(Neo) Classical Music

1
(Neo) Classical Music

• Transition from Baroque to Romanticism

2
Neo? Classical

• Although the following developments happened
  during the time period we are calling
  Neoclassical in class, this period in music is
  most often referred to in modern times as simply
  Classical
• It is important to note that Classical music in
  todays culture is regarded as a genre as well as
  a time period. Not all music labeled as
  Classical was composed during this period.

3
Remember the Baroque

• The Baroque period was known for its
  ornamentation.
• Polyphony (many melodic lines at once) was a
  predominant feature of Baroque Music.
• Opera Seria was the most common form of opera at
  the time.

4
Shifting to the Classical

• Like in other art forms during this period an
  order and clarity was brought to music.
• Polyphony was replaced by Homophony
• Homophonic music is characterized by a singular
  melody over a subordinate (or supporting)
  harmony.
• This allowed the tonal structure of works to
  become more audible.
• This created the need for notating the melodic
  line for dynamics and phrasing.

5
Opera

• Public taste shifted from Opera Seria to Comic
  Opera.
• The music of Comic Opera was usual much simpler.
• The story usually focused on ordinary people
  rather than grand historical figures.

6
Instrumental Music

• The fortepiano (the precursor to the modern
  piano) replaced the harpsichord.
• (The fortepiano is the piano like instrument seen
  in the film Amadeus with the reversed black and
  white keys and the lighter sound of our modern
  pianos)
• Main types of instrumental music were sonata,
  trio, string quartet, symphony, concerto,
  serenade and divertimento

7
Sonata Form

• The Sonata Form developed during this time.
• NOT to be confused with a Sonata
• The Sonata Form was a way of structuring the
  first movement in a multi-movement composition.
• Also called First movement form and Sonata
  Allegro Form since the first movement is usually
  in an allegro tempo

8
Sonata Form continued

• The main parts of the Sonata Form are
• Introduction- optional
• Exposition- introduction of theme (perhaps a
  melody)
• Development- playing around with themes form the
  exposition
• Recapitulation- return to the Exposition but
  altered slightly (for emphasis)
• Coda- tag

9
Symphony

• Composed for full orchestra
• 3-4 movements
• 1st and 4th movement always fast.
• 1st Movement- sonata or allegro
• 2nd Movement- a slow movement or adagio
• 3rd Movement- a minuet with trio or Beethoven 4
  movement solo sonata
• 4th Movement- an allegro, rondo or sonata.

10
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

• 1756-1791
• Born is Salzburg (what is now Austria)
• Child prodigy, began composing at the age of 5
• Composed for a variety genres including
• Opera, sonata, piano concertos, symphony, string
  quartet, chamber music, dance music, solo piano.

11
Mozart

• Most famous works
• Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
• Piano Concerto 21
• Requiem Mass (unfinished)
• Opera
• The Marriage of Figaro
• Don Giovanni
• The Magic Flute

12
Ludwig Van Beethoven

• German composer, born in late 1700s
• Most famous for continuing to compose music even
  after going completely deaf
• Also wrote for a variety of genres
• Very important to the development of music. He
  is regarded as the connection between the
  (Neo)classical period and the Romantic Era.

13
Beethoven

• Most famous works
• Fur Elise
• 9th Symphony Ode to Joy
• Moonlight Sonata

14

• Mozart and Beethoven are two of the most famous
  composers of all time.
• Although you may not have recognized the tunes
  played by name you probably recognize the tunes.
• Their tunes are used frequently in movies, TV
  etc.
• (Beethovens Moonlight Sonata actually appears in
  Youre A Good Man Charlie Brown)