small string or wind group

Serenade

2 violins, viola, cello

String Quartet

Piano alone

Piano Sonata

Piano vs. orchestra

Piano Concerto

 

 

COMMON CLASSIC FORMS

Sonata Form (Sonata-Allegro Form):  Theme is stated, then a series of variations follow (varying one or more elements)
- Mozart's Symphony No. 40
, movement 1 (see Music Guide 25/Chapter 6)
- Beethoven's Symphony No. 5
, movement 1 (see Music Guide 32/Chapter 6)--this is a highly-experimental example of sonata form

Theme & Variation Form:  The "Theme" is stated, then a series of variations follow (varying one or more elements)
- Haydn's Symphony No. 94
, movement 2 (see Music Guide 22/Chapter 6)

Minuet & Trio Form:  Large "A B A" design  [Minuet--Trio--Minuet]--3/4 meter, moderate tempo, aristocratic dance
- Mozart's Eine kleine Nachtmusik
, movement 3 (see Music Guide 24/Chapter 6)--this work is a SERENADE

Rondo Form: [A B A C A] = "Rondo theme" [A] vs. contrasting "Episodes" [B and C]
- Beethoven's Piano Sonata in C minor
, Op. 13, movement 2 (see Music Guide 29/Chapter 6)

 

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HAYDN, MOZART and BEETHOVEN summaries and interrelationships: 

Haydn [Hungarian] 1732-1809
- Approx. 40 Sonatas, 68 String Quartets, 104 Symphonies, Masses, Oratorios, Songs,
a few dozen operas, 1 well-known trumpet concerto
- Especially known for contributions to quartet and symphony
; established 4-movement Classic design
- Late bloomer (wrote his first great works at approx. 50 years of age)
- Works from 1770s are more fiery, daring (reflect German Sturm und Drang mvt.--"Storm & Stress")
- When Nicholas Esterhazy died in 1790, Nicolas' son, Anton, disbanded the orchestra and gave Haydn a handsome pension.  Haydn immediately moved to Vienna where he was recognized as the greatest living composer of the day. 
-Haydn was invited to London for two lengthy trips (Jan 1791 to July 1792; and then Feb 1794 to Aug 1795--upon his return from the first trip, Beethoven became his student, but Haydn's second trip ended that tutelage).  In London he composed many new works including his last 12 symphonies (Nos. 93-104)

Mozart [Austrian] 1756-1791
- Approx. 29 Sonatas, 43 Concertos, 23 String Quartets, 50 Symphonies, Masses, Oratorios, Songs, Masses (include. Requiem), 14 operas
- Great virtuoso pianist
- Child prodigy (composed first work at 4 yrs. old; first complete opera at 9)
- Held the highest musical position in Salzburg at 14 yrs. old
- Perfected every genre known to him, but excelled especially at Concerto and Opera

- His father, Leopold was one of the greatest violinists of that time
- Mozart had an unbearable, self-centered patron (Colloredo/Archbishop of Salzburg)
- Wolfgang was eventually booted out of Salzburg for insubordination; moved to Vienna
- Met Haydn in Vienna--they were close friends until Mozart's death
- Haydn told Leopold that "your son is the greatest composer I know in person or by name"

- 25-year old Mozart mimicked Haydn's style perfectly

Beethoven [German] 1770-1827
- Approx. 32 Sonatas, 16 String Quartets, 9 Symphonies, Masses, Oratorios, Songs, 1 major opera, 5 piano concertos (all early), 1 violin concerto
- Especially known for contributions to sonata, quartet and symphony
; stretched Classicism to its limit
- Great virtuoso pianist
- Went to Vienna to study with Mozart in Feb. 1787
but had to leave days later because Beethoven's mother became deathly ill.
By the time Beethoven's mother died/Beethoven could raise $ to return, Mozart was dead
- Beethoven returned to Vienna in Jan 1792--has to study with Haydn
(who soon after leaves to go to London)
- Did not compose much until 1798--began severe hearing loss 4 years later--lost performing career)
- Most of his greatest compositions written after he went deaf c. 1802

 

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Basic Overview of the Development of Classic Instrumental Genres

 

 

mid-late Baroque

(1700-30)

Pre-Classic---------------------------Classic

1740----------1750---------1760---------- 1770--------------1800

Keyboard:

Suite
(Couperin)

Sonata ----------------------------------------------------------
(D. Scarlatti) (CPE Bach)   Haydn/Mozart             Beethoven

Chamber:

Trio Sonata
(Corelli)

String Quartet--------------------------------------------------
                                           Haydn/Mozart            Beethoven

Orchestral:

Overture
Opera Sinfonia
(Handel/Vivaldi)

Symphony------------------------------------------------------
(Sammartini) (Stamitz) (JC Bach) Haydn/Mozart    Beethoven