Music History Exam 3: Classical and Romantic

Questions and Answers

What years define the Classical Period?

1750 to 1825

What years define the Romantic Period?

1820 to 1900

What is the Classical/Gallant style?

A style that created more emphasis on a universal level (objectivity) rather than the specific and personal.

What is another name for Sonata Form?

Both A and B Signup and view all the answers

In sonata form, one should always take the repeat.

True Signup and view all the answers

What defines a sonata?

A multimovement work for one or more instruments; at least one movement is in sonata form. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three traditionally indicated sections of a movement structured in sonata form?

Exposition, development, and recapitulation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the section scheme of sonata form?

A A B A Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the exposition in sonata form?

It introduces all of the musical ideas before they are developed and recapitulated. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main themes of the exposition?

(1) Presented in the tonic key and often dramatic; (2) Usually lyrical in a different key, commencing the second part. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the development section in sonata form?

Positioned as the third section experienced as the musical climax. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the recapitulation in sonata form?

Restates the main points of all thematic material of the exposition in its original order. Signup and view all the answers

Name an important characteristic of symphonies.

They typically involve instruments only, have multiple movements, lofty musical ambitions, and often an abstract subject matter. Signup and view all the answers

Why is Franz Joseph Haydn often called 'the father of the symphony'?

He is traditionally called this title, but it's misleading; he simply claimed it first. Signup and view all the answers

What are hammerstrokes in the context of orchestral music?

Several loud chords used at the beginning of overtures. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Giovanni Sammartini?

He began organizing performances of symphonies by themselves, making the symphony a separate independent art form. Signup and view all the answers

What did F.J. Haydn contribute to musical composition?

Composed numerous symphonies, concertos, and operas, and invented the string quartet genre. Signup and view all the answers

What significant changes did Beethoven make to the symphony?

Expanded the length and complexity, with more emotional expressiveness and a larger orchestration. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a rhythmic pattern of syncopated beats?

Hemiola. Signup and view all the answers

Define fermata in music.

A cessation of counting to hold a note or chord longer than indicated. Signup and view all the answers

What does cyclic form indicate in a composition?

The return of certain themes or motives in various movements of a large composition. Signup and view all the answers

Who took Beethoven as a student?

Franz Joseph Haydn. Signup and view all the answers

How did Beethoven's deafness affect his music?

It led to formidable anxiety but also drove him to create more profound art. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the characteristics of Beethoven's late period.

His music became more abstract, freer, and introspective. Signup and view all the answers

What is an arpeggio?

A harp-like musical technique involving broken chords played in ascending or descending order. Signup and view all the answers

What do we know about the Romantic Period in music?

It stressed individual feeling, emotion, and imagination, celebrating irrational forces of intuition. Signup and view all the answers

What qualities did Frédéric Chopin bring to piano composition during the Romantic Period?

He specialized in creating the illusion that the piano sings and had a deep connection to inward feelings. Signup and view all the answers

What is a nocturne in music?

A genre centered on evoking moods and feelings associated with the night. Signup and view all the answers

What is rubato?

A free treatment of tempo in performance. Signup and view all the answers

Who is famously known for the concept of 'Gesamtkunstwerk'?

Richard Wagner. Signup and view all the answers

What do leitmotifs in Wagner's operas represent?

Motives associated with characters or themes that guide the listener to the underlying meanings. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Arthur Schopenhauer's belief in relation to Wagner's work?

It reflects Wagner's view of human experience traced to 'The Will' and 'Appearance.' Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a coda in a musical piece?

To serve as the concluding section that wraps up the musical material. Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of miniatures in musical composition?

Short pieces without a clear beginning or end, often performed on a small scale. Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of 'art song' or 'lied'?

A musical setting of a poem performed almost always by a solo singer and piano. Signup and view all the answers

Define strophic form in music.

A song structure where all verses are sung to the same music. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'asternato' signify in music?

Symbolic of time within the musical world. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to be virtuosic?

To possess great skill in performing arts, particularly in music. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a character piece in music?

A type of miniature composition for piano, exemplified by works like Nocturne. Signup and view all the answers

Beethoven experienced life solely within the classical period.

False Signup and view all the answers

Why is Beethoven considered a hero?

His works reflect personal beliefs and struggles that inspired resilience. Signup and view all the answers

What made Wagner's musical drama romantic?

Instrumental music creation emphasized alternate realities through seamless compositions. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Classical Period

Spanned from 1750 to 1825.
Marked by the Classical/Gallant style emphasizing objectivity over personal emotion.

Romantic Period

Lasted from 1820 to 1900.
Focused on individual feelings, emotion, and imagination, celebrating intuition and fantasy.

Sonata Form

Also known as Sonata-allegro Form or First Movement Form.
Comprises three main sections: exposition, development, and recapitulation.
Section scheme follows A A B A, where A sections consist of two parts each.

Exposition

Introduces major musical themes, with two main themes typically presented.
The first theme is dramatic and in the tonic key; the second is lyrical and in a different key.
Linked by a bridge and closed with a cadence theme.

Development Section

Represents a musical climax, positioned as the third section in the sonata form.
Themes undergo transformation and exploration, leading to increased tension.

Recapitulation

Restates main thematic material from the exposition in original order, often following a retransition.
Usually includes a coda as a closing statement.

Symphony

Instrumental genre characterized by multiple movements and lofty ambitions.
Can feature soloists and has roots in opera overtures.

Franz Joseph Haydn

Recognized as "the father of the symphony," though this claim is debated.
Pioneered the string quartet genre and influenced classical music significantly.

Beethoven

Expanded symphonic length and complexity significantly.
His symphonies were marked by emotional expressiveness, larger orchestras, and innovative structures.
Cyclic form denotes thematic connections across movements.

Romantic Composers and Music

Franz Schubert epitomized the "Bohemian" lifestyle among artists.
Frédéric Chopin focused on piano compositions, exploring inward emotions and nuanced performance.
Hector Berlioz introduced unique orchestral ideas and dramatic storytelling in symphony.

Bel Canto

An operatic style meaning "beautiful singing," emphasized by Rossini and Bellini.
Featured dramatic vocal lines and structured arias, including the notable two-tempo aria format.

Wagner

Viewed opera as a serious art form capable of societal impact.
Developed the idea of leitmotifs, musical phrases tied to specific characters or themes within the narrative.
Advocated for Gesamtkunstwerk, fusing all art forms in his operas.

Musical Terminology

Rubato: Flexible tempo in performance.
Ostinato: Persistently repeated musical phrase.
Character Piece: Miniature compositions, often for piano (e.g., Nocturne).
Strophic Form: Repeated music for verses in songs.
Fermata: Symbol indicating a note is held longer than the written value.

Key Concepts

Miniature compositions reflect emotional depth with no clear beginning or end.
Music dramas break theatrical illusions, aiming for immersive narratives.
Beethoven's heroism reflected personal struggles and societal challenges, inspiring many.
Romanticism sought expressions that transcended rationality, delving into the unknown and mystical.

Conclusion

The Classical and Romantic periods set the foundation for modern Western music, with significant developments in form, expression, and thematic complexity.

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Description

Test your knowledge on key terms and definitions from the Classical and Romantic periods in music history. This quiz features important concepts such as the Classical Period, Romantic Period, and various musical forms. Perfect for students looking to review their understanding of these foundational eras in music.