E L EM E N T S O F
CL A S S I C AL
PE R I O D
Classical music is most likely familiar
than we might first imagine. In fact,
nowadays it is all around us. Whether we
may be in public places, classical music is
used as theme and incidental music on
television, and background music for movies.
DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES BETWEEN
BAROQUE AND CLASSICAL MUSIC
Classical Period Similarities Baroque Period
Not pop, regular, and Flowery writing that
Made heavy used of
consistent phrase produces emotional
singers
structure String, Woodwind, and response
musical phrases tend to musical phrases tend to
Brass Instruments
value symmetry and Musical Form: Sonatas, go on and on,
balance somewhat continuously
Shorter, more regular Concertos, and
Symphonies Longer Phrases with
phrases fewer cadences
MUSIC OF THE CLASSICAL PERIOD (1750-1820)
The classical era, also called as the “age of
reason”, is the period from 1750-1820. The cultural
life was dominated by aristocracies, who, as patrons
of musicians and artists, generally influenced the
arts. Significant changes in musical forms and styles
were made.
WHY “AGE OF REASON?
In the Age or Reason, it was accepted that all
activities were to be governed by the intellect.
Logic replaced emotion, even in music and the
other arts. Classical music was focused on clarity,
precision, and formal structure.
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.
The instruments used in classical music
generally come from five or so different groups of
instruments, including strings, woodwinds,
brasses, and percussions. The use of these types
of instruments generally makes up a symphonic
orchestra. When the human voice is added to this
ensemble of instrument - opera is formed.
STRING
Long flexible
structures on
string
instruments
that produce
sound through
vibration.
WOODWIN
DS FAMILY
A woodwind is a
type of musical
instrument that you
play by blowing into
its mouthpiece.
BRASS FAMILY
A brass instrument is a musical
instrument that produces sound
by sympathetic vibration of air
in a tubular resonator in
sympathy with the vibration of
the player's lips. Brass
instruments are also called
labrosones, literally meaning
“lip-vibrated instruments.”
PERCUSSIO
NS FAMILY
The beating or
striking of a
musical
instrument.
The forms of classical music are
numerous and tend to be very well-
defined.
CONCERTO
musical work in
which one solo
instrument is
accompanied by
an orchestra.
SYMPHONY
musical
composition and
is usually for an
orchestra.
OPERA
an art form in which
the singer and
musicians work
together to produce
a piece that
combines text and
musical.
DANCE MUSIC
Its specific use is to
facilitate or accompany
dancing. This form can
either be a whole
musical piece or part of
a larger musical
arrangement.
SUITE FORM
is an ordered set of
instrumental or
orchestral pieces of
music that are
performed in a
concert setting
rather than as
accompaniments
ETUDE
is a short musical
composition designed
to provide practice in
a technical skill in the
performance of a solo
instrument
SYMPHONIC
POEM
also known as a tone
poem, is a piece of
orchestral music in one
movement in which some
extra-musical program
provides a narrative or
illustrative event
CHARACTERISTICS OF CLASSICAL
MUSIC:
It is operatic. It has strong sense of
It is well-modulated. tension and release.
It gives great attention to It includes percussion
musical form. instruments.
It uses comic and witty It utilizes dynamics as
melodies. thematic material.
COMPOS E R S O F
CL A S S I C AL
PE R I O D
LESSON 2
M E NT A L A ND V O C A L
INSTR U
C L A S S I CA L
M U S I C OF
PERIOD
LESSON 3
SONATA
A 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.
1st Movement: Allegro – fast movement
2nd Movement: Slow tempo: (Andante, Largo, etc.),
mostly lyrical and emotional.
3rd Movement: Minuet: It is in three-four time and in a
moderate or fast tempo
SONATA ALLEGRO FORM
The most important form that was
developed during the Classical Era were
consist 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
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.
CONCERTO
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 OF CONCERTO
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
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
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.
CLASSICAL OPERA
The Opera Seria (serious opera) usually
implies heroic or tragic drama that employs
mythological characters, which was inherited
from the Baroque period.
Example: “Idomeneo” by Mozart
CLASSICAL OPERA
The 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.
Examples: “The Marriage of Figaro”, “Don Giovanni”, and
“The Magic Flute” are examples of popular Opera Buffa by
Mozart.
