During the Classic period the Western European music environment saw the establishment of the standard concert formats we still recognize today: symphony, concerto, sonata, and string quartet. This period also saw music from Hayden, Mozart and Beethoven’s early career.
The Classic period is commonly know as the beginning of the modern era in music. The sounds, genres, and forms that were established then are in common use today. These include the instrumentation of the modern symphony orchestra and string quartet; the sonata, symphony, and concerto genres; and the sonata, minuet and trio, theme and variations, and rondo forms.
The music was centered in the sophisticated, aristocratic courts and communities of Austria and Germany. The courts valued artistic and social status. Their music, however, was becoming more available to the general public. Communities were building opera houses and concert halls in which to perform the new forms of music.The Classic period is commonly know as the beginning of the modern era in music. The sounds, genres, and forms that were established then are in common use today. These include the instrumentation of the modern symphony orchestra and string quartet; the sonata, symphony, and concerto genres; and the sonata, minuet and trio, theme and variations, and rondo forms.
The musical characteristics reflected this Age of Reason. The music of this period was characterized by order, restraint, balance, and clarity. The melodies were lyrical melodies with clear harmonies and uncomplicated rhythms. Distinct formal structures were developed that still exist. Modulations were common, but key relationships took on a new significance.
Mozart, Haydn, and a young Beethoven were the principal composers of the Classic period.
Musical Characteristics
Reflected the Age of Reason: emotional restraint, balance, clarity, symmetry, clear and precise formal structure, and simplicity.
Emphasis was on melody - homophonic texture important was somewhat important. The Baroque era’s continuo and figured bass no longer needed; melodies were lyrical with smooth, stepwise contour. Harmonies were mainly simple composed of major-minor tonalities and predictable modulations. Rhythms were simple, uncomplicated, and predictable.
Instruments Become Mature
- Families of instruments of modern orchestras and bands became standard
- Orchestra included the string section of first and second violins, violas, cellos, and double basses; winds in pairs - flutes, clarinets, oboes, bassoons, trumpets, horns, and sometimes trombones; and timpani, the only widely used percussion instruments
Genres
- Large multi-movement works included the symphony, concerto, and sonata (typically for solo instrument and piano)
- Chamber music ensembles included a variety of instrumental combinations
- String quartet - two violins, one viola, one cello
- Piano trio - violin, cello, and piano
- Piano quintet - string quartet plus piano
- Woodwind quintet - flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, and bassoon
- The movements of the multi-movement works typically were arranged as follows:
- I Fast - sonata form
- II Slow - theme and variations, aba, or other form
- III Dance - minuet and trio or a scherzo and trio
- IV Fast - usually a rondo and lighter in character than the first movement
- Vocal, choral, and opera - opera was the primary genre; less emphasis on choral and vocal compositions other than, perhaps, oratorio.
Forms
- Sonata form
- Common in all classical orchestral and chamber music
- Most often used as a basis of first movements
- Includes:
- Introduction
- Exposition—presents two themes, the second in a contrasting style and key
- Development—develops and expounds upon the theme or themes
- Recapitulation—a return to the tonic key and the primary theme
- Coda—the concluding section
- Theme and variations
- Variations achieved through a variety of different ways
- Changing tempos
- Changing dynamics
- Changing articulation
- Changing instrumentation
- The variations are either continuous or sectional
- Minuet and trio
- The dance movement (usually the third movement)
- An aba form (minuet-trio-minuet)
- Rondo
- The principle of contrast and return is integral to the rondo
- Based on two or more contrasting theme areas, each followed by a return to the original section
- Usually the concluding movement of a sonata, symphony, or string quartet
- Rondo form can be depicted as abaca, abacaba, or abacada
Featured Composers
Haydn—worked within the aristocratic, patronage system; employed by the Prince of Esterhazy in Austria for thirty years; composed 104 symphonies and 82 string quartets
Mozart—not nearly as successful during his life as Haydn; wrote in virtually every popular form of the day; died in poverty; considered one of the supreme composers of Western music
Beethoven—his early music fits the classical style, but later works were based on a more romantic aesthetic; frequently considered the one who exemplified a transition from the Classic to the Romantic periods; freed music from the restraints of classicism by creating works that were models of subjective feeling and personal expression.
Haydn—worked within the aristocratic, patronage system; employed by the Prince of Esterhazy in Austria for thirty years; composed 104 symphonies and 82 string quartets
Mozart—not nearly as successful during his life as Haydn; wrote in virtually every popular form of the day; died in poverty; considered one of the supreme composers of Western music
Beethoven—his early music fits the classical style, but later works were based on a more romantic aesthetic; frequently considered the one who exemplified a transition from the Classic to the Romantic periods; freed music from the restraints of classicism by creating works that were models of subjective feeling and personal expression.
For seriously understanding Mozart and the 40th symphony, as well as diatonic vs. chromaticism, please watch a presentation by Leonard Bernstein on You Tube.
Prof. Songer
JCTC - Downtown
