Music Test - Classical Period Flashcards

Questions and Answers

The classical period was from _ to _

1750, 1820

Who are the 3 big composers of the classical era?

Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven

What are the characteristics of a classical composition? (Select all that apply)

Classical melodies are among the most tuneful and easiest to remember (correct)

Classical music is basically hemispheric

A classical composition will fluctuate in mood (correct)

A classical composition has a wealth of rhythmic patterns (correct)

What does the typical orchestra of the classical period consist of?

Strings, pairs of woodwinds, brass, and percussion Signup and view all the answers

Which instrument was not normally used in orchestral performances of the classical period?

The trombone Signup and view all the answers

Social mobility during the classical period was _____

an important factor in the rise of the middle class Signup and view all the answers

Political and economic power shifted to the middle class from what two sources? (Select all that apply)

The aristocracy Signup and view all the answers

In the Classical period, serious compositions were often followed by _____?

Folk and popular music Signup and view all the answers

What did the prosperity of the middle class seek? (Select all that apply)

Theater Signup and view all the answers

What was Haydn content spending most of his life doing?

Serving a wealthy aristocratic family Signup and view all the answers

In Vienna, Haydn and Mozart were enemies.

False Signup and view all the answers

What are the three main sections of a sonata form movement?

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

What is the second theme in a new key called?

Exposition Signup and view all the answers

What is the transitional passage that leads to a second theme in a new key called?

Bridge Signup and view all the answers

What are short musical ideas or fragments of themes that are developed within a composition called?

Motives Signup and view all the answers

What is the concluding section known as, often following the three main themes of a sonata form movement?

Coda Signup and view all the answers

Sonata form should be viewed as a _____

set of principles Signup and view all the answers

Each successive variation in a theme with variations _____

retains some elements of the theme Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is usually not changed in varying the theme in theme and variation form? A.) Melody B.) Harmony C.) Length D.) Rhythm

Length Signup and view all the answers

The minuet and trio or minuet is in what form?

ABA Signup and view all the answers

The lyrical slow movement most of a symphony is also the _____

2nd Signup and view all the answers

Where did the minuet first appear around _ as a _ at the court of Louis XIV of France?

1650, dance Signup and view all the answers

What is the usual order of movements in a classical symphony?

Fast, slow, dance-related, and fast Signup and view all the answers

What is the favored solo instrument in classical concerto?

Piano Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical sequence of movements in a concerto?

Fast, slow, fast Signup and view all the answers

The bright solo selection in a concerto is referred to as _____

Cadenza Signup and view all the answers

A pause in the score is indicated by what?

Fermata Signup and view all the answers

Classical chamber music is designed for what setting?

Intimate setting of a small room Signup and view all the answers

What is the most important form of classical chamber music?

String quartet Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes chamber music from the symphony or concerto?

Performed by one player per part Signup and view all the answers

What makes up a string quartet?

-2 Violins, -2 Viola, -Cello Signup and view all the answers

What makes up a piano trio?

Piano, violin, cello Signup and view all the answers

Whom did Haydn work for?

The Esterházy family Signup and view all the answers

The 12 symphonies Haydn composed during his visits to London are now known as the _____

London Symphonies Signup and view all the answers

What are Haydn's two popular oratorios?

The Creation and The Seasons Signup and view all the answers

How many symphonies and string quartets did Haydn write?

104 symphonies, 68 string quartets Signup and view all the answers

Where was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart born?

Salzburg, Austria Signup and view all the answers

What did Mozart often do in his music career?

Was continuously on tour in Europe and in England Signup and view all the answers

Mozart's trip to Italy enabled him to study and master what style?

The current Italian operatic style Signup and view all the answers

Mozart composed his requiem on what basis?

On commission from a stranger Signup and view all the answers

Who made the standard catalogue of Mozart's compositions?

Kochel Signup and view all the answers

Mozart composed extended works completely in his mind.

True Signup and view all the answers

German operas contain spoken dialogue while Italian operas are sung out completely.

True Signup and view all the answers

What are Mozart's 3 masterpieces of Italian comic opera?

The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, Cosi fan Tutte Signup and view all the answers

What is Mozart's finest German opera?

The Magic Flute Signup and view all the answers

Don Giovanni is who?

The legendary Spanish lover Signup and view all the answers

The 3rd symphony was originally dedicated to whom?

Napoleon Bonaparte Signup and view all the answers

What method did Beethoven use to develop themes?

Often expanded and served to develop themes further Signup and view all the answers

What did Beethoven greatly expand in his compositions?

Development section...and made it more dramatic Signup and view all the answers

The chorale finale of Beethoven's Ninth is based on what?

Schiller's Ode to Joy Signup and view all the answers

Beethoven's Ninth Symphony is unusual because it is scored for _____

4 vocal soloists and a chorus Signup and view all the answers

Where does Beethoven's greatest church music reside?

Missa Solemnis Signup and view all the answers

What is Beethoven's only opera entitled?

Fidelio Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Classical Period Overview

Classical period spans from 1750 to 1820.
Prominent composers include Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven.

Characteristics of Classical Music

Compositions exhibit mood fluctuations and a variety of rhythmic patterns.
Melodies are tuneful and memorable.
Typical orchestra consists of strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion.

Instrumentation and Performance

Trombones were not commonly used in orchestral performances during this time.
Social mobility contributed to the rise of the middle class, shifting power from aristocracy and the church.

Musical Forms and Elements

Serious compositions were often influenced by folk and popular music.
Sonata form includes exposition, development, and recapitulation as main sections.
Exposition introduces the second theme in a new key; recapitulation brings the closing section back to the tonic key.

Themes and Variations

Musical ideas called motives are developed within compositions.
The concluding section following a sonata form movement is known as the coda.
Each variation retains elements of the original theme but may change melody, harmony, rhythm, or length.

Minuet and Trio

The minuet originated as a court dance in the mid-17th century.
Its characteristics include a stately demeanor and moderate tempo, typically in ABA form.
Beethoven often substituted the minuet with a scherzo, which is faster and maintains a triple meter.

Rondo Form

Common rondo patterns include ABACA and ABACABA; the main theme usually appears in the tonic key.
The lively rondo often serves as the finale of classical symphonies.

Symphony and Concerto Structure

A typical classical symphony movement order is fast, slow, dance-related (minuet/scherzo), and fast.
The first movement is predominantly in sonata form and fast-paced.
Concertos, comprised of a solo instrument and orchestra, typically follow a fast-slow-fast structure, with piano being the favored solo instrument.

Chamber Music

Classical chamber music is designed for intimate settings, performed by one player per part.
The string quartet is the most important form of classical chamber music, consisting of two violins, a viola, and a cello.

Notable Composers and Their Contributions

Haydn composed a total of 104 symphonies and 68 string quartets, known as the London Symphonies during his visits there.
Mozart, born in Salzburg, Austria, is celebrated for his operatic masterpieces including "The Marriage of Figaro," "Don Giovanni," and "Cosi fan Tutte."
Beethoven bridged classical and romantic music, drastically expanding the coda and development sections of compositions.

Operatic and Choral Works

Mozart's "The Magic Flute" is rated as his finest German opera, and "Don Giovanni" refers to the legendary Spanish lover.
Beethoven's Ninth Symphony features a finale based on Schiller's "Ode to Joy," scored for four vocal soloists and chorus.
"Missa Solemnis" represents Beethoven's most significant church music, while "Fidelio" is his only opera.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the classical period of music from 1750 to 1820. This quiz features terms associated with key composers like Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven, as well as characteristics of classical compositions. Challenge yourself and enhance your understanding of this pivotal era in music history.