Music History

Music History

Classical Period 1750 – 1825 AD

Music History Classical ---1750 – 1835 AD 1. Opera splits into two categories: a. Tragic Opera -also called opera seria -usually told a very sad story b. Comic Opera -also called opera buffa -usually told a funny story -Mozart made this style very popular

Music History F. Classical --- 1750 - 1825 AD 1. Opera splits into two categories:

Music History Classical --- 1750 - 1825 AD New instrumental musical styles: a. Symphony Orchestra -invented during the Classical Period -the Symphony Orchestra evolved from the Concerto Grosso of the Baroque period

-uses the same form as the Concerto Grosso (fast slow fast), but there is a fourth movement added after the slow movement. It is in 3 beats per measure: Fast Slow • The Classical Symphony 3 beats per measure has 4 sections or movements Fast

Music History Classical --- 1750 - 1825 AD New instrumental musical styles: a. Chamber Music -music for a small ensemble and audience (an ensemble is a group of musicians)

-usually consisted of two to eight different instruments -examples: String Quartet, Piano Trio

Music History Classical --- 1750 - 1825 AD New instrumental musical styles: Chamber Music (continued)

Music History Classical --- 1750 - 1825 AD Important Composers: a. Franz Joseph Haydn -From Vienna, Austria (the new center of musical activity) -very poor as a child, he taught himself to write music -experimented with every new musical style -most famous for writing Symphony Orchestras (104) and String Quartets (chamber music).

-nicknamed the Father of the Symphony - Two famous pieces by Haydn are the “Surprise Symphony” and “The Creation”

Music History Classical --- 1750 - 1825 AD Important Composers (continued): b. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - lived in Austria (the cities of Salzburg and Vienna) - a child prodigy and a musical genius

- composed in almost every musical style including concerto, string quartet, symphony, mass, and opera - most famous for writing comic opera - Two famous Mozart pieces include “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” and his opera “The Magic Flute”

Music History Classical --- 1750 - 1825 AD Important Composers (continued): b. Ludwig van Beethoven - born and lived in Germany - had a rough early life, which made him temperamental and mean later in life. - a very hard worker, Beethoven spent months on every composition. - went deaf later in his life (due to severe tinnitus) - most well-known for his symphonies - bridged the Classical and Romantic periods - Two famous pieces include his piano piece “Fur Elise,” and his 5th Symphony

Music History Classical --- 1750 - 1825 AD Important Details a. Simplicity is the important word of the Classical Period

b. The pianoforte was invented during this time and becomes the most important keyboard instrument