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Classic

Period

Begins

Today

Gott im Himmel! Today I am a classic

composer

Classic

Period

Begins

Today

ClassicalClassicalclas-si-calclas-si-cal / ‘klas-i-k / ‘klas-i-kələl

According to Webster’s New Collegiate According to Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary:Dictionary:

1. of or relating to the ancient Greek and 1. of or relating to the ancient Greek and Roman world and esp. to its literature, Roman world and esp. to its literature, art, architecture, or idealsart, architecture, or ideals

2.2. versed in the classicsversed in the classics

3. of or relating to music of the late 183. of or relating to music of the late 18thth and and early 19early 19thth centuries characterized by an centuries characterized by an emphasis on simplicity, objectivity and emphasis on simplicity, objectivity and proportionproportion

ClassicalClassical1750 - 18201750 - 1820

Social, political and economic Social, political and economic conditions led many countries to conditions led many countries to

abolish monarchiesabolish monarchies

Reason, tolerance, hope, knowledge Reason, tolerance, hope, knowledge and justice replaced power, and justice replaced power,

repression, despair, ignorance, and repression, despair, ignorance, and political abusepolitical abuse

ClassicalClassical1750 - 18201750 - 1820

Classicists believe in universal values which led to Classicists believe in universal values which led to statements such as “When in the course of human events it statements such as “When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political

bands which have connected them with another. . . “bands which have connected them with another. . . “

The freedoms and rights that we enjoy and take for The freedoms and rights that we enjoy and take for granted today grew out of the convictions and beliefs of granted today grew out of the convictions and beliefs of the late 1700’s. The dominance of any group or person the late 1700’s. The dominance of any group or person by another was not tolerated. “We hold these Truths to by another was not tolerated. “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable

Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. . .of Happiness. . .

ClassicalClassical1750 - 18201750 - 1820

““Thomas Jefferson may be Thomas Jefferson may be considered the prototype of the considered the prototype of the

classical man: intelligent and well classical man: intelligent and well educated, he was a linguist, educated, he was a linguist,

scientist, mathematician, architect, scientist, mathematician, architect, musician and statesman.”musician and statesman.”

ClassicalClassicalHistoryHistory

17501750 Over a million people live in colonial America Over a million people live in colonial America

17511751 The Minuet becomes Europe’s fashionable danceThe Minuet becomes Europe’s fashionable dance

17521752 Benjamin Franklin flies a kite during a thunderstorm to prove that lightning is electricity.Benjamin Franklin flies a kite during a thunderstorm to prove that lightning is electricity.

17561756 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is bornWolfgang Amadeus Mozart is born

17571757 Whale oil street lamps, designed by Benjamin Franklin, are installed on a few streets in Philadelphia.Whale oil street lamps, designed by Benjamin Franklin, are installed on a few streets in Philadelphia.

17571757 First public concert in PhiladelphiaFirst public concert in Philadelphia

17591759 Händel diesHändel dies

17611761 Haydn is appointed Kapellmeister to Prince Paul EsterhazyHaydn is appointed Kapellmeister to Prince Paul Esterhazy

17621762 Benjamin Franklin improves the harmonica turning it into a viable musical instrumentBenjamin Franklin improves the harmonica turning it into a viable musical instrument

17621762 Mozart (age 6) tours Europe as a musical prodigyMozart (age 6) tours Europe as a musical prodigy

17641764 Mozart (age 8) writes his first symphonyMozart (age 8) writes his first symphony

17661766 British Parliament repeals the Stamp Act after American colonists stop buying British goods in British Parliament repeals the Stamp Act after American colonists stop buying British goods in protest against the taxes.protest against the taxes.

17701770 Ludwig van Beethoven is bornLudwig van Beethoven is born

17761776 On July 4On July 4THTH the Continental Congress approves the Declaration of Independence, written by the Continental Congress approves the Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson.Thomas Jefferson.

17771777 United States Congress adopts the American flag of thirteen alternating red and white stripes United States Congress adopts the American flag of thirteen alternating red and white stripes and thirteen white stars on a blue background.and thirteen white stars on a blue background.

17781778 Beethoven is presented by his father as being a six year old prodigy. (He’s eight.)Beethoven is presented by his father as being a six year old prodigy. (He’s eight.)

ClassicalClassicalHistoryHistory

1783 1783 The American Revolution officially ends when the United States and Britain sign the Treaty of The American Revolution officially ends when the United States and Britain sign the Treaty of Paris.Paris.

17891789 George Washington becomes the first president of the United States.George Washington becomes the first president of the United States.

17901790 First musical competition in AmericaFirst musical competition in America

17911791 The Bill of Rights becomes part of the United States Constitution.The Bill of Rights becomes part of the United States Constitution.

17931793 Eli Whitney invents his cotton gin.Eli Whitney invents his cotton gin.

17941794 After more than a hundred years, white-powdered hair goes out of fashion for men.After more than a hundred years, white-powdered hair goes out of fashion for men.

17971797 John Chapman, known as "Johnny Appleseed," begins planting apple seeds along the Ohio John Chapman, known as "Johnny Appleseed," begins planting apple seeds along the Ohio Valley.Valley.

18031803 The United States more than doubles its size after buying over 820,000 square miles of land from The United States more than doubles its size after buying over 820,000 square miles of land from the French government. It is known as the Louisiana Purchase,.the French government. It is known as the Louisiana Purchase,.

18041804 Meriwether Lewis and William Clark begin their exploration of the vast Northwest territory, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark begin their exploration of the vast Northwest territory, traveling from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean.traveling from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean.

18081808 The United States prohibits the importation of Africans for enslavement.The United States prohibits the importation of Africans for enslavement.

18091809 Felix Mendelssohn is bornFelix Mendelssohn is born

18131813 Giuseppe Verdi and Richard Wagner are bornGiuseppe Verdi and Richard Wagner are born

18141814 Francis Scott Key writes poem, “Defense of Fort McHenry,” later set to music of “Anacreon in Francis Scott Key writes poem, “Defense of Fort McHenry,” later set to music of “Anacreon in Heaven” to become U.S. National AnthemHeaven” to become U.S. National Anthem

18181818 Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht is written (Silent Night)Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht is written (Silent Night)

ClassicalClassicalArtArt

Two Old People EatingTwo Old People EatingFrancisco de GoyaFrancisco de Goya

1746 - 18281746 - 1828

Classical artistic Classical artistic

characteristicscharacteristics

Art looks to ancient Greece and Art looks to ancient Greece and Rome for inspiration.Rome for inspiration.

ClassicalClassicalArtArt

Death of Socrates,Death of Socrates,Jacques-Louis DavidJacques-Louis David

1748 - 18251748 - 1825

Classical artistic Classical artistic

characteristicscharacteristics

Art looks to ancient Art looks to ancient Greece and Rome for Greece and Rome for

inspiration.inspiration.

ClassicalClassicalArtArt

Voltaire,Voltaire,Jean-Antoine HoudonJean-Antoine Houdon

1741 - 18281741 - 1828

The images of Franklin on the The images of Franklin on the fifty-cent piece, Jefferson on the fifty-cent piece, Jefferson on the nickel, and Washington on the nickel, and Washington on the

quarter were all created by quarter were all created by Jean-Antoine Houdon, making Jean-Antoine Houdon, making

his art known to more his art known to more Americans than any other. Americans than any other.

Unfortunately, most Americans Unfortunately, most Americans don’t know who he isdon’t know who he is

ClassicalClassicalArchitectureArchitecture

U.S. Capital Building,U.S. Capital Building,Washinton D.C.,Washinton D.C.,

1793 – 18301793 – 1830Thornton-Latrobe-Bulfinch

ClassicalClassicalArchitectureArchitecture

Monticello,Monticello,

Charlottesville VACharlottesville VA

1768 - 17821768 - 1782Thomas Jefferson

ClassicalClassicalArchitectureArchitecture

The White HouseThe White House

Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.

1793 – 18011793 – 1801

James HobanJames Hoban

ClassicalClassicalMusicMusic

Wolfgang MozartWolfgang Mozart

1756 - 17911756 - 1791Musical Characteristics of the Musical Characteristics of the

Classic EraClassic Era

Form: Classicists found beauty Form: Classicists found beauty in order and symmetry of in order and symmetry of

design, and clearly organized design, and clearly organized their music.their music.

Although Mozart died young at age 35, he left behind an impressive body of work that includes Masses, Sonatas, Operas, Chamber music, Concertos and dance music. He was buried in a common grave before his second child was born.

ClassicalClassicalMusicMusic

Franz Joseph HaydnFranz Joseph Haydn

1732 - 18091732 - 1809Musical CharacteristicsMusical Characteristics

of the Classical Eraof the Classical Era

Texture: Homophony became Texture: Homophony became the predominant texture. the predominant texture. Melodies were generally Melodies were generally

placed on the top line while placed on the top line while the other lines were given the other lines were given

less melodic interest.less melodic interest.

Haydn was the last composer to thrive under the patronage system. While working for the Esterhazy family, Haydn wrote over 100 symphonies, 52 piano sonatas, 13 operas and numerous other compositions.

ClassicalClassicalMusicMusic

Ludwig Van BeethovenLudwig Van Beethoven

1770 - 18271770 - 1827Musical CharacteristicsMusical Characteristics

of the Classical Eraof the Classical Era

Timbre: Instrumental music Timbre: Instrumental music dominated during the dominated during the Classical period, and Classical period, and orchestral music was orchestral music was particularly importantparticularly important

Beethoven bridged the late classic period with the early romantic. His celebrated deafness occurred late in his life and is reflected in his music as his later music takes on a more cerebral quality.

ClassicalClassicalAuthorsAuthors

Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson

1743 - 18261743 - 1826

Thomas Jefferson’s most famous Thomas Jefferson’s most famous piece of writing is arguably the piece of writing is arguably the Declaration of Independence. If Declaration of Independence. If the colonies had not been the colonies had not been successful in separating successful in separating themselves from England, this themselves from England, this document alone would have been document alone would have been enough to put Jefferson to death enough to put Jefferson to death for treason.for treason.

ClassicalClassicalAuthorsAuthors

Jane AustenJane Austen

1775 - 18171775 - 1817

Her novelsHer novels are highly prized not are highly prized not only for their light irony, humor, only for their light irony, humor, and depiction of contemporary and depiction of contemporary English country life, but also for English country life, but also for their underlying serious qualities. their underlying serious qualities. They include They include Pride and PrejudicePride and Prejudice, , Love and FriendshipLove and Friendship, , Lady SusanLady Susan, , and many others.and many others.

ClassicalClassicalAuthorsAuthors

Jonathan SwiftJonathan Swift

1667 - 17451667 - 1745

Gulliver's Travels was published in 1726. Gulliver's Travels was published in 1726. Though it is often labeled a children's book, Though it is often labeled a children's book, it is also a great satire of the times. It it is also a great satire of the times. It demonstrates Swift's desire to encourage demonstrates Swift's desire to encourage people to read deeper and not take things people to read deeper and not take things for granted. Readers who paid attention for granted. Readers who paid attention could match all of Gulliver's tall tales with could match all of Gulliver's tall tales with current events and long-term societal current events and long-term societal problems. problems.