Music in the Classical PeriodFranz Joseph Haydn&Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

General Characteristics ofClassical MusicIt is meant to be easy on the ear.Direct reaction to the complexity of Baroque music.Balance, clarity, accessibility.Melody with accompaniment (homophony).Melodies are tuneful and catchy (2-4 measure phrases).Harmony is simple, logical and clear (few dissonances).No basso continuo (walking or Alberti Bass).

Three Main QualitiesMelody is most important part.Tuneful and balanced.Simple harmony.Light accompaniment.

Classical OperaOpera buffa comic opera.Simple music, amusing plot, real characters.Performed in palace and public opera houses.Reaction to problems with Baroque Opera.Mythology/historicalNot real people or situationsMusic too heavy and complex.

SymphonyMost important instrumental genre.Began as sinfonia (overture to opera).Three movements (Fast, Slow, Fast)Begins to look like the modern symphony.

Mannheim, GermanyCenter of symphonic composition and performance.Johann Stamitz, conductorExpanded sinfonia to four movementsMvt 1 Fast and serious (sonata form)Mvt 2 Slow and lyrical (aria form)Mvt 3 Graceful and moderate (dance form)Mvt 4 Fast and lively (Rondo form)Structure of the orchestra expandedFull strings, woodwinds (flute/oboe, horn), trumpets and drums, later added bassoons and clarinets.Mannheim Steamroller - Crescendo

Chamber MusicMusic for the Middle Class to play at home.String Quartet Violin I & II, viola, celloIdeal balance to match SATB voice types.Followed the symphonic patterns.SonatasSolo keyboard or keyboard + solo instrument.1775 pianoforte replaces harpsichord.Composers wrote and improvised from the keyboard (often performing their own music).

Strict Conventions and FormsMvt. 1 - Sonata FormExposition state the two themes (firs in tonic, second in dominant).Development develop the themes by changing keys, etc.Recapitulation replay the two themes, both in the tonic key.Coda optional endingUsed for the most serious musical ideas.Mvt. 2 Aria FormLyrical and song-like.ABA formTriple meterContrasting keys with new material.Less serious than Sonata Form

Forms (cont.)Mvt. 3 Minuet and Trio FormMinuet Dance in Binary form (AABB usually in time)Trio Different music in binary form (CCDD)Return to original Minuet (AB)Makes for an overall ternary form (ABA).Mvt. 4 Rondo formSimplest of all forms (most accessible).New music always returns to a main theme.ABACADA.

Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)Began musical career as choir boy in Vienna (learned to play harpsichord and violin).1761 hired as assistant music director to Prince Esterhazy1762 Palace Esterhaza built2 large music rooms and 2 opera theatres.1766 promoted to Music Director

Haydns Musical DutiesAs music director he was expected to write, direct or perform 2 operas and 2 concerts each week, extra concerts for important visitors, dinner music and chamber music for the Princes rooms.As a result he wrote over 100 symphonies, 70 string quartets, 50+ keyboard sonatas, and numerous choral and solo voice pieces.Last 12 symphonies written in London.

Haydns MusicOperas Wrote many, but few are still performed today.Symphonies Wrote well over 100.Expanded the size by emphasizing brass, clarinets and percussion.Added crescendos and accents.Father of the String QuartetFirst to develop the genreMassesOratorios The Creation & The SeasonsMusical JokesCredited with inventing the false recapitulationSurprise/Farewell Symphonies

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart1756-1791

Leopold MozartMozarts father was a performer, composer, author and music theorist.Wrote one of the most important contributions to music theory.Sacrificed his own career to further his sons.Domineering personality who took Mozart on tour at a young age.

The Child ProdigyAge 4 Learned to play harpsichord and violin.Age 6 wrote his first compositions and started touring (10yrs).Age 10 First SymphonyAge 14 First OperaAge 17 Hired by Archbishop of Salzburg

Mozarts FamilyMother died while he was very young.Sister, Nanerl, also was musically gifted.1782 Married Constanze Weber

Mozarts Early MusicReleased by the Archbishop for disorderly conduct and began freelance composing.Considered too young and overqualified for most jobs.Moved to Vienna1782 First major opera, The Abduction from the SeraglioWrote string quartets to emulate Haydn.Made a living by performing his piano concertos.

Mozarts Late MusicLosing fame and poorly managed money.Late works are the most impressive.Symphonies 37, 40, 41Operas1786 Marriage of Figaro1787 Don Giovanni1791 Magic Flute (Die Zauberflote)Requiem

Mozarts CharacteristicsAccessible and highly refined.Instilled a sense of drama in all of his music.Master of melody, tuneful and catchy.Mastered all Classical genres.Wrote more than 800 compositions in 35 years.