Podcast
Questions and Answers
Classical music has almost fallen into disuse today.
Classical music has almost fallen into disuse today.
False
The church's influence on the direction of Western music remained strong through the classic period.
The church's influence on the direction of Western music remained strong through the classic period.
False
The classic period saw a rise in instrumental music.
The classic period saw a rise in instrumental music.
True
In the classic period, rhythm was uncomplicated and predictable.
In the classic period, rhythm was uncomplicated and predictable.
Signup and view all the answers
The classic period was an age dominated by vocal music.
The classic period was an age dominated by vocal music.
Signup and view all the answers
The primary vocal, choral, and dramatic genre of the classic period was oratorio.
The primary vocal, choral, and dramatic genre of the classic period was oratorio.
Signup and view all the answers
The principle of contrast and return is integral to rondo.
The principle of contrast and return is integral to rondo.
Signup and view all the answers
So tremendously gifted, Mozart never had to struggle for recognition and income.
So tremendously gifted, Mozart never had to struggle for recognition and income.
Signup and view all the answers
Beethoven earned a comfortable living in the employment of the aristocracy.
Beethoven earned a comfortable living in the employment of the aristocracy.
Signup and view all the answers
One of Beethoven's innovations was to use the human voice in his Ninth Symphony.
One of Beethoven's innovations was to use the human voice in his Ninth Symphony.
Signup and view all the answers
The arts during the classic period were centered in:
The arts during the classic period were centered in:
Signup and view all the answers
Crescendo means:
Crescendo means:
Signup and view all the answers
The classic period can be described as a time of:
The classic period can be described as a time of:
Signup and view all the answers
To the composer of the classic era, homophonic texture was much more important than:
To the composer of the classic era, homophonic texture was much more important than:
Signup and view all the answers
The new keyboard instrument of the classic period was the:
The new keyboard instrument of the classic period was the:
Signup and view all the answers
Two violins, one viola, and one 'cello playing in ensemble is:
Two violins, one viola, and one 'cello playing in ensemble is:
Signup and view all the answers
The ensemble that played a concerto was:
The ensemble that played a concerto was:
Signup and view all the answers
The third movement of a four movement classic work is most generally:
The third movement of a four movement classic work is most generally:
Signup and view all the answers
The most common chamber music ensemble of the classic era was:
The most common chamber music ensemble of the classic era was:
Signup and view all the answers
In opera, the recitative provided narrative while the __________ provided commentary on the plot.
In opera, the recitative provided narrative while the __________ provided commentary on the plot.
Signup and view all the answers
The term 'libretto' refers to:
The term 'libretto' refers to:
Signup and view all the answers
The first section of sonata form is the:
The first section of sonata form is the:
Signup and view all the answers
The minuet and trio is in:
The minuet and trio is in:
Signup and view all the answers
Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven spent most of their professional careers centered in:
Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven spent most of their professional careers centered in:
Signup and view all the answers
For 30 years __________ was court composer to the Prince of Esterhazy.
For 30 years __________ was court composer to the Prince of Esterhazy.
Signup and view all the answers
__________ was a prodigiously gifted child.
__________ was a prodigiously gifted child.
Signup and view all the answers
Who invented the glass harmonica?
Who invented the glass harmonica?
Signup and view all the answers
Beethoven was considered a __________ composer.
Beethoven was considered a __________ composer.
Signup and view all the answers
Many of Beethoven's most famous works came from:
Many of Beethoven's most famous works came from:
Signup and view all the answers
Compared with Mozart and Haydn, Beethoven's later works can be:
Compared with Mozart and Haydn, Beethoven's later works can be:
Signup and view all the answers
Beethoven became totally deaf during:
Beethoven became totally deaf during:
Signup and view all the answers
The classic period saw:
The classic period saw:
Signup and view all the answers
The classic period signals the beginning of the __________ in music.
The classic period signals the beginning of the __________ in music.
Signup and view all the answers
Name the four families of the classic orchestra.
Name the four families of the classic orchestra.
Signup and view all the answers
How many movements could usually be found in a multi-movement work?
How many movements could usually be found in a multi-movement work?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the distinguishing feature between chamber and orchestral music?
What is the distinguishing feature between chamber and orchestral music?
Signup and view all the answers
What element in opera was used to create a mood that would support the drama?
What element in opera was used to create a mood that would support the drama?
Signup and view all the answers
Who wrote Le Nozze di Figaro?
Who wrote Le Nozze di Figaro?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of opera is The Marriage of Figaro?
What type of opera is The Marriage of Figaro?
Signup and view all the answers
With the letters a, b, and c, diagram a typical rondo form.
With the letters a, b, and c, diagram a typical rondo form.
Signup and view all the answers
How was Beethoven's 9th Symphony different from the traditional model of the classic period?
How was Beethoven's 9th Symphony different from the traditional model of the classic period?
Signup and view all the answers
What does 'forte' mean?
What does 'forte' mean?
Signup and view all the answers
What does 'piano' mean?
What does 'piano' mean?
Signup and view all the answers
What is 'binary' in music?
What is 'binary' in music?
Signup and view all the answers
What is 'ternary' in music?
What is 'ternary' in music?
Signup and view all the answers
What does 'diatonic' mean?
What does 'diatonic' mean?
Signup and view all the answers
What does 'chromatic' mean?
What does 'chromatic' mean?
Signup and view all the answers
What does 'tempo' refer to?
What does 'tempo' refer to?
Signup and view all the answers
What does 'rubato' mean?
What does 'rubato' mean?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a cadenza?
What is a cadenza?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Classical Period Overview
- Classical music today is not in disuse, debunking the notion of its decline.
- The church's influence weakened during the Classical period, shifting control of Western music.
- A significant transition occurred towards instrumental music, marking the period's characteristics.
- The rhythm in Classical music featured uncomplicated, predictable patterns.
Musical Genres and Forms
- Vocal music's dominance faded; instrumental music gained prominence.
- The oratorio was not the primary vocal genre during the period, distinguishing the era's musical trends.
- Rondo form emphasizes contrast and return, a crucial principle in its structure.
- Beethoven innovatively integrated the human voice into his Ninth Symphony, revolutionizing composition.
Key Terms and Concepts
- Crescendo denotes a gradual increase in loudness, essential to compositional dynamics.
- The Classical period is defined by restraint, clarity, and balance in music.
- Homophonic texture was prioritized over contrapuntal writing by composers of the era.
Instrumentation and Ensembles
- The pianoforte emerged as a new keyboard instrument, replacing earlier ones like the harpsichord.
- A string quartet typically comprises two violins, one viola, and one cello, illustrating chamber music format.
- The orchestra served as the ensemble for concerto performances.
Movement Structure
- The third movement of a four-movement work is generally a minuet and trio, reflecting traditional form.
- Chamber music often features a single instrument per role, contrasting with orchestral arrangements with multiple instruments.
Opera Elements
- In opera, recitative conveys narrative, while the aria provides commentary on the plot.
- "Libretto" refers to the lyrics or text of an opera, a fundamental concept in operatic performance.
Sonata Form and Meter
- Sonata form's first section is known as the exposition, laying the groundwork for thematic development.
- The minuet and trio structure is characterized by triple meter, enhancing its rhythmic essence.
Influential Composers
- Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven primarily worked in Austria, influencing the Classical canon.
- Haydn was court composer for the Prince of Esterhazy for three decades.
- Mozart was renowned as a prodigious child, showcasing extraordinary talent early in life.
Beethoven's Contributions
- Beethoven's later works, known for their length and complexity, evolved into a unique style that bridged classical and romantic music.
- He became completely deaf during his third creative period, which significantly impacted his compositional style.
Cultural Shifts
- The Classical period marked the ascendancy of the middle class and the decline of aristocratic influence.
- This era signifies the onset of a modern approach to music, transitioning from Baroque conventions.
Musical Form and Characteristics
- Binary refers to a two-part musical form, while ternary indicates a three-part structure.
- Diatonic music utilizes tones from a single scale, while chromatic introduces non-scale tones.
- Terms like "forte" (loud), "piano" (soft), "tempo" (speed of music), and "rubato" (flexible pulse) play crucial roles in musical interpretation.
Unique Musical Features
- A cadenza is an extended virtuoso passage that showcases an instrumentalist's skill.
- Rondo forms consist of alternating sections, commonly represented as abaca or abacaba.
Major Operatic Works
- Mozart composed "Le Nozze di Figaro," recognized as an opera buffa (comic opera), exemplifying the era's theatrical evolution.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge on the key concepts of music history from Chapter 11. This quiz covers different aspects of the classical period, including the influence of the church and the evolution of instrumental music. Challenge yourself and see how well you understand this important era in music!
