1750-1830

Unit 4:

Classical

Review

PhraseCadenceHomophonic

“Having one part or melody predominating” All sounds (full chords) moving at the same time

Listening Example: Symphony No 94 in G major (“Surprise”)

Movement 2 (most famous) Written in 1791 (while in London)

Typical Classical Characteristics: Standard symphonic structure:

4 movements. Strict forms: sonata, Theme and Variation, minuet and trio, and rondo

Larger orchestra: two flutes, oboes, bassoons, horns, trumpets, plus timpani and string section

Strict repetition of simple ideas (“motives”) Drastic use of BOTH major and minor

Balances form, phrases, expressions… and adds comedy.

New Vocabulary:

Motive

A short, musical idea

The most distinct part of the musical phrase

A “hook”

Listening Example:String Quartet Op 33, No. 2, Mvt 4 – “The Joke”

MOTIVE introduced in first two measures Short, easy to remember, “cute”Use of SILENCE (rests), unexpected, amusing.

Find the steady beat – what do you notice? Fast! “triplet” feel, the music is written in a special time

signature!

More than comedy – Revolutionary Harmony!

INTERVALS The number used to say how far apart two pitches are Originally used to create the first harmonies

(Medieval!) Evolved into Fauxbourdon; Evolved into Chords

Once chords were established and considered as full, unique sounds (more than just a stacking of intervals or numbers,) Haydn got CREATIVE with how he thought of intervals!String Quartet,Op 76, No 2. – “Fifths”

All four movements have a MOTIVE that centers around an INTERVAL

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/jackfishman/2011/06/haydns-head/