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Questions and Answers
What years does the stylistic period of Classicism in western music cover?
What years does the stylistic period of Classicism in western music cover?
1750-1820
Which of the following composers is not considered a master of the classical period?
Which of the following composers is not considered a master of the classical period?
- Haydn
- Johann Christian Bach (correct)
- Beethoven
- Mozart
Which of the following statements is not true about composers in the classical period?
Which of the following statements is not true about composers in the classical period?
- They continued to use terraced dynamics. (correct)
- They wrote in a homophonic texture.
- They composed for large orchestras.
- They used terraced dynamics.
Which of the following characteristics is not typical of the music of the classical period?
Which of the following characteristics is not typical of the music of the classical period?
What instruments were typically found in a classical period orchestra?
What instruments were typically found in a classical period orchestra?
Political and economic power shifted to the middle class from the aristocracy and the _____.
Political and economic power shifted to the middle class from the aristocracy and the _____.
What luxuries did the prospering middle class seek during the classical period?
What luxuries did the prospering middle class seek during the classical period?
To which aristocratic family did Joseph Haydn serve most of his life?
To which aristocratic family did Joseph Haydn serve most of his life?
In the classical period, comic operas sometimes ridiculed the _____.
In the classical period, comic operas sometimes ridiculed the _____.
In Vienna, who became close friends?
In Vienna, who became close friends?
Which of the following is not part of a sonata form movement?
Which of the following is not part of a sonata form movement?
Sonata form consists of three main sections: exposition, development, and _____.
Sonata form consists of three main sections: exposition, development, and _____.
What are short musical ideas or fragments of themes that are developed within a composition called?
What are short musical ideas or fragments of themes that are developed within a composition called?
What is the concluding section often called in a sonata-form movement?
What is the concluding section often called in a sonata-form movement?
Who is the composer of Symphony No. 40 in G Minor?
Who is the composer of Symphony No. 40 in G Minor?
Which of the following instrument groups is NOT heard in Symphony No. 40 in G Minor?
Which of the following instrument groups is NOT heard in Symphony No. 40 in G Minor?
In sonata form, what sections does Symphony No. 40 in G Minor feature?
In sonata form, what sections does Symphony No. 40 in G Minor feature?
Theme-and-variations form may be schematically outlined as _____.
Theme-and-variations form may be schematically outlined as _____.
The _________ movement of the Surprise Symphony is in theme-and-variations form.
The _________ movement of the Surprise Symphony is in theme-and-variations form.
What is the 'surprise' in the Surprise Symphony?
What is the 'surprise' in the Surprise Symphony?
Who is the composer of the 'Surprise' Symphony?
Who is the composer of the 'Surprise' Symphony?
The minuet-and-trio movement is in ____________ form.
The minuet-and-trio movement is in ____________ form.
The movement of a symphony that is often patterned after a dance is the _____.
The movement of a symphony that is often patterned after a dance is the _____.
The minuet is in _______ meter.
The minuet is in _______ meter.
In many of Beethoven's works, there is a _______ movement instead of the minuet.
In many of Beethoven's works, there is a _______ movement instead of the minuet.
The scherzo differs from the minuet in that it ____.
The scherzo differs from the minuet in that it ____.
A _____________ is a musical composition that is usually light in mood, and meant for evening entertainment.
A _____________ is a musical composition that is usually light in mood, and meant for evening entertainment.
Who is the composer of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik - 3rd Movement?
Who is the composer of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik - 3rd Movement?
How is the accompaniment played in the opening minuet of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik - 3rd Movement?
How is the accompaniment played in the opening minuet of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik - 3rd Movement?
How does the melody in the trio section contrast with the minuet in Eine Kleine Nachtmusik - 3rd Movement?
How does the melody in the trio section contrast with the minuet in Eine Kleine Nachtmusik - 3rd Movement?
The rondo may be schematically outlined as ____.
The rondo may be schematically outlined as ____.
In Beethoven's String Quartet in C Minor, which instrument(s) play the melody in the opening section?
In Beethoven's String Quartet in C Minor, which instrument(s) play the melody in the opening section?
Which thematic section does this music represent in Beethoven's String Quartet in C Minor?
Which thematic section does this music represent in Beethoven's String Quartet in C Minor?
A symphony may be defined as _____.
A symphony may be defined as _____.
What is the usual order of movements in a classical symphony?
What is the usual order of movements in a classical symphony?
The first movement of a classical symphony is almost always fast, and in _____ form.
The first movement of a classical symphony is almost always fast, and in _____ form.
Which of the following statements is not true of the symphony?
Which of the following statements is not true of the symphony?
The lyrical slow movement of a symphony is most often the ____.
The lyrical slow movement of a symphony is most often the ____.
A concerto is a large-scale work in several movements for ____.
A concerto is a large-scale work in several movements for ____.
Which of the following statements is not true about classical concertos?
Which of the following statements is not true about classical concertos?
The favored solo instrument in the classical concerto was the ____.
The favored solo instrument in the classical concerto was the ____.
The essence of a classical concerto is the ____.
The essence of a classical concerto is the ____.
What is the typical sequence of movements in a classical concerto?
What is the typical sequence of movements in a classical concerto?
The classical concerto differs from the symphony in that it does not have a ___________ movement.
The classical concerto differs from the symphony in that it does not have a ___________ movement.
A brilliant solo section in a concerto designed to display the performer's virtuosity is called a _____.
A brilliant solo section in a concerto designed to display the performer's virtuosity is called a _____.
A pause in the score of a concerto, preceding a cadenza, is indicated by a ____.
A pause in the score of a concerto, preceding a cadenza, is indicated by a ____.
Classical chamber music is designed for ____.
Classical chamber music is designed for ____.
What is the most important form of classical chamber music?
What is the most important form of classical chamber music?
A major factor that distinguishes chamber music from symphony or concerto is that chamber music ____.
A major factor that distinguishes chamber music from symphony or concerto is that chamber music ____.
The classical string quartet consists of ____.
The classical string quartet consists of ____.
Haydn had a long and fruitful relationship with which noble family?
Haydn had a long and fruitful relationship with which noble family?
Which of the following was not one of Haydn's duties while in the service of the Esterházys?
Which of the following was not one of Haydn's duties while in the service of the Esterházys?
Haydn's contract of employment shows that he was viewed as a ____.
Haydn's contract of employment shows that he was viewed as a ____.
Although Haydn spent most of his time in Hungary, he often traveled to ________, where his music was performed often and greatly admired.
Although Haydn spent most of his time in Hungary, he often traveled to ________, where his music was performed often and greatly admired.
What are the titles of Haydn's two popular oratorios?
What are the titles of Haydn's two popular oratorios?
Haydn was a prolific composer, with 68 string quartets and ____.
Haydn was a prolific composer, with 68 string quartets and ____.
Along with his symphonies, what other works are considered Haydn's most important contributions?
Along with his symphonies, what other works are considered Haydn's most important contributions?
Mozart was born in ____.
Mozart was born in ____.
Which of the following statements is not true of Mozart in his later years?
Which of the following statements is not true of Mozart in his later years?
Between six and fifteen, Mozart was continually on tour in _____.
Between six and fifteen, Mozart was continually on tour in _____.
At the age of twenty-five, Mozart tried to find fame and fortune by moving to _____.
At the age of twenty-five, Mozart tried to find fame and fortune by moving to _____.
Mozart composed his Requiem on commission from a ____.
Mozart composed his Requiem on commission from a ____.
Mozart's Requiem was finished by ____.
Mozart's Requiem was finished by ____.
Which of the following is not one of Mozart's three masterpieces of Italian opera?
Which of the following is not one of Mozart's three masterpieces of Italian opera?
In the opening scene of Don Giovanni, does the music remain the same or does it change?
In the opening scene of Don Giovanni, does the music remain the same or does it change?
Does the music in Don Giovanni fit the description of an opera buffa?
Does the music in Don Giovanni fit the description of an opera buffa?
How is the sung text treated in the opening excerpt from Don Giovanni?
How is the sung text treated in the opening excerpt from Don Giovanni?
What helps to distinguish the different characters in the opening scene of Don Giovanni?
What helps to distinguish the different characters in the opening scene of Don Giovanni?
How many characters are singing in the opening scene excerpt of Don Giovanni?
How many characters are singing in the opening scene excerpt of Don Giovanni?
What genre is Don Giovanni?
What genre is Don Giovanni?
In Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23, what does this excerpt feature?
In Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23, what does this excerpt feature?
How long does it take for the piano to begin playing in Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23?
How long does it take for the piano to begin playing in Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23?
During the cadenza in a concerto, the pianist ____.
During the cadenza in a concerto, the pianist ____.
The Third Symphony of Beethoven was originally composed to commemorate the deeds of _____ as the embodiment of heroism and democratic ideals.
The Third Symphony of Beethoven was originally composed to commemorate the deeds of _____ as the embodiment of heroism and democratic ideals.
Which of the following statements about Beethoven is not true?
Which of the following statements about Beethoven is not true?
Beethoven's sixteen __________ are generally considered among the greatest music ever composed.
Beethoven's sixteen __________ are generally considered among the greatest music ever composed.
Beethoven is often credited as being the ____.
Beethoven is often credited as being the ____.
What is the title of Beethoven's only opera?
What is the title of Beethoven's only opera?
In Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, what happens after the famous four tones?
In Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, what happens after the famous four tones?
What new feature is introduced in the recapitulation of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 - 1st movement?
What new feature is introduced in the recapitulation of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 - 1st movement?
Which of the following statements about the coda in Beethoven's symphony is true?
Which of the following statements about the coda in Beethoven's symphony is true?
What is the structure of the principal theme in Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 - 1st movement?
What is the structure of the principal theme in Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 - 1st movement?
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Study Notes
Classicism in Music
- The Classicism stylistic period in Western music spanned from 1750 to 1820.
- Key composers include Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven.
- Johann Christian Bach is not recognized as a master of the classical period.
Characteristics of Classical Music
- Terraced dynamics, used in earlier music, were not prevalent in classical compositions.
- Classical music is primarily homophonic, not polyphonic.
- The typical orchestra included strings, woodwinds, horns, trumpets, and timpani.
Socioeconomic Context
- The middle class gained political and economic power, supplanting the aristocracy and the church.
- The prosperous middle class sought access to luxuries like theater, literature, and music.
Joseph Haydn
- Haydn devoted much of his life to the Esterházy family, a wealthy aristocratic family.
- He integrated comic elements into his operas, humorously criticizing the aristocracy.
- Haydn had a notable relationship with the noble family of Esterházy.
Sonata Form and Structure
- Sonata form consists of exposition, development, and recapitulation.
- The final section of a sonata-form movement is known as the coda.
- Motives are short musical ideas that undergo development within compositions.
Symphony and Concerto
- A classical symphony typically has four movements: fast, slow, dance-related, and fast.
- The first movement is usually fast and in sonata form, while the lyrical second movement often follows.
- A concerto features a soloist accompanied by an orchestra, with the interplay being essential to its structure.
- The favored solo instrument in the classical concerto was the piano.
Rondo and Theme-and-Variations
- Rondo form is schematically outlined as ABACABA.
- Theme-and-variations are structured as AA'A''A'''A''''.
Beethoven's Contributions
- Beethoven’s work symbolizes the transition between the classical and romantic periods.
- His only opera, "Fidelio," is well-known, along with his 16 string quartets regarded as masterpieces.
- The Third Symphony was originally composed to honor Napoleon Bonaparte as a hero.
Mozart's Legacy
- Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria, and was a child prodigy who toured Europe extensively.
- He is known for his three Italian operas, with "Don Giovanni" being a significant work that instantaneously shifts in musical style during scenes.
- His Requiem was unfinished at his death and completed by a pupil.
Chamber Music
- Classical chamber music is performed in small settings, with the string quartet being the most significant form.
- In chamber music, typically one player per part performs, differentiating it from symphonies and concertos.
Cadenza and Fermata
- A cadenza is a dazzling solo passage in a concerto, showcasing the performer's skill.
- A fermata indicates a pause before a cadenza in the score.
Historical Context
- The classical period was marked by a shift in power dynamics, with a growing influence of the middle class and new cultural expressions through music, reflecting the societal changes of the era.
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