Classical Music Flashcards

Questions and Answers

How does Haydn creatively prepare listeners for the second return of the main theme in the fourth movement of the Symphony No. 94 in G Major?

By repeating its beginning notes over and over

Select all the techniques used by Mozart to express emotion in his operas.

Crescendos and decrescendos (correct)

Two violins playing octaves (correct)

Muted violins and a flute playing in unison (correct)

Select all the characteristics of the coda in the third movement of Haydn's Trumpet Concerto in E Flat Major.

Sudden changes in dynamics (correct)

Surprising harmonic twists (correct)

A long, suspenseful pause (correct)

Select all the statements about Mozart's childhood and youth.

He learned the operatic style practiced in Italy Signup and view all the answers

Select all the techniques that are characteristic of Mozart's operas.

Ability to bring characters to life through music Signup and view all the answers

Select all the statements that apply to how characters are portrayed in Mozart's operas.

Their emotions evolve through shifts in music Signup and view all the answers

Select all the statements about Mozart's adult career.

He became friends with Haydn Signup and view all the answers

Select all the musical elements that are used to set the scene in the introduction to Mozart's Don Giovanni.

The major key emphasizes a cheerful tone Signup and view all the answers

Select all that apply to the forms combined in the fourth movement of Haydn's Symphony No. 94 in G Major (Surprise).

Sonata Signup and view all the answers

What is considered Mozart's finest opera in German?

The Magic Flute Signup and view all the answers

Select all the techniques Mozart uses to convey mood in this selection from Don Giovanni.

The strings play tremolo Signup and view all the answers

What musical technique does Mozart use in the 'catalog' aria to differentiate between Leporello's recounting of Don Giovanni's romantic conquests and his explanation of Don Giovanni's seduction techniques?

The meter changes from 4/4 to 3/4 Signup and view all the answers

Select all the musical elements that are used to set the scene for the aria La ci darem la mano from Don Giovanni.

The female voice repeats the same melody as the male voice Signup and view all the answers

Which statement describes this selection from Mozart's Symphony No. 40 in G Minor?

The trio section of the third movement comes to an end, and the minuet returns. Signup and view all the answers

Select all the changes that occur in this aria from Don Giovanni.

The mood emulates a minuet in triple meter Signup and view all the answers

How does Mozart use the two-note rhythmic figure from the development section of the second movement of the Symphony No. 40 to create a new tone color?

By using it as a countermelody to an airy string melody Signup and view all the answers

How does Mozart signify that Zerlina has changed her mind and has decided to go with Don Giovanni to his palace?

The meter changes from 2/4 to 3/4 Signup and view all the answers

How does the music emphasize Don Giovanni's fatal sword thrust at the end of his duel with the Commandant?

A long, dissonant chord creates suspense Signup and view all the answers

Select all the ways in which the trio differs from the minuet in the third movement of Mozart's Symphony No. 40 in G Minor.

The key shifts from minor to major Signup and view all the answers

The preclassical style and eventual classical style developed as a reaction to what?

The complexity of baroque works Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the use of mood in classical music?

Controlled fluctuation between contrasting themes Signup and view all the answers

What use of rhythm in classical music differs from baroque music?

Classical music features a variety of rhythmic patterns, whereas baroque music is limited to a few patterns. Signup and view all the answers

Select all the ways the texture of music of the classical period differ from that of the baroque period.

Flexible shifts in texture Signup and view all the answers

Which best describes the balance and symmetry in a typical melody of the classical era having the form a a'?

Two phrases of the same length, one with an inconclusive ending followed by a similar one with a conclusive ending Signup and view all the answers

Select all the composers of the classical era.

Mozart Signup and view all the answers

Select all the statements that illustrate how classical composers created expression of mood in their music.

Controlled changes of mood Signup and view all the answers

Flexibility of rhythm was NOT a characteristic of the classical style.

False Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the ways in which composers of the classical era achieved more expression in their music?

By using crescendos and decrescendos, or gradual changes in volume Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the use of texture in classical compositions?

Classical pieces fluctuate between different textures. Signup and view all the answers

One reason that basso ______ became obsolete during the classical era was that more and more music was written for amateurs who could not master the difficult art of improvising from a figured bass.

continuo Signup and view all the answers

How are classical melodies typically structured?

Two phrases of equal length Signup and view all the answers

Select all the descriptions that apply to the orchestra of the classical period.

The clarinet began to be used Signup and view all the answers

Select all the usual functions of instrumental sections in the orchestra of the classical era.

Woodwinds provided contrasting tone colors Signup and view all the answers

Select all the statements that describe mood in classical-era music, particularly in contrast to baroque music.

Contrasts within a theme Signup and view all the answers

In a classical-era work for orchestra or string quartet, the tempos of the four movements typically followed which of the following patterns?

Fast/slow/dance related/fast Signup and view all the answers

Select all the reasons that explain why the piano replaced the harpsichord in the classical period.

Composers preferred the more expressive qualities of the piano Signup and view all the answers

Select all the ways that middle-class tastes influenced classical music.

Wrote pieces that were easy for amateurs to play Signup and view all the answers

What development led to the decline of the basso continuo in the classical period?

There was an increase in the number of pieces written for amateurs. Signup and view all the answers

Select all the statements that explain Vienna's importance in the development of classical-era music.

Aristocrats brought their orchestras Signup and view all the answers

Select all the groups of instruments that were standard in the orchestras of Haydn and Mozart.

Strings Signup and view all the answers

To achieve an even more conclusive ending, composers often added a ______ (meaning tail in Italian) at the end of a movement in sonata form.

coda Signup and view all the answers

What role did woodwinds primarily play in the classical orchestra?

Adding contrasting tonal colors and playing melodic solos Signup and view all the answers

What instruments make up a string quartet?

Two violins, one viola, one cello Signup and view all the answers

Select all the roles of the exposition section of the sonata form.

Shows conflict between groups of themes Signup and view all the answers

Select all the ways the middle-class public of the classical era enjoyed music.

Bought tickets to public concerts Signup and view all the answers

Which European city was the musical center during the classical period?

Vienna Signup and view all the answers

Select all the common sections of the sonata form.

Development Signup and view all the answers

What are motives?

Short musical ideas Signup and view all the answers

In which section of the sonata form are the first theme, bridge, second theme, and concluding section all played in the tonic key?

Recapitulation Signup and view all the answers

In the sonata form, the key that comes in the bridge or transition to the second theme is typically ______.

new Signup and view all the answers

Select all the reasons public concerts were so important for the middle class in the classical period.

Relatable content in operas Signup and view all the answers

Which one of these often ends with a coda?

Sonata form Signup and view all the answers

Which section of the sonata form is the most dramatic, featuring harmonic tension caused by rapid key modulations?

Development Signup and view all the answers

Select all the ways in which contrasts in rhythm and dynamics are created in the first theme in the exposition of Mozart's Symphony No. 40, fourth movement.

First phrase slower than second Signup and view all the answers

What is one crucial change to how the first theme, bridge, second theme, and concluding section are presented in the recapitulation?

All principal material is now in the tonic key. Signup and view all the answers

What usually comes at the end of the exposition section of the sonata form?

A repeat sign Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a coda?

It rounds off the movement by repeating themes or developing them further. Signup and view all the answers

Which description applies to the theme-and-variations form of the classical period?

Each variation is usually about the same length as the theme. Signup and view all the answers

Select all the descriptions that apply to the fourth movement of Mozart's Symphony No. 40.

Contains two themes Signup and view all the answers

What is the most important aspect of the recapitulation in sonata form?

All the important material such as the second theme are in the tonic key. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes what is heard in this excerpt from Haydn's Surprise Symphony?

The theme in the lower melodic line and a countermelody in the higher melodic line. Signup and view all the answers

Which sequence represents the structure of a minuet and trio form?

minuet → trio → minuet Signup and view all the answers

Select all the techniques a composer might use to vary the main theme in a theme-and-variations movement.

Change the texture Signup and view all the answers

Select all the statements about the section and its mood and dynamic level.

B section is the trio Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between Variation 1, heard first, and Variation 2, heard second?

The key changes from major to minor. Signup and view all the answers

In a minuet and trio, how is the closing minuet different from the opening minuet?

The closing minuet is played straight through without repetition. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the rondo form?

A tuneful main theme returns in alternation with other themes (as in the form ABACABA). Signup and view all the answers

What form has one theme that is repeated again and again and changed each time?

Theme and variations Signup and view all the answers

Select all the statements that apply to the second theme in the fourth movement of Mozart's Symphony No. 40.

It is lyrical and smoother Signup and view all the answers

Select all the accurate statements about meter and dynamics in the clip and the kind of mood they create.

It is in triple meter Signup and view all the answers

Select all the ways in which the start of Variation 3 differs from the start of Variation 1 in Haydn's Surprise Symphony.

Theme is played in faster staccato notes Signup and view all the answers

Which pattern describes the exposition (opening section) of the sonata-rondo form?

A B A Signup and view all the answers

Select all the statements about the fourth movement of Haydn's Symphony No. 94 in G Major.

It is in sonata-rondo form Signup and view all the answers

Select all the characteristics of the second movement of a classical symphony.

It is often in a key other than the tonic key Signup and view all the answers

Which movement of a classical symphony tends to be the most dramatic?

The first movement Signup and view all the answers

What form does the finale of a concerto usually take?

Rondo Signup and view all the answers

Select all the statements that describe the cadenza in most classical concertos.

Orchestra momentarily stops playing Signup and view all the answers

What effect is created when the first movement of a classical symphony begins with a slow introduction leading into the opening fast movement?

A feeling of anticipation Signup and view all the answers

Select all the typical ensembles other than the string quartet that played chamber music in the classical era.

Violin, cello, and piano (a piano trio) Signup and view all the answers

In a concerto, the ______ opens the first movement with the introductory exposition.

orchestra Signup and view all the answers

Select all the statements about Haydn's early career.

Entered service of the Esterházy family Signup and view all the answers

Select all the descriptions of the main theme heard here.

It is lively in a 'Gypsy' style Signup and view all the answers

What is a cadenza?

An unaccompanied solo that appears in the first movement of a concerto Signup and view all the answers

Select all the statements that describe classical chamber music.

Performed without a conductor Signup and view all the answers

Select all the assessments of Haydn's musical style.

Influenced by folk music and love of nature Signup and view all the answers

Select all the statements about Haydn in his later career.

His music became popular all over Europe Signup and view all the answers

Select all the descriptions that apply to this first movement of Haydn's Symphony No. 94 in G Major (Surprise).

Vivace assai Signup and view all the answers

Select all the statements that describe the third movement of Haydn's Symphony No. 94 in G Major.

The form is A B A Signup and view all the answers

Chamber music of the classical era has the same pattern of movements as a symphony, but it differs in what way?

Sometimes the minuet and trio is the second movement, and the slow movement is the third. Signup and view all the answers

Select all the characteristics of Haydn's technique of composing.

Created variety through changes in texture, key, and dynamics Signup and view all the answers

Select all the statements about the tempo, meter, and mood in this section from Haydn's Symphony No. 94 in G Major.

Rhythm is in groups of three, meter is 6/8 Signup and view all the answers

What is unusual about the minuet of Haydn's Symphony No. 94 (Surprise)?

Its fast tempo Signup and view all the answers

How many movements do classical symphonies usually have?

Four Signup and view all the answers

How does Haydn signal the start of the variation on theme B in the third movement of his Trumpet Concerto in E Flat Major?

A held trumpet tone Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are considered Haydn's most important works?

His symphonies Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about Mozart's final years and premature death is accurate?

The failure of the opera Don Giovanni in Vienna led to a decline in Mozart's popularity. Signup and view all the answers

Select all the instrument families that play the slow introduction to the first movement of Haydn's Surprise Symphony.

Strings Signup and view all the answers

Select all the languages in which Mozart wrote his operas.

German Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Classical Music Characteristics

Emerged as a reaction to the complexity of baroque works, showcasing simpler forms.
Mood controlled through contrasting themes, enabling expressiveness while maintaining clarity.
Rhythmic variety is prominent, unlike baroque's limited patterns, allowing for dynamic contrast.
Texture is predominantly homophonic, with flexible shifts between textures, enhancing musical expression.

Melodic Structure

Typical classical melodies feature two phrases of equal length, with the second phrase often conclusive.
Classical composers employed crescendos and decrescendos for gradual volume changes to enhance emotional expression.

Key Composers

Notable composers include Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven, integral to the classical era's development.
Viennese aristocrats significantly influenced classical music, leading to the establishment of Vienna as its cultural center.

Orchestral Elements

Classical orchestras included strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion, with increasing use of clarinets.
Exposition in sonata form introduces conflict between keys and themes; development section creates harmonic tension.

Compositional Forms

Sonata form consists of exposition, development, and recapitulation, often concluding with a coda for resolution.
Rondo and theme-and-variations forms highlight a main theme interspersed with contrasting themes or variations.
The minuet-and-trio form typically follows a pattern of minuet → trio → minuet, emphasizing dance rhythms.

Influence of the Middle Class

Middle-class tastes influenced classical music through accessible compositions, comic operas, and the incorporation of folk themes.
Public concerts became essential, providing opportunities for the middle class to engage with music traditionally reserved for aristocracy.

Haydn and Mozart

Haydn's works combine humor and depth, showcasing significant diversity in texture and dynamics.
Mozart's operas are renowned for their emotional depth and character portrayal, incorporating humor and serious themes, making extensive use of melody to express character emotions.

Instrumentation and Techniques

Instrument families playing classical pieces included strings, woodwinds, and brass, each contributing to the overall texture.
Cadenzas in concertos highlight soloists, involving dazzling displays of technique in contrasting sections.

Understanding Classical Works

The slow introduction in symphonies creates anticipation leading into faster movements, while the dynamic range is often marked by contrasts such as forte and piano.
Performers in chamber music generally played without a conductor and in smaller ensembles, focusing on intimate musical sharing.

Legacy of Classical Music

The classical era laid groundwork for future music styles, with its emphasis on structure, thematic development, and emotional expression.
Artists like Haydn and Mozart not only shaped the musical landscape but also left behind a legacy that influenced generations of composers.

Summary of Haydn's Career

Haydn's early career involved service to the Esterházy family, where he composed a vast array of works, gaining recognition across Europe.
His later works achieved popularity, showcasing his ability to adapt to changing musical tastes, particularly during his time in London.

Mozart's Impact

As a child prodigy, Mozart demonstrated exceptional talents early on, composing operas and symphonies by adolescence.
His operatic style and character portrayals remain influential, defined by engaging melodies and dramatic effectiveness.### Mozart's Career and Works
At 25, Mozart left Salzburg and found success as a freelance performer and composer in Vienna.
"The Magic Flute" is widely regarded as Mozart's finest opera in German.

Musical Elements in Don Giovanni

Sudden, loud accents by strings highlight Leporello's pacing and contribute to the comic tone.
The shift from major to minor key enhances mood changes within the scenes.
Quick, sweeping runs and tremolo in strings create tension and suspense.

Forms and Techniques in Classical Symphonies

Haydn's Symphony No. 94 incorporates both Sonata and Rondo forms in its fourth movement.
Mozart uses meter changes (from 4/4 to 3/4) to differentiate Leporello's narrative style in the "catalog" aria.

Characteristics of Arias and Themes

In the aria "La ci darem la mano," phrases are legato and flowing, featuring a moderate andante tempo.
Changes in tempo and mood from allegro to andante are significant in other arias from "Don Giovanni."

Symphony No. 40 in G Minor Insights

The trio section of the third movement concludes with a return to the minuet, showcasing structural balance.
Uses of rhythmic figures as a countermelody contribute to distinct tonal colors in the Symphony's development section.

Dramatic Significance in Don Giovanni

Changes in meter (from 2/4 to 3/4) signify Zerlina's decision to accompany Don Giovanni.
A long dissonant chord underscores the suspense at the moment of Don Giovanni's fatal duel with the Commandant.

Comparison of Musical Sections

The trio in the third movement of Symphony No. 40 contrasts with the minuet through shifts in key, dynamics, and overall mood, transitioning from serious to airy elements.

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Description

Explore the key concepts of classical music through these flashcards. Understand the differences between classical and baroque styles, the use of mood, and rhythmic variations. This quiz is perfect for music enthusiasts looking to deepen their knowledge of classical music.