Classical Period Unit Test Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What does the term 'Classical' mean?

It refers to the Western canon of music.

It refers to music based on ancient traditions.

It refers to the musical period from 1750-1820. (correct)

It describes a style of jazz music.

What did Classical music focus on?

Clarity, simplicity, balance.

What was the 'Age of Enlightenment' or 'Age of Reason'?

Philosophies and classical traditions of Ancient Greece and Rome

Name three wars and their dates from the Classical period.

<ol> <li>The Seven Years' War: 1756-1763, 2. French and Indian Wars in America: 1754-1763, 3. The War of 1812: 1812-1815</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What major changes happened during the Classical period?

Population explosion in Europe, roads and travel become easier, urbanization, school growth. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Industrial Revolution?

People moved to cities to work in factories. Signup and view all the answers

Why was there a decline of musical patronage?

There was a shift to publishing houses as the middle class grew. Signup and view all the answers

How did music publishers put pressure on composers?

Publishing houses became established and influenced composers, promoting specific works. Signup and view all the answers

Why did the church begin to lose clout with the common people?

Because of the reformations. Signup and view all the answers

What two countries were the centers of musical activity?

Austria, Germany Signup and view all the answers

What caused the rise of the middle class?

The Industrial Revolution. Signup and view all the answers

Why did public concerts grow during the Classical period?

Concert halls and opera houses became established institutions accessible to all classes. Signup and view all the answers

What were 'subscription concerts'?

Prepaid tickets for concerts. Signup and view all the answers

Name three major inventions during the Classical period.

<ol> <li>The Steam Engine, 2. The Cotton Gin, 3. The Spinning Jenny</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What was the Rococo style?

Pre-classical style, old-fashioned style. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Empfindsamer Stil?

AKA: 'Sensitive Style'; it aimed to express 'true and natural' feelings. Signup and view all the answers

What was the style Galant?

'Elegant and courtly style'. Signup and view all the answers

List J.S. Bach's three important sons of the Classical period.

<ol> <li>Wilhelm Friedemann Bach: 1710-1784, 2. Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach: 1714-1788, 3. Johann Christian Bach: 1735-1782</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Describe how the international style developed.

It spread as composers moved to cultural centers. Signup and view all the answers

Which form of music was more important during the Classical period?

Instrumental. Signup and view all the answers

Was Classical music mostly polyphonic or homophonic?

Homophonic. Signup and view all the answers

Why did composers stay away from descriptive titles during the Classical period?

Classical music was more abstract and avoided representation unlike Baroque music. Signup and view all the answers

Why did basso continuo disappear during the Classical period?

Because new instruments emerged. Signup and view all the answers

Music was written in phrases, double periods, with cadences, and clearly marked sections. Why?

Classical music leaned towards balance and simplicity rather than complexity. Signup and view all the answers

Why did composers write out ornaments and improvisations?

To add animation and compensate for slower rhythms. Signup and view all the answers

Composers began to use more than one emotion in sections and even phrases. Why?

They believed that human feelings were constantly in flux, often multi-emotional. Signup and view all the answers

List characteristics of Classical music: melody, rhythm, harmony, form, texture, timbre, and dynamics.

Melody: more compact; rhythm: strong and steady beat; harmony: changes; etc. Signup and view all the answers

What is absolute music?

No added musical ideas. Signup and view all the answers

Name the three great Viennese Classical composers and their dates.

<ol> <li>Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791), 2. Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809), 3. Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827)</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Were all of the Viennese Classical composers born in Vienna?

False Signup and view all the answers

Why did musicians and artists flood to Vienna during the Classical Period?

The potential sponsorship of the Habsburg dynasty lead artists there. Signup and view all the answers

What were Franz Joseph Haydn's dates and what stands out about his life work?

1732-1809; father of Classical Symphony. Signup and view all the answers

What were Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's dates and what stands out about his works?

1756-1791; he began composing as a child; child prodigy. Signup and view all the answers

What were Ludwig Van Beethoven's dates and what stands out about his works?

1770-1827; lead the transition to the romantic period. Signup and view all the answers

What is binary form?

AB - two part. Signup and view all the answers

What is ternary form?

ABA - three part. Signup and view all the answers

What is rounded binary form?

ABA1 - a recurrence in the 2nd part of the form. Signup and view all the answers

What is rondo form?

ABACABA - a recurrence in the 2nd part of the form. Signup and view all the answers

What is sonata rondo form?

ABA C ABA. Signup and view all the answers

What is sonata allegro form?

Exposition, development, recapitulation. Sometimes a Coda. Signup and view all the answers

What is a concerto?

Work for solo instruments with orchestral accompaniment. Signup and view all the answers

What is a symphony?

Sonata for orchestra. Signup and view all the answers

What is variation form?

A series of modified versions of a theme are presented; A A1 A2 A3. Signup and view all the answers

What is concerto gross?

A concerto for about 2 or 3 solo instruments with orchestral accompaniment. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between sonata form and sonata-allegro form?

Sonata allegro: one movement of sonata; Sonata: four movements. Signup and view all the answers

How many movements are in a traditional symphony?

<ol start="4"> <li></li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What is alberti bass?

A bass part that provides harmonic support for melody in upper voice but is not very engaging. Signup and view all the answers

Was the harpsichord or piano used during the Classical Period?

Both were used, but the harpsichord was sought out more. Signup and view all the answers

Describe what the traditional Classical orchestra looked like.

Strings were dominant; woodwinds, brass, and percussion were in pairs. Signup and view all the answers

What is chamber music? Why was it so important during the Classical period?

It was a small ensemble that could be played in homes or small places. Signup and view all the answers

What was the most important chamber music medium during the Classical period?

String quartet. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between recitative 'accompagnato' and recitative 'secco'?

Recitative 'accompagnato' is accompanied by the orchestra, while recitative 'secco' is accompanied by continuo. Signup and view all the answers

What is a da capo aria?

Ternary (ABA) form. The text for both A sections is exactly the same. Signup and view all the answers

What is a German Lied or Lieder?

Art song. Signup and view all the answers

Why did opera go through significant reform during the Classical period?

To better express human emotion and to modernize the operatic form. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the 'father of Opera Reform'?

Gluck. Signup and view all the answers

What is opera seria?

Serious or tragic opera. Signup and view all the answers

What is opera buffa or opera comique?

Comical opera, often likened to SNL. Signup and view all the answers

What is an oratorio?

A sacred major work without scenery, props, or costumes. Signup and view all the answers

Why was there a decline in religious or liturgical music during the Classical period?

Secular music began to gain more popularity. Signup and view all the answers

What two instruments were most popular in the New World?

Violin and Flute. Signup and view all the answers

Why did men and women continue to use European music in the New World?

It was the only music they originally had. Signup and view all the answers

What music is considered the first American music?

African-American Spirituals. Signup and view all the answers

What are African American spirituals? What were they used for?

Slave hymns. Signup and view all the answers

What was the first book printed in the New World?

Bay Psalm Book. Signup and view all the answers

Who was William Billings?

Composer in America. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the Puritans?

Calvinists in New England. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the Moravians?

German-speaking Protestants. Signup and view all the answers

Did women and children sing publicly during the colonial period?

False Signup and view all the answers

The Puritans and the Moravians came to the New World seeking religious freedom.

True Signup and view all the answers

The church gained substantial influence during the Classical era.

False Signup and view all the answers

Describe the basic elements during the Classical period.

Rhythm: simple, steady, and straightforward. Signup and view all the answers

What is an accompagnada?

An accompany. Signup and view all the answers

In what way did the rise of the middle class impact music during the Classical period?

More people were interested in hearing and playing music, leading to expanded markets for printed music. Signup and view all the answers

There was a musical patronage.

True Signup and view all the answers

Who was the transitional composer from Classical to romantic?

Beethoven. Signup and view all the answers

Why was it so important for chamber music to be composed for small ensembles?

Because people wanted to be able to play it in the home. Signup and view all the answers

Which chamber music type was most common?

String quartets. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Classical Period Overview

The Classical period spans from 1750 to 1820, characterized by clarity, simplicity, and balance in music.
The term "classical" also refers to the Western canon of music.

Age of Enlightenment

Marked philosophies and classical traditions influenced by Ancient Greece and Rome.
Saw a rise in democracy, alongside significant historical conflicts such as the Seven Years' War (1756-1763), French and Indian Wars (1754-1763), and the War of 1812 (1812-1815).

Population growth in Europe led to improved transportation and urbanization.
The Industrial Revolution shifted labor from rural areas to cities, fostering the rise of the middle class and altering musical patronage dynamics.

Musical Landscape

Vienna and Germany became central to musical activity during this period.
Public concerts emerged as established institutions, making music accessible to a wider audience.
Subscription concerts introduced prepaid tickets for attendees.

Trends and Characteristics

Music composition emphasized balance, symmetry, and clarity with phrasing techniques designed for rhythm and melody.
Instrumental music gained prominence over vocal forms; homophonic textures became more common.
Composers began using multiple emotions within their works, reflecting the complexity of human feelings.

Notable Composers

Three influential Viennese Classical composers include Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791), Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809), and Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827).
Karl Philipp Emanuel Bach and Johann Christian Bach were notable sons of J.S. Bach, making their mark during this era.

Musical Forms and Structures

Common forms included binary (AB), ternary (ABA), rounded binary (ABA1), and sonata-allegro (exposition, development, recapitulation).
Concertos featured solo instruments with orchestral support; symphonies served as sonatas for orchestras.

Chamber Music

Chamber music, especially string quartets, was significant due to the intimate performance settings in homes.
The traditional orchestra comprised predominantly strings, with pairs of woodwinds, brass, and percussion.

Opera and Vocal Music

Opera underwent reforms led by composers like Glück, transitioning from opera seria (serious) to opera buffa (comical).
The oratorio emerged as a major sacred genre, distinct from liturgical practices which declined in popularity.

New World Music

Violin and flute became popular instruments in the New World, with European music remaining dominant due to its initial introduction.
African-American spirituals were recognized as the first form of American music, emerging from the experiences of slavery.

Cultural Developments

Religious groups such as the Puritans and Moravians sought religious freedom in the New World, leading to unique musical developments.
Women and children had limited opportunities to sing publicly due to societal constraints.

Summary of Musical Elements

The Classical period was defined by straightforward rhythmic patterns, structured forms, and the prioritization of melody and harmony.
The shift from patronage systems to markets oriented to the growing middle class significantly influenced musicianship and accessibility to music.

Closing Note

Beethoven is acknowledged as the transitional figure leading from the Classical to the Romantic period, reflecting broader changes in artistic expression and cultural values.

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Test your knowledge on the Classical Period of music from 1750 to 1820 with these flashcards. Explore key concepts, definitions, and significant aspects such as the Age of Enlightenment and the characteristics of Classical music. Perfect for students or music enthusiasts!