Classical Music Terminology Flashcards

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.