Classical Period Music Quiz (1750-1820)

Classical Period Music (1750-1820)

• Era also known as the "Age of Reason"
• Aristocracy heavily influenced musical and artistic life
• Significant changes in musical forms and styles
• "Classical" term reflects conformity to ancient Greek and Roman principles (formal, elegant, simple, dignified)
• Harmony and textures generally homophonic

Sonata

• Multi-movement work for solo instrument
• Derived from "sonare" (to make a sound)
• Versatile form, applicable to various solo instruments (keyboard, violin)
• Three typical movements:
  • 1st: Allegro (fast)
  • 2nd: Slow tempo (Andante, Largo, etc.), lyrical and emotional
  • 3rd: Minuet (moderate or fast tempo), a dance form

Sonata Allegro Form

• Dominant form during the Classical era
• Structure composed of three distinct sections:
  • 1. Exposition: Introduction of the theme
  • 2. Development: Middle section, themes are developed
  • 3. Recapitulation: Repeats the theme, introduced in the exposition

Concerto

• Multi-movement work for soloist and orchestra
• Three movements:
  • 1st: Fast (Sonata-allegro form, with interplay between soloist and orchestra)
  • 2nd: Slow (More ornamentation than the first movement)
  • 3rd: Fast (Finale, often in rondo form, with a possible cadenza for the soloist)

Symphony

• Multi-movement work for orchestra
• Derived from "Sinfonia" (harmonious sounding together)
• Typically in four movements:
  • 1st: Fast (Sonata-allegro form)
  • 2nd: Slow (Gentle, lyrical, typical ABA form or theme and variations)
  • 3rd: Medium/Fast (Dance form, Minuet or scherzo)
  • 4th: Fast (Rondo or Sonata form)

Classical Opera

• Two main styles:
  • Opera Seria: serious, heroic, or tragic opera, with mythological characters (inherited from Baroque)
  • Opera Buffa: comic opera, using everyday characters and situations, often with spoken dialogue, arias, and comedic elements

Franz Joseph Haydn

• Prominent Classical composer
• "Father of the Symphony"
• Famous for symphonies with nicknames (e.g., Surprise Symphony, Clock Symphony, Military Symphony)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

• Child prodigy and highly influential composer
• Composed over 700 works in various genres
• Known for concertos, symphonies, and operas (e.g., The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, The Magic Flute)

Ludwig van Beethoven

• Bridge between Classical and Romantic eras
• Prolific and influential composer
• Became deaf but continued composing
• Famous for symphonies, including No. 3 (Eroica), No. 5, No. 6 (Pastoral), No. 9 (Choral), Piano Sonatas (e.g., Moonlight Sonata), Piano Concertos (Emperor Concerto), and other works

Classical Era Generalization

• Classical music often associated with the nobility
• Nobility funded musicians
• Music played in courts
• This association still exists in parts of the world today
• Advancements in technology (e.g., radio, TV) expanded access to classical music for the masses.

Test your knowledge of the Classical Period in music, covering the era from 1750 to 1820. This quiz will explore the significant changes in musical forms, the sonata structure, and the sonata allegro form that defined this influential period. Challenge yourself and learn more about this pivotal era of musical history.