orchestral landmarks. classical or non-classical? cadenza recapitulation tone row balanced phrasing...
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Classical or non-classical?Cadenza Recapitulation
Tone row
Balanced phrasing
Melody in the strings
Schubert
Wagner
Programme musicConcerto
Minimalism
Dissonance
Exposition
Classical or non-classical?
Cadenza
Recapitulation
Tone row
Balanced phrasing
Melody in the strings
Schubert
Wagner
Programme musicConcerto
Minimalism
DissonanceExposition
Orchestral Landmarks
• Classical period (1750 – 1800)
• Late Classical (1800 – 1830)
• Romantic period (1830 – 1900)
• 20th Century (1900 – 2000)
Late Classical (1800-1830)• Beethoven increased the size of the orchestra (cymbals, bass drum, triangle,
three trombones, piccolo, double bassoon, lots of strings) and even added a choir.
• Uses classical structures (symphony, concerto etc) but creates tension and drama.
• Includes powerful themes (5th Symphony)
• Contrasting sections (brass against strings)
• Introduction of dynamic variation. .
• Rhythm drives the music forward. .
Programme Music
• Usually based on a feeling, book, painting or poem. Programme music tells a story.
• Creates pictures with sound (woody clarinet/birdlike flute – tone colour).
• Orchestration was a key concern of Romantic composers.
Romantic Revolution!
• Massive range of dynamics (ppp, sf, ppp in one bar).
• Expression markings (dolce, amoroso, agitato etc)
• Frequent tempo changes (inc rubato)
• Changes in texture are commonplace
Romantic Structures
• Symphonic / Tone Poem – large, 1 movement piece often using a single theme which develops all the way through the piece.
• Incidental Music – played between the acts of a play. Music reflects the action on stage. Peer Gynt – Grieg (1875)
Classical Orchestra (30 - 40 players)
Kettle Drums
French Horns Trumpets
Flutes Clarinets
Oboes Bassoons
Second Violins Double Basses
Violas
First Violins Cellos
Romantic Orchestra (70 players)
+Cymbals +Triangle + Tubular Bells
+Bass Drum +Piano
+Tuba
+Piccolo +Cor Anglais +Bass Clarinet
+Double Bassoon +Saxophone
+Harp
Romantic Orchestra
• Any instrument could have the melody or a solo.
• Valves in brass instruments led to extended parts.
• Introduction of a conductor.
• Sections of the orchestra were treated like ensembles.
Nationalist Music
• Some composers used dance rhythms or folk melodies from their countries.
• 1812 Overture – Tchaikovsky
A Liszt of some Romantic Composers
• Liszt• Johann Strauss II• Tchaikovsky• Richard Strauss• Verdi• Wagner• Schumann• Chopin• Berlioz
• Smetana• Brahms• Dvořák • Grieg• Rachmaninoff• Sibelius