MUS115 art, music
& ideas
Classical Era Music (1770-1820)
CHAMBER MUSIC becomes
distinct from orchestral music. This
more intimate music, using between 1 and several musicians, includes genres
such as string quartets, piano sonatas, violin sonatas (which are for violin
and piano) and other combinations.
[1] Haydn
-- first movement from String Quartet in C Major, Opus 76 No. 3,
"Emperor"
-- clarity of texture
-- four-part texture with different roles or personalities
for each part, as if the music was a conversation among four people
-- short motific ideas rather than long melodies; sonata form
-- The string quartet as an ensemble is made up
of 2 violins, viola and cello.
-- The string quartet as a musical genre
is a multi-movement work similar to the symphony in that it usually has 4
movements, with a pattern of the first movement being in sonata form and fast,
a slow movement, a medium tempo dance movement, and a fast final movement.
[2] Haydn -- first movement from
Sonata in C Major, No. 50
-- clarity of texture
-- contrast of mood within one movement
-- piano sonata
-- short motific ideas rather than long melodies
-- sonata form
OPERA
continues from the Baroque Era with some changes . . .
-- all voice ranges used (instead of the Baroque’s treble +
bass preference)
-- ensembles (groups of solo voices) now contrasted with
arias and recitative
-- often about contemporary characters, not
mythological figures or ancient history from Rome or Greece
-- biting social commentary: the decadent
aristocracy is compared to the normal, happy, healthy lust and love of the
common folk
-- recitative still used
[3] Mozart – ensemble finale from Act II of The
Marriage of Figaro, an opera
-- an ensemble scene (six voices) 3:42
-- contrasting emotions presented simultaneously
(compare that to the Baroque ideal aesthetic of Affect, one mood or emotion per
piece)
RECOGNIZE TEXTBOOK CD FIGARO EXAMPLE (Act I,
Scene I) track 12
The SYMPHONY emerges as a genre as the orchestra is developed and
standardized.
[4] Mozart – 1st
movement from Symphony No. 40 in G minor
-- Minor key; Sonata form – very clear. p. 320-21 in text. Composed in 1790.
[5] Mozart -- first movement from
Symphony No. 35 in D Major, K. 385, "Haffner"
-- begins with a huge leap; there is a variety
of articulations and textures
-- clarity of texture and clarity of musical
ideas
-- sonata form: the modulation to the second theme/key is complete at about 1:30; the development section starts at about 2:34; the recapitulation begins at about 3:29.
-- major key
-- the development section plays with the
contrast of minor keys to the home key of the piece (which is major)
Date data:
Joseph Haydn 1732-1809; W.A.
Mozart, 1756-1791.
"Pre-Classical" Era, 1750-1770
US INDEPENDENCE 1776; US CONSTITUTION DRAFTED 1787; WASHINGTON BECOMES PRESIDENT, 1789. FRENCH REVOLUTION STARTS in 1789
KEY
IMAGES Know artist & style for
all: Fragonard,
The Swing, Rococo, 11.8
Lebrun, Self-Portrait with Daughter, Neo-Classical,
Bourgeois, 11.9
J.L.
David, Oath of the Horatii, Neo-Classical, 11.23
Jefferson,
Monticello, 11.21