classical genres
TRANSCRIPT
Classical Genres
Vienna: Musical Capital Dominance of the Viennese School
Franz Joseph Haydn Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Ludwig van Beethoven
Other notable composers Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach Johann Christian Bach Muzio Clementi
Symphony Grows out of the Italian overture (sinfonia)
3 sections: fast, slow, fast Sections evolve into separate movements Mannheim (Germany) a center of early
symphonic innovation
Mannheim Innovations Inserting an additional movement
Minuet and trio inserted as third movement These are dances in triple time
Crescendo Gradually building volume from soft to loud
Rocket theme Rhythmic theme rising rapidly from low to
high register
Classical Orchestra Becomes the ensemble we know today Four instrumental families
Strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion Strings are the dominant family
Still smaller than today’s orchestras Classical orchestra: 30 – 40 players Modern orchestra: 90 – 100 players
Listening Example Title: Symphony No. 40 in G minor, I Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Genre: Symphony
Notes on Symphony No. 40, I Three themes in exposition
Theme 1 minor and urgent Transition theme interrupts repeat of 1 Theme 2 major and lyrical
Development focuses on theme 1 Extensive modulation and fugal treatment
Recap features unusual development Transition theme extended Theme 2 now in original key (minor)
Chamber Music Music on a smaller scale
Performance in more intimate setting – smaller room Music for small ensemble, 2-8 players One player to a part
String quartet becomes most popular Longer genres of chamber music
Divertimento Serenade (Eine Kleine Nachtmusik)
String Quartet Created by Haydn from trio sonata As name suggests, just four players
Two violins, one viola, one cello Equal participation by each instrument No conductor
A genre as well as an ensemble Same multi-movement cycle as symphony
Listening Example Title: Emperor Quartet, II Composer: Franz Joseph Haydn Genre: String Quartet
Notes on Emperor Quartet, II Theme and variations form Listen for repeated melody w/changes Listen for 2nd movement characteristics
Slow tempo Lyrical melody
Note the sound of the small ensemble Violins (2), viola, and cello only
Serenade Chamber music on slightly larger scale Follows multimovement cycle
Same movement structure as symphony Movements shorter – chamber music
Lighter in character Strings alone or small orchestra Eine Kleine Nachtmusik most famous
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik English: “A little night music” Serenade (1787) Likely intended as background music for
an aristocratic social event or party 1st movement has one of the most
recognized melodies of all classical music Homophonic texture overall
Listening Example Title: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, I Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Genre: Serenade
Notes on Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, I Fast tempo (Allegro) Sonata-allegro form (3 themes) First theme very famous (rocket theme) Contrast between themes:
1st theme (marchlike) 2nd theme (lyrical)
Duple meter
Notes on Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, III Minuet & Trio form (ABA) Each dance features a theme
Minuet is strongly rhythmic Trio is lyrical and expressive
Moderate tempo (Allegretto) Triple meter
Sonata Another important chamber music genre Three movements (no dance names) Fast-slow-fast pattern Very popular genre among amateur pianists The most published genre of the era Sonata’s rise tied to the rise of the piano
Sonata Usually composed for private performance Unless specified, sonata refers to solo
piano music Two additional types of sonata
Piano & Violin Piano & Cello
Beethoven’s piano sonatas most significant
Concerto Baroque concerto had various forms:
Small group vs. full orchestra Soloist vs. full orchestra
Classical concerto had one form: Soloist vs. full orchestra Piano and violin most common solo inst.
Structure of Classical Concerto Three separate movements (same as Baroque) Fast-slow-fast pattern Double exposition in 1st movement
Orchestra presents themes in 1st expo. Piano plays themes in 2nd expo. Often a new theme is presented in 2nd expo.
Cadenza featured in 1st movement recap
Cadenza Passage of solo virtuoso performance Improvisatory flavor Orchestra falls completely silent Rhythmic and melodic freedom Soloist cues conductor/orchestra with trill
Listening Example Title: Piano Concerto in A Major, I Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Genre: Concerto
Notes on Concerto in A Double exposition: orchestra then piano 4 themes total
Orchestra presents 3 themes in 1st expo. Piano presents the same themes in 2nd expo. Strings play a new theme at end of 2nd expo.
Cadenza in the recapitulation Piano plays the new theme in recap