Classicism Characteristics

Study Notes

Classicism Characteristics

Time period: 1750-1820, marking the transition from Baroque to Classical music.
Instrumental music flourished, leading to fewer vocal pieces created during this era.
Emphasis on beauty found in order, symmetry, balance, and control.
Melody exhibits emotional restraint, characterized by a question/answer phrase structure and contrasting sections.
Texture predominantly features homophony, with prominent melodies and less focus on bass.
Dynamics display subtleness yet are impressive, often employing longer crescendos.
Timbre: Greater importance placed on instrumental music, focusing on orchestral sounds; the piano emerged as the primary keyboard instrument.

Form

Represents the organization and design of a composition or individual movement.
In the absence of text, greater significance is given to musical form, paralleling literary structures with elements like repetition and contrast.

Cadenza

An extended cadence performed by a soloist, typically improvised.
Features an orchestra crescendoing before dropping out, concluding with a trill from the soloist, which prompts the orchestra's return.

Solo Concerto

Emerged following the decline of the concert grosso, which featured large orchestras typical of the Baroque period.
Composers began writing solo performances, integrating instruments within orchestral works.

String Quartet

A prominent form of chamber music during the Classical era, typically comprising two violins, a viola, and a cello.

Sonata-Allegro

A structural form used in first movements of symphonies, concertos, sonatas, or string quartets, characterized by its ABA structure.

Rondo

A musical form denoted by ABACA, serving as the last movement in compositions, known for its lively and cheerful nature.

Coda

Definition: Translates to "tail," referring to the concluding section of a musical piece.

Comic Opera

Known as opera buffa in Italian, singspiele in German, and opera comique in French.
This genre gained popularity, featuring comedic elements inserted between acts of serious operas.

Pants or Trouser Role

A role in opera typically written for a female singer, portraying a young boy to express youth and innocence.

Description

Explore the defining features of Classicism from 1750 to 1820. This quiz covers aspects such as form, melody, texture, and dynamics, highlighting the balance and beauty of the era. Utilize these flashcards to solidify your understanding of instrumental and vocal pieces from this pivotal period in music history.