CLASSICISM
Interior of a theater and public in 18th century (c. 1800)
INTRODUCTION
The Classicism is the artistic period that runs from the mid-18th century to the early 19th century (from the death of J. S. Bach in 1750 to the première of Beethoven's 3rd Symphony Eroica in 1805).
The 18th century was the Age of Enlightenment, philosophical movement favoured by the bourgeoisie which led to the French Revolution that broke the power of absolute monarchies. It was based on the idea that reason is the only tool to find the truth in all things.
Music became available to a wider audience. It was played in churches and palaces, but also in bourgeois circles like private houses, halls and public concerts. Composers started to turn into liberal artists, but they were still considered servants. Vienna became the musical capital of Europe. Main composers from the Viennese school were Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven.
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Characteristics​
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Composers searched for formal perfection: order, proportion, balance and beauty.
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Rhythm: it was very regular and simple.
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Melody: it was balanced and symmetrical.
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Harmony: it became simpler and clearer.
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Texture: homophony prevailed, with a clear melody above a subordinate chordal accompaniment. The favourite accompaniment pattern was the Alberti bass, which featured a broken or arpeggio chord.
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Timbre: the orchestra increased in size and range.
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Composers
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Germany: Beethoven, Gluck, Stamitz.
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Austria: Haydn, Mozart.
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ltaly: Boccherini, Salieri, Clementi.
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Spain: Martín y Soler, Juan Crisóstomo Arriaga.
Mozart
Beethoven
PROFANE VOCAL MUSIC
Opera was the main profane vocal genre. Classical opera eliminated the excesses of the Baroque and took the plots and characters closer to the new bourgeois audience. Two styles of opera were developed:
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Opera seria: operatic genre characterized by plots based on mythological and heroic topics. Gluck (Orpheus and Eurydice) began the reformation using simpler music and more plausible storylines.
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Opera buffa / comic opera: operatic genre characterized by plots based on daily life. The audience understood this kind of opera better and it became the favourite opera genre. Main composer was Mozart (The Marriage of Figaro, The Magic Flute).
Gluck - Orpheus and Eurydice.
Aria "Che farò senza Euridice?"
Mozart - The Magic Flute.
Aria "Der Vogelfanger bin Ich ja"
RELIGIOUS VOCAL MUSIC
Oratorio was identical to opera in the late 18th century. Main composer was Haydn (The Creation).
Mass became an operatic styled piece written for orchestra, choir and soloists.
Some Baroque characteristics like fugal choruses and basso continuo parts still remained in Classical sacred music.
Mozart - Requiem
(Confutatis 25:05 Lacrimosa 28:19)
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
Instrumental music became more important than vocal music.
The modern symphony orchestra was born, including fuller sounding strings, flutes, clarinets, oboes and bassoons.
Chamber music is written for a small group of instruments and it was also important in this era. The main ensemble for chamber music was the string quartet, made up of 2 violins, 1 viola and 1 cello.
Bartolomeo Cristofori designed an early version of the piano called fortepiano or pianoforte around 1760. It was the instrument for which Haydn, Mozart and the early Beethoven wrote their piano music.
Sonata form
The structure of all instrumental forms in this era was based on sonata form. It has three sections:
1. Exposition: it introduces all the themes and it's commonly repeated.
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1st theme: it's lively, rhythmic and energetic. It's in the tonic key (original key).
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Bridge: it connects both themes.
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2nd theme: it's melodic, lyrical and cantabile. It's in the dominant key (a 5th higher than the tonic).
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Codetta: brief cadence to close this section.
2. Development: the composer alters the themes and may include new material. It is the freest section.
3. Recapitulation: it restates the themes from the exposition, but this time they are all in the tonic key.
Sometimes sonata form includes an INTRODUCTION at the beginning and a CODA at the end.
Sonata: instrumental form with three or four contrasting movements written for one or two solo instruments.
I. Fast (Allegro), in sonata form. I. Fast (Allegro), in sonata form.
II. Slow (Adagio). II. Slow (Adagio).
III. Fast (Allegro). III. Dance (Minuet / Scherzo).
IV. Fast (Allegro).
Concerto: instrumental form with three contrasting movements written for orchestra and soloist.
I. Fast (Allegro), in sonata form.
II. Slow (Adagio).
III. Fast (Allegro).
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Symphony: instrumental form with four contrasting movements written for orchestra.
I. Fast (Allegro), in sonata form.
II. Slow (Adagio).
III. Dance (Minuet / Scherzo).
IV. Fast (Allegro).
Mozart - Piano Sonata n. 16 K.545
Mozart - Clarinet Concerto. II. Adagio
Haydn - Symphony n. 45 "Farewell" IV. Finale
Instruments
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String: harp (1), string quartet (2), pianoforte (3).
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Wind: clarinet (4).
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Percussion: triangle (5), cymbals (6).
LISTENING EXAMPLES
PROFANE VOCAL MUSIC
Mozart - "Der Hölle Rache" (The Magic Flute)
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Rhythm: quadruple time signature (4/4).
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Texture: accompanied melody.
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Timbre: soprano and orchestra.
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Form: aria of opera.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
Mozart - Eine kleine Nachtmusik K 525
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Rhythm: quadruple time signature (4/4).
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Texture: accompanied melody.
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Timbre: orchestra.
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Form: sonata form.