classical era. classicism defined the period of the ancient greeks and romans a standard (enduring)...
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Classicism DefinedClassicism Defined
The period of the ancient Greeks and Romans
A standard (enduring)
Genre of music
Time period
The period of the ancient Greeks and Romans
A standard (enduring)
Genre of music
Time period
1750-1820
ArchitectureArchitectureRecalled ancient classical
U.S. Capital
Monticello
Recalled ancient classical
U.S. Capital
Monticello
Music of the Classical Era
Music of the Classical Era
Began: death of Bach
Ended: Beethoven (mid-life)
Began: death of Bach
Ended: Beethoven (mid-life)
Classical ThinkingClassical Thinking
Reason was supreme
Sought the perfect society
Enlightenment
Beauty
Rules were valuable
Reason was supreme
Sought the perfect society
Enlightenment
Beauty
Rules were valuable
Music of the Classical Era
Music of the Classical Era
Written for middle class
Non-sophisticated Listener
Simple and Melodic Themes
Large Room
Movements have beginning, middle, end
Easier to play
Written for middle class
Non-sophisticated Listener
Simple and Melodic Themes
Large Room
Movements have beginning, middle, end
Easier to play
Joseph HaydnJoseph HaydnFather figure to Mozart and BeethovenWorked for Prince Esterhazy Father of the symphonyIncluded jokes in his symphoniesWrote in most genresFreely gave time and adviceRelationship with Mozart
Father figure to Mozart and BeethovenWorked for Prince Esterhazy Father of the symphonyIncluded jokes in his symphoniesWrote in most genresFreely gave time and adviceRelationship with Mozart
“I write my music in order that the weary and worn or the men burdened with affairs might enjoy a few minutes of solace and refreshment.”
— Haydn
“I write my music in order that the weary and worn or the men burdened with affairs might enjoy a few minutes of solace and refreshment.”
— Haydn
Haydn?Haydn?
Haydn was a traditionalist first.
Haydn believed that ISOLATION forces one to be come an original.
He was isolated in the Esterhazy Palace for most of his career. His music is original.
Beethoven will realize this pathos later in in career.
Haydn was a traditionalist first.
Haydn believed that ISOLATION forces one to be come an original.
He was isolated in the Esterhazy Palace for most of his career. His music is original.
Beethoven will realize this pathos later in in career.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
1756-1791
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
1756-1791Born in Salzburg
7th child of Leopola and Anna Maria
only he and sister Nannerl survived infancy
Born in Salzburg
7th child of Leopola and Anna Maria
only he and sister Nannerl survived infancy
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Began composing before age 5
Life of depression and creativity
In Salzburg
Court composer
Vienna
Friendship with Haydn
Struggle for money
Began composing before age 5
Life of depression and creativity
In Salzburg
Court composer
Vienna
Friendship with Haydn
Struggle for money
Mozart played for kings and queens.
This portrait of him was painted in 1762, when he was
six years old.
Mozart played for kings and queens.
This portrait of him was painted in 1762, when he was
six years old. Children during Mozart’s time dressed just like adults. He just finished playing for Empress Maria Theresa of Austria.
As Mozart grew older, his
reputation spread. Not only was he a gifted musician, but he could also compose his own
music.
As Mozart grew older, his
reputation spread. Not only was he a gifted musician, but he could also compose his own
music. Mozart at 14, 1770. Mozart at 14, 1770.
Mozart’s MusicMozart’s Music
Simple melodies
Contrasting moods
Rich orchestration
Perfected the serenade
Simple melodies
Contrasting moods
Rich orchestration
Perfected the serenade
Able to hear complete pieces in his headCapability for output
10 years:8 Symphonies17 Piano Concertos6 OperasClarinet quartet and quintetRequiem Mass11 String Quartets5 String QuintetsMany Individual Works
Able to hear complete pieces in his headCapability for output
10 years:8 Symphonies17 Piano Concertos6 OperasClarinet quartet and quintetRequiem Mass11 String Quartets5 String QuintetsMany Individual Works
“Though it be long, the work is complete and finished in my mind. I take out of the bag of my memory what has previously been collected into it. For this reason the committing to paper is done quickly enough.”
— Mozart
“Though it be long, the work is complete and finished in my mind. I take out of the bag of my memory what has previously been collected into it. For this reason the committing to paper is done quickly enough.”
— Mozart
“What a delight this is I cannot tell — all this producing takes place in a pleasing, lively dream.”
— Mozart
“What a delight this is I cannot tell — all this producing takes place in a pleasing, lively dream.”
— Mozart
This portrait, painted after Mozart’s death, is said to look the most like
him. It was painted in 1819.
This portrait, painted after Mozart’s death, is said to look the most like
him. It was painted in 1819.
Mozart was 35 years old when
he died in 1791. In his short life he wrote over
600 compositions.
Mozart was 35 years old when
he died in 1791. In his short life he wrote over
600 compositions.
Ludwig Van BeethovenLudwig Van Beethoven
1770-1827.
Born in Bonn.
Died in Vienna.
1770-1827.
Born in Bonn.
Died in Vienna.
Young adulthoodYoung adulthood
Beethoven went to Vienna, Austria to learn more about composing when he was 17; played for Mozart
He had to return home when his mother died, and help raise his brothers.
Returned to Austria, studied with Haydn
Became a “rock star” at improvisation (‘duels’)
Helped make the piano popular
Beethoven went to Vienna, Austria to learn more about composing when he was 17; played for Mozart
He had to return home when his mother died, and help raise his brothers.
Returned to Austria, studied with Haydn
Became a “rock star” at improvisation (‘duels’)
Helped make the piano popular
“I carry my thoughts within me long, often very long before I write them down. As I know what I want, the fundamental idea never deserts me. It mounts, it grows in stature. I hear, I see the picture in its whole extent standing all of a piece before my spirit, and there remains for me only the task of writing it down.”
-Beethoven
“I carry my thoughts within me long, often very long before I write them down. As I know what I want, the fundamental idea never deserts me. It mounts, it grows in stature. I hear, I see the picture in its whole extent standing all of a piece before my spirit, and there remains for me only the task of writing it down.”
-Beethoven
Beethoven’s MusicBeethoven’s MusicWas the transition from the Classical to the Romantic Period
Famous works3rd Symphony (Eroica)
5th Symphony (Fate)
9th Symphony (Ode to Joy)
Moonlight Sonata
Sonata Appassionata
Sonata Pathetique
Was the transition from the Classical to the Romantic Period
Famous works3rd Symphony (Eroica)
5th Symphony (Fate)
9th Symphony (Ode to Joy)
Moonlight Sonata
Sonata Appassionata
Sonata Pathetique
Beethoven’s DeafnessBeethoven’s Deafness
“Though born with a fiery, active temperament I was soon to withdraw from society, to live a life alone. If at times I tried to forget all this, oh how harshly was I flung back by the doubly sad experience of my bad hearing. Yet it wasn’t possible for me to say to people, “Speak Louder, shout for I am deaf! Ah, how could I possibly admit to an infirmity in the one sense that ought to be more perfect in me than in others, a sense that I once possessed in the highest degree.”
“Though born with a fiery, active temperament I was soon to withdraw from society, to live a life alone. If at times I tried to forget all this, oh how harshly was I flung back by the doubly sad experience of my bad hearing. Yet it wasn’t possible for me to say to people, “Speak Louder, shout for I am deaf! Ah, how could I possibly admit to an infirmity in the one sense that ought to be more perfect in me than in others, a sense that I once possessed in the highest degree.”
1796/8: First signs of deafness
1801: Complains of buzzing in ears in letter to Wegeler; Amenda
1802: “Heiligenstadt testament” - Beethoven writes of his despair at worsening hearing
1814: Further deterioration sets in. Last public appearence as pianist
1816-18: Use of ear trumpets
1818-27: Conversation books. (Conversation had to be written)
1823: Almost totally deaf (left ear not as bad as right)
1796/8: First signs of deafness
1801: Complains of buzzing in ears in letter to Wegeler; Amenda
1802: “Heiligenstadt testament” - Beethoven writes of his despair at worsening hearing
1814: Further deterioration sets in. Last public appearence as pianist
1816-18: Use of ear trumpets
1818-27: Conversation books. (Conversation had to be written)
1823: Almost totally deaf (left ear not as bad as right)
“I am resolved to rise superior to every obstacle. With whom need I be afraid of measuring my own strength? I will take Fate by the throat. It shall not overcome me. O how beautiful it is to be alive—would that I could live a thousand times.”
-Beethoven
“I am resolved to rise superior to every obstacle. With whom need I be afraid of measuring my own strength? I will take Fate by the throat. It shall not overcome me. O how beautiful it is to be alive—would that I could live a thousand times.”
-Beethoven
“How humiliated I have felt if somebody standing beside me heard the sound of a flute in the distance and I heard nothing...It is impossible for me to say to people, ‘Speak louder, for I am deaf.’ How would it be possible for me to admit to a weakness of the one sense that should be perfect to a higher degree in me than in theirs. So forgive me if you see me draw back from your company which I would so gladly share. I would have ended my life. It was only my art that held me back for it seemed impossible to leave the world until I have brought forth all that is within me.”
— Beethoven
“How humiliated I have felt if somebody standing beside me heard the sound of a flute in the distance and I heard nothing...It is impossible for me to say to people, ‘Speak louder, for I am deaf.’ How would it be possible for me to admit to a weakness of the one sense that should be perfect to a higher degree in me than in theirs. So forgive me if you see me draw back from your company which I would so gladly share. I would have ended my life. It was only my art that held me back for it seemed impossible to leave the world until I have brought forth all that is within me.”
— Beethoven
He could hear the music inside his head….and he
wasn’t bothered with other noises around him.
He wrote some of his best music during this time.
He could hear the music inside his head….and he
wasn’t bothered with other noises around him.
He wrote some of his best music during this time.
Patronage SystemPatronage System
Exchange of artistic services for A place to live
A Salary
Clothes
Rank in SocietyDepends on the patron.
Servant to aristocratic patronage.
Exchange of artistic services for A place to live
A Salary
Clothes
Rank in SocietyDepends on the patron.
Servant to aristocratic patronage.
Patronage: a ComparisonPatronage: a Comparison
Haydn: patron was Prince Esterhazy
Mozart: tried to free lance
Beethoven: independent, of the new order of composers
Haydn: patron was Prince Esterhazy
Mozart: tried to free lance
Beethoven: independent, of the new order of composers
Patronage: a ComparisonPatronage: a Comparison
Haydn: patron was Prince Esterhazy
Esterhazy Palace Esterhazy Concert Hall
Haydn: patron was Prince Esterhazy
Esterhazy Palace Esterhazy Concert Hall
“My prince was always satisfied with my works. I not only had the encouragement of constant approval, but as conductor of an orchestra, I could make experiments, observe what produced an effect and what weakened it, and was thus in a position to improve, alter, make additions, or omissions and be as bold as I pleased. I was cut off from the world. There was no one to confuse or torment me. I was forced to become original.”
— Haydn
“My prince was always satisfied with my works. I not only had the encouragement of constant approval, but as conductor of an orchestra, I could make experiments, observe what produced an effect and what weakened it, and was thus in a position to improve, alter, make additions, or omissions and be as bold as I pleased. I was cut off from the world. There was no one to confuse or torment me. I was forced to become original.”
— Haydn
Patronage: a ComparisonPatronage: a ComparisonMozart detested the patronage system (the artist was bound by the whim of the patron)
He didn’t get along with his patron (Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg)
Tried to be free lance (subscription concerts, operas, commissions, concert tours)
Mozart detested the patronage system (the artist was bound by the whim of the patron)
He didn’t get along with his patron (Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg)
Tried to be free lance (subscription concerts, operas, commissions, concert tours)
“[My pay is] too much for what I do, too little for what I could do.”
— Mozart
“[My pay is] too much for what I do, too little for what I could do.”
— Mozart
Beethoven manipulated the patronage system so that he could live more freely.Gave music lessons to wealthy families.Sold music to many publishers.Even when Napoleon was threatening the whole survival of continental Europeans, Beethoven had contacts with publishers in England who would continue to publish his music. Invited into the homes of the aristocracy.Treated as an equal to the aristocracy.Demanded respect.
Beethoven manipulated the patronage system so that he could live more freely.Gave music lessons to wealthy families.Sold music to many publishers.Even when Napoleon was threatening the whole survival of continental Europeans, Beethoven had contacts with publishers in England who would continue to publish his music. Invited into the homes of the aristocracy.Treated as an equal to the aristocracy.Demanded respect.
Beethoven’s ContractBeethoven’s Contract
“But as it has been demonstrated that only one when he is free from care as possible can devote himself to a single department of activity and create works of magnitude which are exalted and which ennoble art, the undersigned have decided to place Herr Ludwig van Beethoven in a position where the necessities of life shall not cause him embarrassment or clog his powerful genius.”
“But as it has been demonstrated that only one when he is free from care as possible can devote himself to a single department of activity and create works of magnitude which are exalted and which ennoble art, the undersigned have decided to place Herr Ludwig van Beethoven in a position where the necessities of life shall not cause him embarrassment or clog his powerful genius.”
Beethoven’s ContractBeethoven’s Contract
All Beethoven had to do was to declare Vienna his home.”
It is good to walk among the aristocracy, but first you must MAKE them respect you.”
All Beethoven had to do was to declare Vienna his home.”
It is good to walk among the aristocracy, but first you must MAKE them respect you.”
Ruminate on...Ruminate on...patronage and
HaydnMozartBeethoven
why the French Revolution and industrialization led to the demise of patronage.why less complex music is favored in classical culture.
patronage andHaydnMozartBeethoven
why the French Revolution and industrialization led to the demise of patronage.why less complex music is favored in classical culture.