mUSIC 9

CLASSICAL MUSIC
The Classical era, also called “Age of Reason “, is the period from
1750-1820. The cultural life was dominated by the aristocracy, as
patrons of musicians and artists who generally influenced the arts.
Significant changes in musical forms and styles were made.
In the middle of the 18th century, Europe began to move toward a new
style in architecture, literature, and the arts, known as Classicism. It was
also pushed forward by changes in the economic order and in social
structure. Primarily the nobility patronized instrumental music.
• Important historical events that occurred in the West during the Era
were the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars, the American
Declaration of independence in 1776 and the American Revolution.
The term “classical” denotes conformity with the principles and
characteristics of ancient Greece and Roman literature and art, which
were formal, elegant, simple, freed and dignified. The following are
the specific characteristics of the Classical music:
• 1. Texture
• Usually, Classical music is homophonic. There is one melodic line
with a non-melodic or less melodic accompaniment, thus creating a
simpler texture as opposed to the massive sound of Baroque music.
• 2. Melody There is a strong emphasis on the melody in Classical
music. Classical melodies are typically short, lyrical, and easy to sing.
• 3. Harmony Classical harmony is a lot simpler than that of the
Baroque. It is strongly tonal because key signatures are firmly
established during this period.
• 4. Dynamics The dynamics of loud and soft were clearly shown
through the extensive use of crescendo and diminuendo.
• 5. Form Musical forms in the Classical period were clearly defined.
Music was organized into precise, well-balanced, and clear sections.
• 6. Improvisation The importance of the basso continuo had been
reduced during this period. This is why improvisation had become less
and less significant. If Baroque music uses basso continuo as the bass
accompaniment, Classical music uses the Alberti bass, a broken chord
accompaniment named after Domenico Alberti.
• The great composers of Classical period were Franz Joseph Haydn,
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Van Ludwig Beethoven. Sonata,
concerto, and Symphony are the instrumental forms developed during
this era while Opera Seria and Opera Buffa are the two vocal forms.
• Before the classical style of music had been established, it went
through a transition period from Baroque to Classical. This transition
period is called the Pre-classical period. It approximately covers from
1730 to 1770. During this transition stage, diverse concepts of musical
style, form, and medium could be found. These style are the Rococo,
the Empfindsamer Stil (German: sensitive style), and the Pre-classical.
• Rococo Style
• Existing and in use approximately from 1720-1775, this particular
style was developed in France. This is characterized by being simple,
elegant, graceful, and profusely and delicately ornamented as opposed
to the complex and heavy style of Baroque.
• Empfindsamer Stil
• The style gallant had become known in Germany after 1750, and it
was called Empfindsamer Stil but with more enhanced and intensified
expressiveness.
• Preclassical Style
• This style is characterized by changes in concepts of form, style and

medium used in the previous period. This occurred from about 1740to
1770. During this stage, there were fusions of styles employed during
Baroque, Pre- classical, and Classical periods.
• Works of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven are still
popular today. Their compositions are now commonly
used as music to animated series of popular cartoon
companies such as Looney Toons, Warner Brothers,
20th Century Fox, Pixar, etc. Beethoven’s music was
used in one of the films for children and Little
Einstein’s animated series such as Symphony no. 5,
Op.67, Cm and Piano Sonata no.14 in C#m
( Moonlight) Ist mov. They also features the music of
the great composers Beethoven, Haydn and Mozart.
• D. Examples:
• Listening to Classical Music
• Here are some examples of Classical music and their suggested listening
resources:
• 1. W. A. Mozart Serenade in G minor ( Eine Kleine NachtmusiK) Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4Hfv00eqoI&t=7s
• 2. L. V. Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 14 in C#m ( Moonight Sonata) 1st movement
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Tr0otuiQuU
• 3. L. V. Beethoven Symphony No.5, Op.67, Cm Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evr7pgSsVoo&t=141s
• 4. W. A. Mozart Piano Sonata No. 16 in C major, K.545 Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXIu0MRuIQU
• 5. F.J. Haydn Symphony no. 94 in G major “ Surprise” 2nd movement Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLjwkamp3lI
Directions: Identify the word/words that describe / associated to the
target word in the middle of the word web. Write your answer in the
circles that surround it.
Composers of Classical period:
• FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN (1732-1809)
• Franz Joseph Haydn is one of the prominent composers of the classical period.
Hislife is described as “rags to riches” story. He came from a poor family and
his music led to his rise in social status. He was hired by rich patrons and
eventually became a musical director for the Esterhazy family for 30 years.
• His music reflects his character and personality: mainly calm, balanced,
serious but with touches of humor. He was able to compose over 100
symphonies and developed them into long forms for a large orchestra. He was
named,” Father of the Symphony “.Most of his symphonies have nicknames
such as the “ Surprise Symphonies “, “The Clock “, “ The Military “. He also
wrote chamber piano music and choral works.
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Haydn#/media/File:Joseph_Haydn.jpg
• 2. WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART (1756- 1791)
• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is a child prodigy and the most amazing genius
in musical history. At age five, he was already playing the violin and the
harpsichord; at six, he was recognized as an exceptional pianist and, at seven,
he was already composing excellent music. At age thirteen, he had written
sonatas, concertos, symphonies, religious works and operas and operettas.
• He Experimented in all kinds of music and composed over 700 works.
Unfortunately, due to mismanaged finances he lived his life in poverty. Died
young and was buried in an unknown grave. He composed wonderful
concertos, symphonies and operas such as, “The Marriage of Figaro” (1786),
“Don Giovanni” (1789), and “The Magic Flute” which became popular.
Other known works: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Symphony No. 40 in G Major,
and Sonata No. 11 in A.
• https://www.biography.com/musician/wolfgang-mozart
3. LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770-
1827)
• Ludwig Van Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany to a family of
musicians and studied music at an early age. He was the composer who
bridged the late Classical era and the early Romantic era. He was a
talented pianist and composer.
• His works include the “Missa Solemnis” (1818-1823) and opera
“Fidelio” (1805). His known symphonies are Symphony No.3 (Erotica),
No.5, No.6 (pastoral), No.9 (Choral), which adds voices to the
orchestra. He began to go deaf in 1796 but this did not become
hindrance. He continued composing through the help of an assistant and
hearing gadget. Some of his famous compositions were made when he
was deaf.
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_van_Beethoven
• Characteristics of Beethoven’s works:
• • His music veered toward larger orchestras.
• • Sound was centered on the violas and lower registers of the violins
and cellosto give his music a darker mood.
• • All themes in a piece are tied together by one motif.
• • He developed musical themes and motifs extensively by means of
modulation.
• • He used more brass instruments and dynamics
• Composers of Classical period
• Franz Joseph Haydn – was also known as the “Father of the String Quartet “. “
The Creation and The Seasons “are his two great oratorios that reflect his love
for nature .
• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – a child prodigy and influential composer of the
classical period, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (pronounced volfgangk a’ma day
us mow’tsart ) was baptized as Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus
Mozart in Latinized form. He was born in Salzburg, Austria on January 27,
1756. There has never been a composer as versatile as Mozart for writing so
exceptionally a wide range of musical media. One of his famous operas was
“The Abduction from the Seraglio”.
• Ludwig Van Beethoven - He became totally deaf during his final years in this
period. His works are considered reflective and meditative. He also wrote his
longest, most monumental, and mature work, the Ninth Symphony. Beethoven
died of either liver illness or pneumonia on March 24, 1827 in Vienna.
• D. Examples: Suggested listening resources for Haydn’s instrumental
works:
• • F.J. Haydn Symphony No.94 in G Major “ Surprise” 2nd movement
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLjwkamp3ll
• • F.J. Haydn Symphony No.101 in D major ,” The Clock”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1L6p4B2hBs
• • F.J.Haydn Symphony No.100 in G major, “Military”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGyGBRXfy10 Suggested listening
resources for Mozart’s instrumental works:
• • W.A. Mozart Piano Sonata No.16 in C major,K.545 (So –called
facile or semplice sonata) http://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yi_Eu_Rbo
• W.A. Mozart: Piano Sonata No.11,K331 in A Major,1st mov.(Andante
grazioso) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24_4VUU4qquM
• • W.A. Mozart serenade in G minor(Eine Kleine Nachtmusik)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1FSN8_pp_o Suggested listening
resources for Beethoven’s instrumental works:
• • L.V.Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 14 in c sharp minor (Moonlight) 1
st mov. Op.27 no 2 ( adagio sostenuto)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmVCcF42f-o
• • L.V. Beethoven Piano Concerto no.1 in C major op.15
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFfUcQQbwsE
• • L.V. Beethoven Symphony No.5 .Op.67, C minor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqvLfMigm3l

mUSIC 9

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

mUSIC 9

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

mUSIC 9

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

CLASSICAL MUSIC

• This style is characterized by changes in concepts of form, style and

You might also like