Questions and Answers
The Classical era (_____ - _____) is characterized by ________, _______, and _________ proportion. This is reflected in the art and ______ of the time, modeled on ancient Greek and Roman styles.
1750, 1825, order, objectivity, harmonious, architecture
The American Revolution (1775-83) and the ________ ________ (1789-99) profoundly changed ________ systems and ______ order.
French Revolution, political, social
The era saw significant advances in ________ and ________, and the Industrial Revolution made _______ ________ possible.
science, ideas, mass production
Haydn, ____, Beethoven, -all members of the ______ school-composed in large-scale forms (, __________, _______).
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Classical music is characterized by a _________, ________ melody; _______ harmony; regular _______ and ________; homophonic _______; and frequent use of _____ elements.
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Music-making revolved around the _______, with composers (especially _______) employed under the _____ system. Women also held court positions as _______ and _______.
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Melodic ideas, or ______, are used as building blocks in a _______; these melodies are made up of short _____ or rhythmic _____ known as ______.
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Themes can be expanded by varying the ______, _______, or ______ through thematic development; this usually happens in __- works.
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Form is the most important organizing element in ________ music, which has no specific ____ or ____ program.
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The Classical-era symphony, _______, ______ ________, and _____ are in standard _________ cycles of three or four movements.
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The ____ movement of the cycle is usually in a fast tempo and _____ _____ -_____ form, with three main sections: ______, ______, and _______.
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The second movement is usually _______ and can be in various forms, including ______ and ______ or _____ (A-B-A) form.
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The third movement is a _- dance-either a _____ and trio or a _____ and ____.
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The fourth movement is _____ and ______, often in _____ or _- form.
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The Classical era is the golden age of _______ _______ (ensemble music for ______ to about ______ performers, with one player per part).
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The string quartet (made up of 2 _____, _____, and _______) was the most important _______ music genre of the era.
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Study Notes
Classical Era Overview
- The Classical era (1750-1825) emphasizes order, objectivity, and harmonious proportion, drawing inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman art and architecture.
- Major political shifts include the American Revolution (1775-1783) and the French Revolution (1789-1799), which transformed political systems and social structures.
Scientific and Cultural Advances
- Significant advancements in science and philosophy occurred during this period, alongside the Industrial Revolution enabling mass production.
Prominent Composers
- Notable composers from the Viennese school include Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert, known for their contributions to large-scale musical forms, like symphonies, concertos, and sonatas.
Characteristics of Classical Music
- Classical music features a singable and lyrical melody, diatonic harmony, regular rhythms and meters, homophonic texture, and the incorporation of folk elements.
- Music-making was centered around royal courts, with composers working under the patronage system; women contributed as musicians and educators.
Melodic and Thematic Structures
- Melodic ideas or themes serve as foundational components in compositions, often further divided into short melodic or rhythmic fragments called motives.
- Thematic development involves varying melody, rhythm, or harmony, typically found in large-scale works.
Importance of Form
- Form is crucial in absolute music, which lacks a specific pictorial or literary program, providing the primary structure for compositions.
Movement Structures in Classical Compositions
- Standard multimovement cycles in classical compositions (symphonies, sonatas, string quartets, concertos) typically consist of three to four movements.
- The first movement is generally fast, following sonata-allegro form and comprising exposition, development, and recapitulation sections.
- The second movement usually has a slower tempo and may follow theme and variations or ternary (A-B-A) form.
- The third movement is characterized by a triple-meter dance, employing either minuet and trio or scherzo and trio formats.
- The fourth movement is typically fast and lively, often presented in rondo or sonata-allegro form.
Chamber Music Significance
- The Classical era is recognized as the golden age of chamber music, which involves ensemble compositions for two to about ten performers, with each player assigned a unique part.
- The string quartet, consisting of two violins, one viola, and one cello, stands out as the most important chamber music genre of the era, while other configurations like duos, trios, quintets, serenades, and divertimentos also gained popularity.
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Description
These flashcards cover key concepts of the Classical era (1750-1825), focusing on its characteristics such as order, objectivity, and harmonious proportion. Explore how these traits are reflected in the art and architecture of this time, influenced by ancient Greek and Roman styles.
