Podcast
Questions and Answers
In world history, the Classical era was known as what 'age'?
In world history, the Classical era was known as what 'age'?
Age of Enlightenment
What are three 'enlightened' concepts of the Classic era?
What are three 'enlightened' concepts of the Classic era?
Individual rights more important, US revolution, French revolution, Commoners become more important in politics
In the Classic era, where was the musical center of activity?
In the Classic era, where was the musical center of activity?
Vienna, Austria
What happens to the accessibility of music in the Classic period?
What happens to the accessibility of music in the Classic period?
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What is the musical term for a 'primary' melody?
What is the musical term for a 'primary' melody?
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In the Classic era, who were beginning to commission works for composers?
In the Classic era, who were beginning to commission works for composers?
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What were the general characteristics of music in the Classic era?
What were the general characteristics of music in the Classic era?
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What is the musical term for an orchestral work in multi-movements?
What is the musical term for an orchestral work in multi-movements?
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What caused music of the Classic era to be simpler?
What caused music of the Classic era to be simpler?
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What was the primary keyboard instrument of the Classic period?
What was the primary keyboard instrument of the Classic period?
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In the Classic era, what type of texture is employed?
In the Classic era, what type of texture is employed?
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In what city was the Classic movement centered?
In what city was the Classic movement centered?
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What happens to the 'basso continuo' concept in the Classic period?
What happens to the 'basso continuo' concept in the Classic period?
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What happens to the 'figured bass' concept in the Classic era?
What happens to the 'figured bass' concept in the Classic era?
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What happens to the concept of 'rhythm' in the Classic period?
What happens to the concept of 'rhythm' in the Classic period?
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What is the musical term for 'gradually slowing down'?
What is the musical term for 'gradually slowing down'?
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What is the musical term for 'gradually speeding up'?
What is the musical term for 'gradually speeding up'?
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In the Classic era how were dynamics utilized?
In the Classic era how were dynamics utilized?
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What is the musical term for 'gradually getting louder'?
What is the musical term for 'gradually getting louder'?
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What is the musical term for 'gradually getting softer'?
What is the musical term for 'gradually getting softer'?
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What instrument replaced the once popular harpsichord?
What instrument replaced the once popular harpsichord?
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What happened to the size of the orchestra in the Classic era?
What happened to the size of the orchestra in the Classic era?
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What form uses a simple, often familiar melody and then repeats the melody many times?
What form uses a simple, often familiar melody and then repeats the melody many times?
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What is the most important 'form' of the Classic period?
What is the most important 'form' of the Classic period?
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What was the major orchestral genre?
What was the major orchestral genre?
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What was considered to be a major musical innovation of the 18th century?
What was considered to be a major musical innovation of the 18th century?
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What type of music was given a special impetus in its creation as a result of public concerts?
What type of music was given a special impetus in its creation as a result of public concerts?
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What type of music had a variety and flexibility introduced into its dynamics?
What type of music had a variety and flexibility introduced into its dynamics?
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What popular instrument reflected the use of Classic dynamics?
What popular instrument reflected the use of Classic dynamics?
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Describe the Classic ideal of melody?
Describe the Classic ideal of melody?
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What was the predominant texture of Classic music?
What was the predominant texture of Classic music?
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What country led the way in eighteenth century comic opera?
What country led the way in eighteenth century comic opera?
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What was the favorite featured instrument of the Classic sonata?
What was the favorite featured instrument of the Classic sonata?
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Who were the four major composers of the Classic period?
Who were the four major composers of the Classic period?
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What is the musical term for a musical work exclusively for a solo instrument?
What is the musical term for a musical work exclusively for a solo instrument?
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What is the musical term for a work consisting of a solo instrument and orchestra?
What is the musical term for a work consisting of a solo instrument and orchestra?
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What orchestral work is associated with a story or extra-musical idea?
What orchestral work is associated with a story or extra-musical idea?
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What is the musical term for an accomplished performer?
What is the musical term for an accomplished performer?
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What is the musical term for 'comic opera'?
What is the musical term for 'comic opera'?
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What instruments comprise a string quartet?
What instruments comprise a string quartet?
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What song form has an optional introduction, exposition, development, recapitulation, and optional coda?
What song form has an optional introduction, exposition, development, recapitulation, and optional coda?
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What is another term for 'tragic opera'?
What is another term for 'tragic opera'?
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Classic composers added one more movement to the Baroque fast, slow, fast formula. This new movement was in what type of meter?
Classic composers added one more movement to the Baroque fast, slow, fast formula. This new movement was in what type of meter?
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The Classic symphony contained how many movements?
The Classic symphony contained how many movements?
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In a Classic symphony, the first movement typically was in what form?
In a Classic symphony, the first movement typically was in what form?
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What part of the sonata-allegro form was used to grind themes into the listener's ears?
What part of the sonata-allegro form was used to grind themes into the listener's ears?
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Coming from the Baroque era to the Classic period, did the 'oratorio' experience much change?
Coming from the Baroque era to the Classic period, did the 'oratorio' experience much change?
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From what song form did the string quartet evolve?
From what song form did the string quartet evolve?
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What is the musical term for a group of vocal solos (songs) that are connected together by a general idea or story?
What is the musical term for a group of vocal solos (songs) that are connected together by a general idea or story?
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What could the piano produce that the harpsichord couldn't?
What could the piano produce that the harpsichord couldn't?
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Which composer is known as the 'Father' of the string quartet and symphony?
Which composer is known as the 'Father' of the string quartet and symphony?
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Which composer is considered to be the first great composer of the Classic era?
Which composer is considered to be the first great composer of the Classic era?
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Which of the four composers, we have discussed, was the piano instructor of Beethoven (for a short time)?
Which of the four composers, we have discussed, was the piano instructor of Beethoven (for a short time)?
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What was one of the most important types of Classic chamber music?
What was one of the most important types of Classic chamber music?
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Who helped in the development of the symphony?
Who helped in the development of the symphony?
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Who referred to his wife as 'that infernal beast' and would purposely work out of town during most of their marriage?
Who referred to his wife as 'that infernal beast' and would purposely work out of town during most of their marriage?
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What oratorio was written after Haydn heard Handel's Messiah?
What oratorio was written after Haydn heard Handel's Messiah?
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What is the musical term for a 'Mass for the dead'?
What is the musical term for a 'Mass for the dead'?
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Which composer was a child prodigy, producing masterpieces in virtually every genre?
Which composer was a child prodigy, producing masterpieces in virtually every genre?
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Who was the most important composer of opera during the Classic era?
Who was the most important composer of opera during the Classic era?
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In the Classic period, which European ruler was known for his generous encouragement of the arts?
In the Classic period, which European ruler was known for his generous encouragement of the arts?
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Who is considered the most musically talented composer of all time?
Who is considered the most musically talented composer of all time?
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What was considered to be Mozart's greatest works?
What was considered to be Mozart's greatest works?
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How would you describe the melodies of Mozart?
How would you describe the melodies of Mozart?
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How old was Mozart when he wrote his first symphony?
How old was Mozart when he wrote his first symphony?
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How old was Mozart when he was given a small violin and began to flawlessly play the 2nd violin part of a string trio?
How old was Mozart when he was given a small violin and began to flawlessly play the 2nd violin part of a string trio?
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Other than opera, what is another important area of work by Mozart?
Other than opera, what is another important area of work by Mozart?
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Mozart's operas would have been even more successful if it wasn't for whose attempts to consistently sabotage them?
Mozart's operas would have been even more successful if it wasn't for whose attempts to consistently sabotage them?
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Which composer was known for his wide emotional range and many musical surprises?
Which composer was known for his wide emotional range and many musical surprises?
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Which symphony is considered to be the first Romantic symphony?
Which symphony is considered to be the first Romantic symphony?
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What other Classic composer blamed Salieri for the death of Mozart?
What other Classic composer blamed Salieri for the death of Mozart?
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Which composer is said to have the greatest emotional range of all composers?
Which composer is said to have the greatest emotional range of all composers?
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Which composer is said to be the master of surprise?
Which composer is said to be the master of surprise?
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Was Beethoven considered to be a child prodigy?
Was Beethoven considered to be a child prodigy?
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Who was one of the best pianists in Europe that eventually moved to Vienna and met Haydn?
Who was one of the best pianists in Europe that eventually moved to Vienna and met Haydn?
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Who is considered to be one of the most thorough composers because of his many revisions?
Who is considered to be one of the most thorough composers because of his many revisions?
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Which Beethoven symphony was the first to use vocal soloists and chorus?
Which Beethoven symphony was the first to use vocal soloists and chorus?
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What composer lost their hearing probably due to syphilis?
What composer lost their hearing probably due to syphilis?
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Whose later music was considered by critics to be 'crazy music', 'patchwork by a mad man'?
Whose later music was considered by critics to be 'crazy music', 'patchwork by a mad man'?
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What is the musical term for a group of related lieder?
What is the musical term for a group of related lieder?
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What is the musical term for a song for solo voice and piano sung in German?
What is the musical term for a song for solo voice and piano sung in German?
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Which composer wrote more than 700 lieder?
Which composer wrote more than 700 lieder?
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Who is known as the greatest melodist of all time?
Who is known as the greatest melodist of all time?
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What is the title of Schubert's first masterpiece that was written when he was 17-years-old?
What is the title of Schubert's first masterpiece that was written when he was 17-years-old?
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What is the title of Schubert's most famous symphony?
What is the title of Schubert's most famous symphony?
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Who was known as the 'little mushroom'?
Who was known as the 'little mushroom'?
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Who is the composer that bridges the Classic era into the Romantic period?
Who is the composer that bridges the Classic era into the Romantic period?
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What is the title of Schubert's most famous song cycle?
What is the title of Schubert's most famous song cycle?
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Who wrote Emperor Concerto?
Who wrote Emperor Concerto?
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Who wrote Erlkonig?
Who wrote Erlkonig?
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Who wrote Choral Symphony?
Who wrote Choral Symphony?
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Who wrote Requiem Mass?
Who wrote Requiem Mass?
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Who wrote Moonlight Sonata?
Who wrote Moonlight Sonata?
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Who wrote The Creation?
Who wrote The Creation?
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Who wrote Pastoral Symphony?
Who wrote Pastoral Symphony?
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Who wrote Magic Flute?
Who wrote Magic Flute?
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Who wrote Surprise Symphony?
Who wrote Surprise Symphony?
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Who wrote Marriage of Figaro?
Who wrote Marriage of Figaro?
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Who wrote Unfinished Symphony?
Who wrote Unfinished Symphony?
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Who wrote Eroica?
Who wrote Eroica?
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Study Notes
Classical Era Overview
- Known as the Age of Enlightenment, emphasizing reason and individual rights.
- Social upheavals during this period include the US and French revolutions, highlighting the rise of commoners in politics.
Musical Centers and Accessibility
- Vienna, Austria, served as the musical center of the Classical era.
- Music became more public, transitioning from royal courts to auditoriums and opera houses.
Musical Characteristics
- Distinctive features of music include changes in rhythm, increased dynamic variety, and dramatic sudden stops.
- The predominant texture of music in this period was homophony, favoring a single melodic line.
Instrumentation and Compositions
- The piano replaced the harpsichord as the main keyboard instrument, allowing for greater dynamic expression.
- Orchestras expanded in size, incorporating more strings, brass, and woodwinds than in the Baroque era.
- Major orchestral genres included symphonies, characterized by multiple movements.
Key Musical Forms
- Sonata-allegro form became the most significant structure, consisting of exposition, development, and recapitulation phases.
- The symphony traditionally included four movements: fast, slow, triple meter, and fast.
Notable Composers
- Major composers of the Classical period include Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert.
- Haydn is celebrated as the "Father" of the string quartet and symphony, while Mozart is recognized for his operas and lyrical melodies.
- Beethoven is known for his emotional range and innovative compositions, marking the transition to the Romantic era.
Important Works and Innovations
- Beethoven's Symphony No. 3, "Eroica," is considered the first Romantic symphony, showcasing a blend of Classical and Romantic elements.
- Mozart's operas, such as "The Magic Flute," highlight his prowess in blending musical innovation with storytelling.
- Schubert is famed for his lieder, or art songs, with "Gretchen at the Spinning Wheel" being one of his early masterpieces.
Musical Terms and Definitions
- Theme: The primary melody in a composition.
- Symphony: An orchestral work composed of multiple movements.
- Sonata: A work for solo instrument.
- Concerto: Composition for a solo instrument accompanied by an orchestra.
- Opera Buffa: Comic opera, contrasting with opera seria (tragic opera).
- Song Cycle: A collection of related songs designed to be performed together.
- Virtuoso: An exceptionally skilled musician.
Artistic Contributions
- Haydn contributed significantly to the development of the symphony and string quartet.
- Mozart's operatic compositions set a high standard in the operatic genre.
- Schubert’s works span many forms but are particularly noteworthy for their melodic depth and emotional impact.
Legacy and Influence
- The Classical period laid the groundwork for future musical developments, particularly in orchestration and form.
- The innovations and styles established during this time continue to resonate in modern music, influencing composers and musicians across genres.
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