Aesthetics Exam 3: The Classical Era

Study Notes

The Rococo Style

Characterized by less complex music compared to Bach or Handel.
Architecture featured natural themes and muted color palettes.
Visual arts centered on natural beauty, influenced by mythology and the supernatural.

The Neoclassical Style

Revived Greco-Roman influences in visual arts.
Emphasized clarity and unity in music.
Established the symphony orchestra as a significant ensemble.

Harpsichord

A plucked-string keyboard instrument with two keyboards (manuals).
Dynamics are fixed, as sound is not influenced by finger pressure.

François Couperin

Key composer in the Rococo style; principal organist at the Chapelle Royale.
Appointed by Louis XIV, requiring music suitable for aristocracy.
Known for works like "The Mysterious Barricades."

Rococo Style in Music

Musical content became simpler than Baroque styles; intricate counterpoint declined.

Rococo Painting

Common themes included aristocrats in natural settings, flirtation, and courtship.
Portraits were often set outdoors rather than in traditional studio environments.

Important Artists

Notable figures included Jean-Antoine Watteau, François Boucher, Jean-Honoré Fragonard, and Élisabeth-Louise Vigée-Le Brun.

Madame de Pompadour Painting

Portrait by François Boucher, symbolizing design unity and symbolism.

The Swing Painting

Created by Jean-Honoré Fragonard; depicts an allegorical moment of hedonism and flirtation.
Features a seamless connection of lines from the dress to the natural surroundings and architecture.

Symphony

A composition genre for symphonic orchestras, typically with four movements (Fast - Slow - Minuet - Fast).

Concerto

A musical piece highlighting a single soloist accompanied by the orchestra.
Usually structured in three movements (Fast - Slow - Fast).

Élisabeth Vigée-Lebrun

First prominent female portrait artist for the French royal family; served as principal portraitist for six years.

Marie-Antoinette Portrait

Focuses on the intricate details of the dress, with limited engagement with the background.

Queen Marie-Antoinette and her Children Painting

Portrays Marie-Antoinette in a maternal light, with attention on her surroundings, including an empty bassinet symbolizing loss.

Jean Baptiste Greuze

A painter known for depicting moral narratives and social commentary.

Denis Diderot

French philosopher and art critic; critiqued Rococo art as "intellectually trivial and morally degenerate."

New Instruments of the Classical Era

Emergence of trumpet, French horn, and clarinet; advancements in string instrument bows impacted violin and cello.

Franz Joseph Haydn

Pioneer of the symphony and string quartet; teacher to notable composers like Mozart and Beethoven.

Period Phrase Structure

A musical structure characterized by a 4- or 8-measure phrase with antecedent and consequent phrases.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Composed 626 works across genres; performed at the Royal Court in Salzburg, integrating his role in chapel and court duties.

Eine Kleine Nachtmusik

A string orchestra piece by Mozart, showcasing grace and elegance in its middle movement.

Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen

An aria from "Die Zauberflöte," demonstrating Mozart's theatrical compositional style.

The Sonata-Allegro Form

Consists of three structural parts: exposition, development, and recapitulation.

Exposition

Introduces the thematic material to the listener; often repeated in early symphonies.

Development

Elaborates and transforms musical material; often tumultuous and unresolved.

Recapitulation

Returns to the thematic ideas presented in the exposition.

Ludwig Van Beethoven

Transitioned from Classical to a passionate, Romantic style; created over 200 major works, including nine symphonies.

Musical Elements

Pitch: Relates to the frequency (Hz) of sound.
Rhythm: Movement of music over time.
Melody: A sequence of tones forming a musical line.
Harmony: Combination of two or more pitches, creating sonority.
Texture: The relationship between parts or lines within music.
Timbre: The unique quality or tone color of a sound.
Expressive Qualities: Dynamics and articulation styles in music.
Form/Structure: Overall arrangement of musical sections and movements.

Jacques Louis David

Renowned for history paintings; played a significant role in shaping the public image of the French Revolution.

Description

Test your knowledge on the Classical Era of aesthetics with flashcards covering key styles such as Rococo and Neoclassical. Dive into the characteristics of music, architecture, and visual arts that defined this significant period. Enhance your understanding of how these styles influenced art and culture.

Aesthetics Exam 3: The Classical Era

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Questions and Answers

What characterizes The Rococo Style in music?

Who was the primary composer of the Rococo style?

The Neoclassical Style featured a revival of Greco-Roman influence in the visual arts.

What instrument is characterized as a plucked-string keyboard instrument?

The ______ is a specific genre of composition for a symphonic orchestra.

Which artist is known for the painting 'Madame de Pompadour'?

What was Denis Diderot's stance on the work of Rococo artists?

Which of the following composers developed the symphony and string quartet?

A musical composition which features a single soloist performing with the orchestra is called a ______.

What are the three parts of the Sonata-Allegro Form?

Which of the following terms relates to the note or wave frequency of a sound?

The Swing by Jean-Honoré Fragonard depicts a moment of drama and romance.

What is described as 'the quality or sound of a voice or instrument'?

The process of changing and transforming musical material is called ______.