🎹Music History – 1750 to 1850 Unit 1 – Classical Period: 1750-1820

Key Characteristics of the Classical Period

• Emphasized clarity, simplicity, and balance in musical composition and structure
• Featured homophonic texture with melody supported by accompaniment rather than complex polyphony
• Utilized question and answer phrasing to create a sense of musical dialogue
• Employed dynamic contrasts and expressive elements within a controlled framework
• Developed sonata form as a key structure for instrumental works (symphonies, string quartets)
• Expanded the orchestra to include a wider range of instruments and timbres
• Shifted focus from religious to secular music with the rise of public concerts and patronage

Historical and Cultural Context

• Coincided with the Age of Enlightenment which emphasized reason, individualism, and progress
• Influenced by the philosophical ideas of thinkers such as Voltaire, Rousseau, and Kant
• Reflected the political and social changes of the time including the American and French Revolutions
• Witnessed the rise of the middle class and a growing demand for public concerts and music education
• Experienced a shift from aristocratic patronage to a more diverse audience and market for music
• Benefited from advancements in instrument design and manufacturing (piano, clarinet)
• Saw the establishment of important musical institutions such as the Paris Conservatory and Vienna Philharmonic

Major Composers and Their Works

• Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) known as the "Father of the Symphony" and "Father of the String Quartet"
  • Composed 104 symphonies, 68 string quartets, and numerous other works across genres
  • Notable works: "Surprise" Symphony No. 94, "Emperor" String Quartet Op. 76 No. 3
• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) a prolific and influential composer across all major genres
  • Composed over 600 works including 41 symphonies, 27 piano concertos, and 22 operas
  • Notable works: Symphony No. 40 in G minor, Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, opera "The Marriage of Figaro"
• Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) bridged the Classical and Romantic eras and expanded musical forms
  • Composed 9 symphonies, 32 piano sonatas, 16 string quartets, and 1 opera among other works
  • Notable works: Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Piano Sonata No. 14 "Moonlight," String Quartet No. 14

Musical Forms and Structures

• Sonata form became the primary structure for first movements of symphonies, string quartets, and sonatas
  • Consists of exposition (introduces themes), development (explores and modulates themes), and recapitulation (restates themes)
  • Includes a coda as an optional concluding section following the recapitulation
• Theme and variations form featured a main theme followed by a series of variations on that theme
• Rondo form alternated between a recurring main theme (A) and contrasting episodes (B, C, D) in patterns like ABACA
• Minuet and trio form consisted of a minuet (A), contrasting trio (B), and repeat of the minuet (A)
  • Often used as the third movement in symphonies and string quartets
• Opera utilized recitatives (speech-like singing) and arias (expressive solo songs) to advance the plot and showcase virtuosity

Instrumental Developments

• The piano emerged as a prominent instrument replacing the harpsichord
  • Allowed for dynamic control and expressive playing through its hammer action mechanism
  • Became a focal point for solo works, chamber music, and concertos
• The orchestra expanded in size and range of instruments
  • String section formed the core with violins, violas, cellos, and double basses
  • Woodwinds included flutes, oboes, clarinets, and bassoons
  • Brass section featured horns and trumpets with timpani in the percussion
• Chamber music flourished with string quartets, piano trios, and other small ensembles
  • Allowed for intimate and sophisticated musical dialogue among the instruments
• Solo instrumental works such as piano sonatas and concertos showcased virtuosity and expression

Stylistic Evolution from Baroque to Classical

• Shifted from polyphonic to homophonic texture with clear melody and accompaniment
• Moved away from complex counterpoint towards simpler, more balanced phrases and structures
• Reduced ornamentation and embellishments in favor of clarity and elegance of melodic line
• Employed more frequent and pronounced dynamic contrasts for expressive effect
• Developed a wider range of emotional expression from lighthearted to serious and dramatic
• Expanded tonal harmony and modulation to create a sense of departure and return
• Incorporated more folk and popular music influences into art music compositions

Performance Practices

• Emphasized technical precision, clarity of articulation, and controlled expression
• Utilized smaller ensembles and lighter textures compared to the Baroque period
• Featured the rise of the virtuoso soloist and the cult of the individual performer
• Developed standardized notation and performance directions in musical scores
• Established the conductor as a central figure in orchestral performances
  • Used a baton and standardized hand gestures to guide the ensemble
• Performers were expected to adhere closely to the written score with limited improvisation
• Cadenzas in concertos allowed for virtuosic display and individual interpretation by the soloist

Legacy and Influence on Later Periods

• Established the symphony, string quartet, and sonata as enduring musical genres
• Influenced the development of Romantic era music with its expanded forms and emotional expression
  • Beethoven's later works pushed the boundaries and paved the way for Romantic composers
• Served as a foundation for Western classical music education and performance traditions
• Continued to be widely performed, studied, and celebrated in concert halls and recordings
• Inspired later composers to build upon and react against the Classical style in various ways
• Left a lasting impact on popular culture through its melodies, forms, and iconic composers
  • Mozart's "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" and Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" remain widely recognized