Music 9: Classical Period PDF

# MUSIC 9 ## Quarter 2 ## Music of the Classical Period ## Classical Music - **Definition of Classical Music** - **Characteristics, Elements, Forms, and Musical Styles of Classical Music** - **Composers and Their Compositions** - **Relevance of Classical Music to Arts, Historical Events, and Con...

# MUSIC 9 ## Quarter 2 ## Music of the Classical Period ## Classical Music - **Definition of Classical Music** - **Characteristics, Elements, Forms, and Musical Styles of Classical Music** - **Composers and Their Compositions** - **Relevance of Classical Music to Arts, Historical Events, and Contemporary Arts** ## Understanding the Lesson ### Classical Period (1750-1820) The Classical Era, also called the "Age of Reason", is the period from 1750-1820. The cultural life was dominated by the aristocracy, as patrons of musicians and artists generally influenced the arts. ### Classical It denotes conformity with the principles and characteristics of ancient Greek and Roman literature and art which were formal, elegant, simple, freed and dignified. ## Characteristics of Classical Music - Harmony and texture is homophonic in general. - The dynamics of loud and soft was clearly shown through the extensive use of crescendo and diminuendo. - A style of broken chord accompaniment called Alberto Bass was practiced. ## Review on Elements of Music - Melody is a combination of pitch and rhythm. - Tempo is the speed at which a passage of music is or should be played. - Dynamics refers to the volume of a sound or tone. - Texture is homophonic if melody accompanied by chord. - Pitch is the rate of vibrations producing it, the degree of highness or lowness of a tone. ## Instrumental Forms of the Classical Period - **Sonata** is a multi-movement work for solo instrument. Sonata came from the word Sonare which means "to make a sound". Sonata Allegro Form is the most important form that developed during the Classical era. It consists of 3 distinct sections: Exposition, Development, and Recapitulation. - **Exposition:** the first part of a composition in sonata form that introduces the theme. - **Development:** the middle part of the sonata-allegro form where themes are being developed. It explores the harmonic and textural possibilities of the thematic material. - **Recapitulation:** repeats the theme as it first emerged in the opening exposition. - **Concerto** is a multi-movement work designed for an instrumental soloist and orchestra. It is a classical form of music which has three movements: fast, slow and fast. - **Symphony** is a multi-movement work for orchestra. It is generally in four movements: fast, slow, medium and fast. Symphony-derived from the word “sinfonia” - means a harmonious sounding together ## Vocal Music of the Classical Period - **Opera:** a drama set to music where singers and musicians perform in a theatrical setting. Classical Opera has two types: - **Opera Seria/Serious Opera** - usually implies heroic or tragic drama that employs mythological characters. - **Opera buffa/ Comic Opera** - Opera in Italy that is full of fun - an opera with a humorous plot and usually with a happy ending. ## Musical Styles of Classical Music - **Alberti Bass** is a special type of broken chord accompaniment where the chord is played in this order: lowest note - highest note - middle note - highest note then repeats the pattern to create a smooth, sustained, flowing sound. - **Allegro** is quickly and brisk lively in manner. - **Largo** is a style of music in the Classical Period which is very slow in tempo. - **Suite** is a collection of short musical pieces in order to create larger work. ## Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) - He was born on March 31, 1732, in Rohrau, Austria and died on May 31, 1809, in Vienna. - His life was described as a "rags-to-riches" story. - He is from a poor family and his music led him to rise in his social status. - His personality and character reflect in his music and these are: calm, balanced, serious but with touches of humor. - Haydn was named '"Father of the Symphony" and "Father of the String Quartet" because of his great contributions to these genres. - Most of symphonies that he composed have its nicknames such as the "Surprise Symphony", "The Clock", "The Military". - He also wrote chamber piano music and choral works. ## Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) - Is one of the most prominent composers of the classical period. His life is described as a "rags-to-riches" story. - He was named, “Father of the Symphony”. - His famous works include 104 symphonies, 60 piano sonatas, 68 string quartets, some masses and oratorios and 25 operas (10 lost). - Most of his symphonies have nicknames such as the “Surprise Symphony”, “The Clock”, “The Military”. - He also wrote chamber piano music and choral works. - He was born on January 27, 1756 in Salzburg Austria and died on December 5, 1791 in Vienna. - He is widely recognized as one of the great composers in the history of Western music and considered as the most amazing genius in musical history. - He was already playing the violin and the harpsichord at the age of five, and when he was six years old, he was recognized as an exceptional pianist. - Furthermore, at the age of seven, he was already composing excellent music. - He had written sonatas, concertos, symphonies, religious works, and operas and operettas in the age thirteen. - He created more than 700 compositions. - Due to mismanaged finances, Mozart lived his life in poverty and died young and was buried in an unknown grave. - Some of the wonderful compositions (concertos, operas and symphonies) of Mozart are: “The Marriage of Figaro” (1786), “Don Giovanni (1789), and "The Magic Flute" which became popular. - Other known works: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Symphony No. 40 in G Major, and Sonata No. 11 in A Major K311. - Is a child prodigy and the most amazing genius in musical history. - He experimented in all kinds of music and composed over 700 works. - He composed wonderful concertos, symphonies and opera such as “The Marriage of Figaro” (1786), “Don Giovanni (1789), and “The Magic Flute” which became popular. - Other known works: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Symphony No. 40 in G Major, and Sonata No. 11 in A Major K311. ## Ludwig Van Beethoven - He was born and baptized on December 17, 1770 in Bonn Germany, and he died March 26, 1827 in Vienna, Austria. - Beethoven belongs to the family of musicians and he studied music at an early age. - He is the predominant composer who bridged the late Classical era and the early Romantic era. - He is brilliant pianist and composer. Beethoven started going deaf when he was around 30 years old (1796). - Although he could no longer hear well enough to play the piano, this did not become a hindrance and he continued composing with the help of an assistant and hearing gadget. - Some of the compositions he made when he was deaf became famous. - He has famous compositions that include: 32 piano sonatas, 21 set of variations, 9 symphonies, 5 concertos for piano, 16 string quartets and choral music. - The "Missa Solemnis" (1818-1823) and opera “Fidelio” (1805) are included to their works. - His known symphonies are: - Symphony No. 3 (Eroica) - No. 5 - No. 6 (Pastoral) - No. 9 (Choral), which add voices to the orchestra. - Was the composer who bridged the late Classical era and the early Romantic era. - He was a talented pianist and composer. - His famous compositions include 32 piano sonatas, 21 set of variations, 9 symphonies, 5 concertos for piano, 16 string quartets and choral music. - His works include the Piano Concerto No. 5 "Emperor,“Missa Solemnis” (1818-1823) and opera “Fidelio” (1805). - His known symphonies are: - Symphony No. 3 (Eroica) - No. 5 - No. 6 (Pastoral) - No. 9 (Choral), which adds voices to the orchestra. ## Related Art Forms: - In the middle of the 18th century, Europe began to move toward a new style in architecture, literature, and the arts, known as Classicism. - It was also pushed forward by changes in the economic order and in social structure. - Instrumental music was patronized primarily by the nobility. ## Related Historical Events: - French Revolution and the American Declaration of Independence in 1776 - The American Revolution - The Napoleonic Wars ## Improvised Musical Instrument - At the end of this lesson, you should be able to recognize the different musical instruments during the Classical period, and develop creativity through creating an improvised accompaniment to selected music from the Classical period. ## The musical instruments in Classical period: - The musical instruments during the Classical period are basically divided into four. - The string - Percussion - Woodwind - Brass instrument. ## The Strings: - In this group of instruments, the violin, viola, cello, and the double bass are the common examples. - The methods of playing the instruments are plucking the strings with fingers or a plectrum and hitting the strings with a light wooden hammer or by rubbing the string with the bow. ## String Section: - Violin - Viola. - Cello - Double bass ## The Woodwinds - This family of instruments is composed of tubes that have opening on one end, and a mouthpiece at the other. - The keys are rows of holes covered by metal caps. - The sound change happens depending on the air leaving the instrument. - The instruments under this in descending general tone order are flute, piccolo, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and finally the saxophone. ## The Percussion - This group of instruments produce sounds in three ways: hitting, shaking or scraping. - Percussion instruments can be tuned or untuned which affects in generating notes. - The tuned instruments produce definite or specific pitches while the untuned instruments deliver indefinite sounds or pitch. - The instruments that produce particular tune are the marimba, timpani, and xylophone while indefinite pitch percussion instruments are the bass drum, cymbals, and snare drum. ## The Brass - It is composed of long tubes which widen towards the end to form a bell-like shape. - The instruments produce sounds through blowing the mouthpiece, thereby causing air to vibrate against the inner border of the instrument. - The valves are connected to the extended pipes and when increasing the length of the pipe, it results to a lower sound. - In changing the tune, the player must change his lips opening on the mouthpiece to create variation. - In this group of instruments are trumpet, trombone, bass trombone, French horn, and tuba. ## Brass Instruments - Cornet. - Trumpet. - Trombone. - Bass Trombone. - Tenor horn. - Baritone horn. - Euphonium. - French horn. - Tuba. - Flugel horn. - Natural trumpet ## Note: - During the Classical period, the Piano began to become an important instrument in Classical compositions.