History of Music
Classical Period
1750-1800 A.D.
The word Classical has strong connotations, conjuring up the art and
philosophy of Ancient Greece and Rome along with their ideals of
balance, proportion and disciplined expression. The late Baroque style
was polyphonically complex and melodically ornate. The composers of
the early Classical period changed direction, writing music that was much
simpler in texture. It is in some ways ironic that two of J.S. Bach's
children, Carl Philipp Emanuel (C.P.E.) and Johann Christian (J.C.), were
among the leaders of this new artistic movement. Their father had been
the greatest master of the high Baroque style, and it was his children who
made that style obsolete.
Homophony--music in which melody and accompaniment are
distinct--dominated the Classical style, and new forms of composition
were developed to accommodate the transformation. Sonata form is by
far the most important of these forms, and one that continued to evolve
throughout the Classical period. Although Baroque composers also wrote
pieces called sonatas, the Classical sonata was quite different.
The essence of the Classical sonata is conflict. A highly simplified example
of such a conflict might be between two themes of contrasting character.
This contrast would be intensified during the course of the sonata, then
finally resolved. In some ways, there is a resemblance to the skeleton of a
play: we meet characters, a conflict is developed and finally a resolution
reached. Sonata form allowed composers to give pure instrumental music
a recognizable dramatic shape. Every major instrumental form of the
Classical era, including the string quartet, symphony and concerto was
molded on the dramatic structure of the sonata.
One of the most important developments of the Classical period is the
growth of the public concert. Although the aristocracy would continue to
play a significant role in musical life, it was now possible for composers to
survive without being the employee of one person or family. This also
meant that concerts were no longer limited to palace drawing rooms.
Composers started organizing concerts featuring their own music, and
often attracted large audiences. The increasing popularity of the public
concert had a strong impact on the growth of the orchestra. Although
chamber music and solo works were played in the home or other intimate
settings, orchestral concerts seemed to be naturally designed for big
public spaces. As a result, symphonic music (including opera and
oratorio) became more extroverted in character. Composers gradually
expanded the size of the orchestra to accommodate this expanded
musical vision.

 

Sound
-Orchestra that has about 50 people
-Trombone is introduced
-Piano replaces Lute, Harpsichord, and Organ
-Opera becomes popular
             -Opera is forerunner to Musicals
 

Texture
-very clear
-mostly homophonic
             -melody & accompaniment
-Alberti Bass
             -Alberti did this
             -outlines triads 1-5-3-5-1-5-3-5-1-5-3-5 etc.
 

Harmony
-Tonal System
             -major minor stuff
-Slow harmonic rhythm (harmony moves slow)
-All triads and simple 7ths (Same as Baroque)
-Progression is IV-V-I.
 -This replaces ii-V-I
 

Melody
-is more lyrical than Baroque
-has smooth contour
-four bar and eight bar phrases become popular
-question and answer is used in melody
 

Rhythm
-simple rhythm
-very symmetric
-some simple syncopation (not as much as Renaissance)
-Tempo changes used a lot
-Silence is used as an effect
 

Composer

Carl Philipp Emanuel (C.P.E.) Bach (1714-1788)
Christoph Willibald Gluck (1714-1787)
Johann Christian (J.C.) Bach (1735-1782)
Franz Josef Haydn (1732-1809)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart(1756-1791)
    Serenade No. 13 in G major K. 525
        Allegro (7 '50)
                Click here for a 28.8 K stream.
                Click here for a 56 K stream.
    The Magic Flute K. 620
        Overture (7 '21)
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                Click here for a 56 K stream.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) - Early years
        Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor op. 27/2 "Moonlight"
            Adagio sostenuto (6 '16)
                Click here for a 28.8 K stream.
                Click here for a 56 K stream.
        Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major op. 15
            Allegro con brio (16 '57)
                Click here for a 28.8 K stream.
                Click here for a 56 K stream.
        Andante - Beethoven
                Click here for a 28.8 K stream.
                Click here for a 56 K stream.

Form
-Sonata
             -multi-movement form
             -usually four movements
                        I.  Allegro
                                     -Written using the Sonata Allegro Process
                                                    A.  Exposition
                                                            1.  Theme I- (sometimes there’s an intro before this)
                                                            2.  Transition
                                                            3.  Theme II- usually lyrical and in a different key
                                                    B.  Development- develop ideas from exposition
                                                    C.  Recapitulation
                                                            1.  Theme I  (These are usually the same,
                                                            2.  Transition,    but sometimes varied)
                                                            3.  Theme II- sometimes played in first key
                                                    D.  Coda- end part
                        II.  Adagio
                        III.  Scherzo or Minuet
                                      -A minuet is usually in 3
                        IV.  Allegro
             -can be written for any instrument
             -usually piano or orchestra accompaniment
-Symphony
             -a Sonata for orchestra (same as above)
             -First movement also uses Sonata Allegro Process
-Overture
             -the first movement of an Opera
             -no voices
             -played by pit orchestra
             -plays some melodies from the whole piece
-Chamber Music
             -small groups
             -Quartets
             -Quintets
             -elevator music of the 1700’s
             -background
             -played some dance music
-Solo Concerto
             -no Grosso concerto
             -features a soloist

Miscellaneous
-Forms and melodies are clearer
-Everything becomes distinct
-There’s symmetry
-The music was written for the middle class.
-There’s a lot of tension and release