RANFZ OSJEHP DAYHN

FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN

Historical Background
• The Classical era, also called “Age of
Reasons”, is the period from 1750-1820.
• The term "classical period" is generally
used to refer to the post-baroque & pre-
romantic era of music composed
between 1750 and 1820, which covers
the development of the classical
symphony and concerto.
•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. Classical music was
patronized primarily by the nobility.
• Music of this period was generally of an
orderly nature, with qualities of clarity &
balance, and emphasizing formal
beauty rather than emotional expression
• The Term classical denotes conformity
with the principles and characteristics of
ancient Greece and Roman literature
and art which were formal, elegant,
simple , freed and dignified.
• The same characteristics may also
describe the melodies of classical music.
Texture is generally homophonic. The use
of crescendo (<) and decrescendo (>)
augmented the forte and piano dynamics.
• Important historical events that occurred in
the West were the French Revolution and
the Napoleonic Wars, the American
declaration of Independence in 1776 and
the American Revolution
 Cultural Background
• Cultural life was dominated by the
aristocracy, as patrons of musicians and
artist who generally influenced the arts.
• The birth of classical civilization was
deeply rooted in the adventurous social,
economic and constitutional
restructuring that took place in the
Archaic period.
 Music Characteristics
• Harmony and texture is homophonic in
general
• The dynamics of loud and soft were clearly
shown through the extensive use of
crescendo and diminuendo
• The style of broken chord accompaniment
called Alberti Bass (chord pattern: low, high,
middle, high) was practiced.
• MELODY: Short and clearly defined
musical phrases with two or more
contrasting themes.
• RHYTHM: Very defined and regular.
• TEXTURE: Mostly Homophonic.
• TIMBRE: The symphony orchestra was
organized into four sections -strings,
woodwind, brass and percussion. The
harpsichord was seldom used.
Types of Classical Music
• Whereas most popular styles lend
themselves to the song form, classical
music has been noted for its
development of highly sophisticated
forms of instrumental music: these
include the Concerto, Symphony ,
Sonata , Suite , Etude , Symphonic Poem
, Opera and others.
•Sonata -multi-movement
work for solo instrument,
Sonata came from the word
“Sonare” which means to
make a sound. This term is
applied to a variety of works
for a solo instrument such as
keyboard or violin.
Below is an excerpt from
the 3 movements of the
Sonata No. 16 in C Major
K545 by W.A. Mozart. Listen
to each phrase of the
movement.
 SONATA ALLEGRO FORM
The most important form
that developed during the
classical era consists of 3
distinct sections: Exposition,
Development and
Recapitulation.
1. Exposition - the first part of a
composition in sonata form that
introduces the theme
2. Development is the middle part of
the sonata-allegro form wherein
themes are being developed
3. Recapitulation - repeats the theme
as they first emerge in the opening
exposition
•Concerto is a multi-movement work
designed for an instrumental soloist and
orchestra. It is a classical form of music
intended primarily to emphasize the
individuality of the solo instrument and to
exhibit the virtuosity and interpretative
abilities of the performer. The solo instruments
in classical concertos include violin, cello,
clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, horn and piano. A
concerto has three movements: fast, slow,
and fast.
3 MOVEMENTS:
• 1st Movement: Fast: Sonata-allegro form
with expositions of the orchestra and then
by the soloist.
• 2nd Movement: Slow: Has more
ornamentation than the First movement.
• 3rd Movement: Fast: Finale: usually in a form
of rondo, resembling the last movement of
the symphony and usually a short cadenza is
used.
•Symphony is a multi-
movement work for orchestra,
the symphony is derived from the
word “Sinfonia” which literally
means “a harmonious sounding
together”. It is a classical music
for the whole orchestra, generally
in four movements.
4 movements of the symphony:
•1st Movement: Fast: Sonata-allegro form
•2nd Movement: Slow : gentle, lyrical –
typical ABA form or theme and variation
•3rd Movement: Medium/Fast: uses a
dance form (Minuet or scherzo)
•4th Movement: Fast: typically Rondo or
Sonata form
•Overture-Has three
sections, a fast intro, a slow
middle section and a fast
ending.
 CLASSICAL OPERA
•Opera is a drama set to music
where singers and musicians
perform in a theatrical setting. The
two distinct styles of opera, Opera
Seria and Opera Buffa, were
developed during the Classical
Period.
•The Opera Seria (serious
opera) usually implies heroic or
tragic drama that employs
mythological characters,
which was inherited from the
Baroque period. “Idomeneo”
by Mozart is an example of
Opera Seria.
•Opera Buffa (comic opera) from Italy
made use of everyday characters and
situations, and typically employed
spoken dialogues, lengthy arias and
was spiced with sight gags, naughty
humor and social satire. “The Marriage
of Figaro”, “Don Giovanni”, and “The
Magic Flute” are examples of popular
Opera Buffa by Mozart.
FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN (1732-1809)
 Franz Joseph Haydn
(1732-1809)
•One of the most prominent
composers of the classical period.
•He came from poor family and his
music led his rise in social status.
•He became a musical director for
the Esterhazy family for 30 years.
•His music reflects his character and
personality :mainly calm , balanced ,
serious but touches of humor
•He composed 100 symphonies and
developed them into long forms for a
large orchestra.
•He was named “ Father of
Symphony”
Haydn’s Compositions
• Most of his symphonies have nicknames such
as the “ Surprise Symphony” , “ The clock “ ,
“The Military “.
• Symphony No. 94 in G major “Surprise “
2ndmovement
• Symphony No. 101 in D major , “The Clock “
• Symphony No. 100 in G major, “Military”
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART (1756-
1791)
 Wolfgang Amadeus
Mozart 1756 -1791
•He is a child prodigy and the most
amazing genius in musical history.
•At age thirteen, he had written
sonatas, concertos, symphonies ,
religious works , and operas and
operettas.
•He experimented in all kinds of
music and composed over 700
works.
•Unfortunately , due to mismanaged
finances he lived his life in poverty ,
died young and was buried in an
unknown grave.
 Mozart’s Compositions
• He composed wonderful concertos ,
symphonies and operas 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.
• Piano Sonata No. 16 in C major, K.545 (so
called facile or semplice sonata)
• Piano Sonata No.11, K331 in A major , 1stmov.
(Andante Grazioso)
• Symphony No. 40 in G minor, 1stmov. (Molto
Allegro)
• Serenade in G minor (Eine Kleine
Nachtmusik)
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Ludwig Van Beethoven
1770-1827
•He was born in Bonn , Germany to a
family of musicians and studied
music at an early age.
•He was the composer who bridged
the late Classical era and the early
Romantic era.
• His famous compositions include 32
piano sonatas, 21 set of variation, 9
symphonies , 5 concertos for piano, 16
string quarters and choral music
• His works include the “Missa Solemnis“
(1818-1823) and opera “ Fidelio “ (1805)
• His known symphonies are : Symphony
no. 3 (Eroica), No. 5 (Pastoral), No.9
(Choral ) , which adds voices to the
orchestra.
•He began to be deaf in 1796 but this
did not became a hindrance, He
continued composing through the
help of an assistant and hearing
gadget. Some of his famous
compositions were made when he
was deaf.
 Characteristics of
Beethoven’s works
•His music veered toward larger
orchestra
•Sound was centered on the violas
and lower registers of the violins and
cellos to give his music a darker
mood.
• All themes in a piece are tied together
by one motif.
• He developed musical themes and
motifs extensively by means of
modulation.
• He uses more brass instruments and
dynamics
 Beethoven’s
Compositions
• Piano Sonata no. 14 in C sharp minor (
Moonlight) 1stmov. Op. 27 no. 2
• •Piano Concerto no. 1 in C major Op. 15
• •Piano Concerto no. 5 “ Emperor” in E flat
major op. 73
• •Symphony no. 5 Op.67. C minor
• •Symphony No.9, Op. 125, d minor “Choral”