THE CLASSICAL PERIOD (1750-1820) CP BACH & JC BACH Pioneers of pre-classical period (1730-1770)

1. THE CLASSICAL PERIOD (1750-1820) • CP BACH & JC BACH • Pioneers of pre-classical period (1730-1770) • shift to simplicity, clarity, and balance in musically style • most equate Classical Music title to anything non-pop / rock / jazz because of three greats are the most known & regarded • Three greats of this period are • MOZART, HAYDN, and BEETHOVEN

2. CLASSICAL CHARACTERISTICS • Contrast & Mood • Baroque has unity of mood but classical…… • Great variety and contrast receive emphasis in a single piece • Contrast may come in the movement or within a theme it’s self • Contrast may come slowly or quickly • Classical composer always impart …… • logic and unity to the change

3. CLASSICAL CHARACTERISTICS • Rhythm • Baroque rhythms are usually uniform from the beginning to end but classical…. • Can change suddenly or swiftly • Will have unexpected pauses & syncopations • Frequent changes from long to short notes

4. CLASSICAL CHARACTERISTICS • Texture • Most classical is basically HOMOPHONIC • This reflects simplistic movement from composers • However texture is still as unpredictable as the mood and rhythm and will unexpectedly change

5. CLASSICAL CHARACTERISTICS • Melody • Classical melodies are among the most tuneful and easy to remember • invention of THE HOOK • Even highly complex themes will have a popular or folk song basis • Some barrowed folk melodies • Most were original with pop sense in mind

6. CLASSICAL CHARACTERISTICS • Melody • Classical melodies usually are made of 2 phrases • The first phrase ends in half cadence • The second phrase ends in a full cadence • This makes them sound balanced and symmetrical • Usually even numbered phrase too • This is unlike Baroque melodies that tend to be more elaborate

7. CLASSICAL CHARACTERISTICS • Dynamics & the Piano • Baroque favor terraced dynamics • Classical favors gradual dynamics (Descresendo & Cresendo) • This desire leads to replacement of the Harpsichord with the Piano which can do this type of dynamic • Piano invented in 1700 but takes nearly 75 years for it to “catch on”

8. CLASSICAL CHARACTERISTICS • The End of Basso Continuo • This practice is gradually abandoned • 2 reasons • 1. more music written for amateurs who had not mastered art of improvising • 2. composers want more control and don’t trust the performer as much

9. THE CLASSICAL ORCHESTRA • A standard group of four sections evolved unlike Baroque which could vary • Sections • 1. STRINGS = 1st violins, 2nd violins, violas, cellos, double basses • 2. WOODWINDS = 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoon • 3. BRASS = 2 French horns, 2 trumpets • 4. PERCUSSIONS = 2 timpani

10. THE CLASSICAL ORCHESTRA • TROMBONES sometimes used too but not standard • More musicians during this period • Composers took advantage in order to contrast tone colors more • Each section has a specific role but could have the melody passed throughout each

11. THE CLASSICAL ORCHESTRA • Section roles • Strings • (melody and most important) • Woodwinds • (contrasting colors and solos) • Brass • (power and harmony filler) • Percussion • ( for rhythmic bite and emphasis) • *Youtube = Karajan orchestra

12. The Classical Period and the World(1750-1820) • Violent political & Social upheaval • The American & French Revolutions • The rise of Democracy • The decline of the aristocracy • Musicians strongly affected by this • Slow emancipation of the composer • The decline of works for hire • three masters examples-in timeline order

13. The Classical Period and the World(1750-1820) • Haydn • Wealthy aristocrat hires • Contract of employment as skilled servant • (not unlike what a gardener would sign) • Wore a uniform • Composed music to order for court • Warned to live cleanly

14. The Classical Period and the World(1750-1820) • MOZART • Born just 24 years after Haydn • Starts as court musician • Cant bear being a servant • Tries luck in Vienna as independent freelance musician • Has some minor freelance success • Dies in debt

15. The Classical Period and the World(1750-1820) • BEETHOVEN • A few years after Mozart’s death is able to freelance in Vienna successfully • Success due to emerging Middle Class market for music

16. The Classical Period and the World(1750-1820) • THE Emerging MIDDLE CLASS • Hungry for aristocratic luxuries such as theater and music • Court concerts closed to public • Middle class would organize public concerts to hear same works • Middle Class wanted more….. • Music lessons • Instruments • Printed music

17. The Classical Period and the World(1750-1820) • Emerging MIDDLE CLASS • Composers wrote pieces aimed at amateur musicians • Comic opera to appeal to broader (non aristocratic) audience • Popular & folk tunes as themes in major works (symphonies, ect..) • Three masters all wrote dance pieces for public balls in Vienna

18. The Classical Period and the World(1750-1820) • VIENNA • The city had great love of music • Demand for new works make it a good choice for the three masters • The three masters all born in other city’s • Eventually all are drawn to Vienna • At the time, 4th largest city in Europe in 1800 with over 250,000 people

19. The Classical Period and the World(1750-1820) • VIENNA • Haydn & Mozart were contemporary’s and friendly • Beethoven was a student of both • Aristocratic and royal courts spent winter’s in Vienna • Mixed orchestras of nobles, pro musicians,& wealthy middle class

20. The Classical Period and the World(1750-1820) • VIENNA • Lots of outdoor informal concerts • Specific pieces called Serenades written especially for this • Truly was the place to be at the time for the Arts