Questions and Answers
Which composers are associated with the Classical period?
Which composers are associated with the Romantic period?
What are some characteristics of Classical music?
Symmetrical, tuneful, diatonic, narrow leaps.
What are some key features of Romantic music?
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Classical music favors rhythmic diversity and elasticity.
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What genre features large scales like Symphony and Solo Concerto in Classical music?
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What are characteristic forms of Romantic music?
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What social class was primarily associated with the Romantic era?
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What type of dynamics did Classical music utilize?
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What dynamics are characteristic of Romantic music?
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What period did Classical music span?
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What period did Romantic music span?
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What is one feature of Classical instrumentation?
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Romantic music introduced new instruments like ______.
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Improvisation was a key feature of Classical music.
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What emotional approach characterizes Classical music?
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What emotional elements are emphasized in Romantic music?
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Study Notes
Classical Era
- Composed by prominent figures: Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert
- Characterized by symmetrical and tuneful melodies, often using diatonic scales and narrow leaps
- Features clear, recurring accents and favored dance rhythms
- Utilizes diatonic harmony with expanded tonic-dominant relationships to form large-scale compositions
- Primarily homophonic texture, focusing on vertical chords
- Common forms include symphony, solo concerto, solo sonata, string quartet, and chamber music
- Operas, masses, and oratorios were significant musical forms
- Predominantly uses ternary form, sonata-allegro, and mainly absolute forms
- Audience consisted mainly of the aristocracy
- Employs dynamic changes through crescendo and decrescendo
- Tone and color change between sections of the piece
- Orchestras comprised string sections with woodwinds and brass, typically 30-40 members; rise of the piano was notable
- Improvisation was limited to cadenzas, with virtuosity primarily showcased in concertos
- Emphasizes emotional balance and restraint during performances
- Era spans from 1750 to 1825
Romantic Era
- Notable composers: Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Chopin, Berlioz, Brahms, Tchaikovsky
- Emphasizes expansive and singing melodies, often with wide-ranging and chromatic elements
- Rhythmic diversity and elasticity become prominent; use of tempo rubato is common
- Increased chromaticism leads to expanded concepts of tonality
- Texture remains primarily homophonic but transitions to polyphonic elements later
- Maintains large genres like symphony and includes the symphonic poem and solo piano works
- Continues traditional operas, masses, and oratorios but includes solo voice and piano/orchestra arrangements
- Expansion of musical forms, introducing continuous and miniature program forms
- Audience demographic shifts to the middle class
- Dynamic range is widely varied, creating more expressive performances
- Continuous blending of tone colors with experimentation in instrumentation and ranges
- Introduction of new instruments like tuba, English horn, harp, and piccolo, with the piano taking a central role
- Increased demands for virtuosity in performance, as composers require greater technical skill
- Focuses on emotional expression, mood, and atmosphere; interest in the bizarre and macabre is noted
- Era spans from 1820 to 1900
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Description
Test your knowledge on the distinctions between Classical and Romantic music through these flashcards. Explore the key composers and characteristics that define each musical era. Perfect for music students and enthusiasts alike.
