Questions and Answers
What is a coda?
What does fortissimo mean?
To be played very loudly
What is pianissimo?
To be performed very softly
Who was Ludwig van Beethoven?
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Who was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart?
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What is Joseph Haydn known as?
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What is sonata allegro form?
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What is a classical concerto?
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What is a cadenza?
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What defines absolute music?
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What are the key characteristics of the classical period?
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What does the term 'romanticism' refer to?
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The classical period dates from 1750 to 1825.
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What forms the main structure in sonata-allegro form?
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What did Beethoven change in sonata-form works?
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Study Notes
Musical Terms and Concepts
- Coda: Closing section of a musical composition that completes a piece.
- Fortissimo: Instruction for music to be played very loudly; opposite of pianissimo.
- Pianissimo: Instruction for music to be performed very softly; opposite of fortissimo.
- Cadenza: Ornamental passage performed by a soloist, typically near the final cadence.
- Sonata: Musical composition for one or two instruments, usually with three or four movements in varied rhythms but related tonality.
Prominent Composers
- Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): Key figure in romantic music; composed 9 symphonies, faced deafness but transformed musical expression. Died at age 57, renowned.
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791): Austrian child prodigy; composed operas, symphonies, and chamber music. Died broke at 35 but highly influential.
- Joseph Haydn (1732-1809): Prolific composer known as the "Father of the Symphony" and "Father of the String Quartet"; emphasized broad appeal in music and included humor in compositions.
Classical Music Forms
- Sonata Allegro Form: Common structure for the first movement of larger works, including introduction, exposition, development, and recapitulation, ending with a coda.
- Concerto: Three-movement work for solo instrument accompanied by an orchestra.
- Symphony: Extended orchestral work, usually in four movements.
- Chamber Ensembles: Small groups of musicians performing without a conductor, such as trios and quartets.
Styles and Characteristics
- Absolute Music: Music that exists independently of extra-musical narratives or images.
- Program Music: Instrumental music intended to evoke ideas, images, or narratives.
- Classicism: Style emphasizing clarity, balance, and formality modeled after ancient Greek and Roman principles.
- Romanticism: Artistic movement celebrating nature and emotional depth, contrasting with classical restraint.
Musical Structures
- Binary: Composition with two contrasting sections.
- Ternary: Musical form featuring three sections (ABA) with the first and last repeating while contrasting the middle.
- Minuet and Trio: A ternary form typically used as the third movement in classical compositions.
- Rondo: Form featuring a recurring theme interspersed with contrasting sections (e.g., ABACA).
Notable Works
- Beethoven's 5th Symphony: Known for its iconic 4-note motive, structured in sonata allegro form.
- Beethoven's 9th Symphony: Famous for incorporating soloists and chorus; based on Schiller's "Ode to Joy".
- Don Giovanni: Mozart's opera depicting the life of the infamous Don Juan, ends with his descent into hell.
Key Concepts
- Scherzo: Fast movement replacing the minuet in later classical works.
- Variations: Sections that repeat a theme with alterations in melody, harmony, or rhythm.
- Solo Concerto: Features a single instrument in dialogue with the orchestra.
- Characterization of Classical Period: Homophonic texture, clear harmonic structures, and the inclusion of elements like alberti bass.
Historical Context
- Classical Period (1750-1825): Marked the emergence of lighter textures and forms, moving towards romantic ideals.
- The Enlightenment: Intellectual movement highlighting reason and scientific thinking over tradition and religious beliefs.
- Influential Figure Styles: Haydn prioritized broad appeal and flexibility; Beethoven was known for innovation and heavier sounds; Mozart excelled in lyrical melodies and balanced structures.
These concepts and figures provide a foundation for understanding the classical music era and its prominent contributions to the art form.
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Test your knowledge of key terms from the Classical Era in music with this flashcard quiz. Each card presents a musical term along with its definition, helping you deepen your understanding of musical composition and performance techniques.