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