Classical Form

Baroque to Classical Artists react to Baroque grandiosity Polyphony gives way to homophony

(again) Enlightenment ideals influence society and

its music

The Enlightenment The Age of Reason Era of scientific discovery Rise of democratic ideals Conflict with old societal structures

Church Nobility

Eventually conflicting ideals lead to revolution (American and French)

Classicism in Music Elegance and symmetry Lyrical melody Homophonic texture Frequent repetition Dominance of the Viennese School

Haydn Mozart Beethoven

Dramatic Quality Classical music exhibits rapid change No longer restricted to a single emotion The mood of a piece changes frequently Textures and tempos fluctuate More frequent and gradual dynamic change

Form Form is very important in absolute music Form refers to the structure or organization

of a piece of music Important formal elements

Themes Thematic Development Sonata-Allegro form

Absolute Music Music with no literary or pictorial

references – music for its own sake Form organizes absolute music Absolute music is often organized into

contrasting sections AB – binary form ABA – ternary form

Theme A theme is a melodic idea Themes are musical building blocks

They help organize melodic structure The unify a lengthy composition

A theme usually made up of two phrases – antecedent and consequent

Thematic Development Often referred to just as “development” Development provides interest as a piece’s

thematic material is varied in different ways: Melodic Rhythmic Harmonic

Sonata-Allegro Form Sonata form is ABA form on grand scale Three overall sections:

Exposition Development Recapitulation

Exposition Themes are presented or “exposed” Themes are presented in the home key and

then in contrasting key 2 – 4 themes common for Classical period

Development Thematic development occurs here:

Variation, expansion, contraction The development provides drama Frequent modulation creates tension

Recapitulation Often called “Recap” The recap is essentially a restatement of the

exposition Tension is released by return to tonic key

Listening Example Title: Overture to Don Giovanni Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Genre: Opera

Notes on Overture to Don Gio. Slow sinister introduction presents music

from the dark ending of the opera Change to fast tempo marks beginning of

exposition – two themes Recapitulation “fades” as music moves

directly into opening vocal ensemble

Theme and Variations Form based on a theme that is presented

and then repeatedly changed (variations) Two kinds of variation:

Changing the melody itself Changing the accompaniment to that melody

Haydn was first to use this form in a symphonic movement

Rondo Form ABACABA (common example of rondo) Minimum of three repeated refrains and

two contrasting sections Rondo is a very old form

From Medieval rondeau (poetic form) Baroque ritornello form

Easy to hear – repeated opening material

Listening Example Title: Horn Concerto in Eb major, III Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Genre: Concerto

Notes on Horn Concerto, III Rondo form - ABACABA Listen for returning A section Horn plays A first, orchestra repeats theme Listen for instrumentation: horn vs. orch. Lively triple meter

Multimovement Cycle Used in various genres:

Symphony Concerto Sonata String quartet

Usually 3 or 4 movements in prescribed forms and tempos

Symphonic Movements 1st movement

Fast (i.e. Allegro) Sonata form 2-4 Themes

2nd movement Slow (i.e. Adagio) Possible forms:

ABA Theme and

Variations Modified Sonata

form More lyrical

3rd movement Moderate tempo Minuet & Trio (ABA) Triple meter

4th movement Very Fast (i.e. Presto) Generally lighter mood Finale Triumphant (Beethoven)