PERIODS OF MUSIC

Advanced Higher Understanding Music

Classical Period

OutcomesAll of the different styles of music we listen to today have evolved over a

long period of time. Musical styles have not always been so diverse, in fact before c.1450 music was pretty simplistic.

In order to understand modern music we must first understand its origins, history and development through the ages.

In this unit you will learn about the development of music through the following periods of time:

Medieval & Renaissance (1450 – 1600)Baroque (1600-1750)Classical (1750-1830)Romantic (1830-1900)20th Century (1900 – Present Day)

Through discussion and completing listening tasks, you will develop your understanding of musical concepts from these periods of history.

Music HistoryThroughout history there have been many eras, such as the

Renaissance, Classical and Gothic ages. These eras describe the style and characteristics of that period in time, particularly in the areas of science, art, architecture, literature and music.

The history of music is divided into six main periods of history:

MedievalRenaissanceBaroqueClassicalRomantic20th Century

The Classical Period 1750-1830Composers of the classical period established the symphony, sonata, concerto (for solo instrument), and string quartet as the major forms of musical expression.

In the Classical period the music became less about decoration and ornamentation, and more about simple, clean lines of melody.

3 composers of this period are Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven.

Features of the Classical Period:

Larger orchestra with the woodwind section gaining importance

Texture of the music is now mainly homophonic (Baroque texture

was mainly contrapuntal)

Melodies became more graceful and elegant

Richer variety of contrasting melodies, rhythms, keys & dynamics

The piano is invented

Development of the Orchestra• The woodwind took their place as a more established section in the orchestra, and the instruments were usually combined in pairs.

• The use of a pair of horns gradually replaced the continuo, filling out the texture of the orchestra.

• The clarinet was also added to the orchestra in the Classical period. One of the most famous clarinet pieces from this time is Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto.

Existing & Developing Forms

• Concerto (but not Concerto Grosso)

• Symphony

• Opera (although little Oratorio)

• Mass

• Sonata

Vocal Music• Opera – in a Classical opera there was less difference between the

arias and recitatives than there was in the Baroque era. An Classical opera still contains aria, recitative and chorus, but also introduces coloratura.

• Coloratura – high, florid, vocal singing involving scales, runs and ornaments.

Listen to the following example of coloratura fromMozart - Queen of the Night Aria (The Magic Flute)

CONCEPT DEFINITION

Coloratura Term for high, florid vocal singing involving scales, runs and ornaments

The Symphony & ConcertoThe Symphony The word symphony means ‘sounding together’.

It is a large work for the whole orchestra in four movements.

A movement is a part or section of the whole work.Movement 1 Fast – in Sonata formMovement 2 SlowMovement 3 Minuet and Trio formMovement 4 Finale, fast. Usually contains a coda

(a tailpiece to round off the movement)Haydn - Symphony No 94 'Surprise'

The Concerto A large work for the orchestra and solo instrument.There are three movements in a concerto.Movement 1 Fast – in Sonata form,

features a cadenzaMovement 2 SlowMovement 3 Fast

Mozart - Clarinet Concerto

ConceptsCONCEPT DEFINITION

Classical Period of music from 1750-1830 – Composers included Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven

Symphony Large work in 4 movements for the whole orchestra

Concerto Large work in 3 movements for the orchestra and soloist

Cadenza Short passage in a concerto where the soloist show off

The Sonata & Sonata FormSonata – the name a Classical composer gave to a work in several

movements for one or two instruments only e.g. piano, or violin and piano.

The first movement is almost always designed in what is called sonata form. Sonata form grew out of binary (AB) form – yet it is ternary (ABA) in outline in that it consists of three main sections. These are:

Exposition (presentation): the exposition is where the composer exposes or states his musical material. He calls his main ideas subjects (meaning “subjects for later discussion”).The first subject is in the tonic (home) key. This is followed by a bridge passage which modulates or changes key and leads to:The second subject in a new, but related, key – often the dominant or the relative major if the tonic is a minor key.

Composers often mark the exposition to be repeated so the listener may have a second chance to fix these ideas in their mind.

The exposition is followed by the development and recapitulation sections.

The Sonata & Sonata Form cont.

You are now going to listen to Mozart’s Sonata in F Major following the score in front of you. As you listen, complete Literacy Task 2 – The Sonata

Mozart - Piano Sonata in F (K332)

You are now going to listen to the first movement of Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (A Little Night Music), which is in sonata form.

Whilst listening you should follow the annotated score. You will then hear the music again and you should answer the questions in Literacy Task 3.

Mozart - Eine Kleine Nachtmusik 1st mvt

ConceptsCONCEPT DEFINITION

Sonata A work for solo piano, or a solo instrument accompanied by piano, in three or four movements

Sonata Form The structure of the first movement of many sonatas, symphonies and often overtures. It falls into three sections: exposition, development and recapitulation

Exposition The first section of a movement in Sonata form

Subject The main theme in a composition, the main themes in sonata form

Bridge A link between two themes. In sonata form the bridge or transition links the first subject-group to the second, and also modulates to the key of the second subject.

The PianoDuring the Classical period, for the first time in musical history, music for

instruments became more important than music for voices.At first the piano was slow to develop but, by the 1760s, it was accepted as being

on equal terms with the harpsichord. By the end of the 18th century the harpsichord had fallen out use and the piano had completely taken its place.

The piano was able to make sudden dynamic contrasts between soft and loud, and control all the various shades of tone and volume in between.

Sounds could be made to grow gradually louder or softer, and further contrast might be made between legato and staccato.

Alberti Bass - Used in piano music, the alberti bass is a broken chord accompaniment repeated in the left hand, keeping the music moving but also supporting the melody.

An alberti bass looks like this:

Listen to the beginning of Mozart - Piano Sonata in F (K332) whilst following the score.

Chamber Music• Chamber music is music written for a small group such as a trio,

quartet or quintet. This music would have originally been performed in the home as a private or intimate concert for a small audience, instead of in a grand concert hall.

• String quartets (two violins, viola and cello) were among the most popular chamber music ensembles during the Classical period.

You will now listen to Haydn’s String Quartet No.77 ‘The Emperor’. It takes its name because it is based on an anthem Haydn composed for the first Austrian Emperor Francis I.

As you listen to the excerpt choose four concepts you hear from the box below and write them in your jotter.

Imperfect Cadence Modulation ¾ Time

Dotted Rhythms AllegroAcciccatura

Tremolando Tierce de picardie Mordent

Chamber Music• Piano Trio – as this new instrument developed and gained in

popularity, towards the end of the Classical period composers such as Beethoven began composing music for piano and two other instruments.

• Mozart 'Kegelstatt' Piano Trio• Piano Trio - Stairway to Heaven

CONCEPT DEFINITION

Alberti Bass Broken chord accompaniment used in piano music

Chamber Music

Music written for a small group such as a trio, quartet or quintet

String Quartet Small instrumental group consisting of 2 violins, viola and cello. This is a form of chamber music

Piano Trio Chamber music for piano and two other instruments

ConceptsCONCEPT DEFINITION

Alberti Bass Broken chord accompaniment used in piano music

Chamber Music

Music written for a small group such as a trio, quartet or quintet

String Quartet Small instrumental group consisting of 2 violins, viola and cello. This is a form of chamber music