4. CLASSICISM
Interior of a theater and public in 18th century (c. 1800)
1. 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 Symphony No. 3 Eroica in 1805).
It was the Age of Enlightenment, philosophical movement based on the idea that reason is the only tool to find the truth in all things. ​
Music became available to a wider audience in public concerts. Composers started to turn into liberal artists, but they were still considered servants. Vienna became the musical capital of Europe and the main composers 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: regular and simple.
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Melody: balanced and symmetrical.
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Harmony: simpler and clearer.
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Texture: accompanied melody. The favourite accompaniment was the Alberti bass, with arpeggios.
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Timbre: the orchestra increased in size and range.
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Dynamics: frequent use of gradual dynamic changes (crescendo, diminuendo).
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Composers
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Germany: Beethoven, Gluck, Stamitz.
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Austria: Haydn, Mozart, Marianne von Martinez.
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ltaly: Boccherini, Salieri, Clementi, Anna Bon.
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Spain: Martín y Soler, Juan Crisóstomo Arriaga.
Mozart
Beethoven
2. PROFANE VOCAL MUSIC
Opera was the main profane vocal genre. Two operatic genres were developed:
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Opera seria: operatic genre with plots based on mythological and heroic topics, preferred by the nobility and the court. E.g. Orpheus and Eurydice by Gluck.
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Opera buffa: operatic genre with plots based on everyday life, which were easier for bourgeois audiences to understand. It became the favourite operatic genre. E.g. The Magic Flute by Mozart.
Gluck - Orpheus and Eurydice.
Aria "Che farò senza Euridice?"
Mozart - The Magic Flute.
Aria "Der Vogelfanger bin Ich ja"
3. 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)
4. 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 its main ensemble was the string quartet, made up of 2 violins, 1 viola and 1 cello.
Bartolomeo Cristofori around 1760 designed the pianoforte or fortepiano, an early version of the piano capable of playing both soft (piano) and loud (forte) dynamics. It was the instrument for which Haydn, Mozart and the early Beethoven wrote their piano music.
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Sonata form
The structure of all instrumental forms in this era was based on sonata form. It has three sections:
1. Exposition: opening section that introduces all the themes and it's commonly repeated.
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First theme: rhythmic and energetic; and it's in the tonic or original key.
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Bridge: it connects both themes.
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Second theme: melodic and lyrical; and it's in the dominant key, a 5th above the tonic.
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Codetta: brief cadence to close this section.
2. Development: middle section in which the composer alters the themes and may include new material.
3. Recapitulation: final section that restates the initial themes, 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 3 or 4 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 or Scherzo).
IV. Fast (Allegro).
Concerto: instrumental form with 3 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 4 contrasting movements written for orchestra.
I. Fast (Allegro), in sonata form.
II. Slow (Adagio).
III. Dance (Minuet or 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).
5. LISTENING EXAMPLES
PROFANE VOCAL MUSIC
Mozart - "Der Hölle Rache" (from the opera 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.