Occasionally, composer simply borrowed popular tunes, but more often, they wrote original themes with a popular character. Classical melodies often sound balanced and symmetrical because they are frequently made up of two phrases of the same length. The second phrase, in such melodies, may begin like the first, but it will end more conclusively and it will be easier to sing. Dynamics and the piano - The Classical composers' interest in expressing shades of emotion led to the widespread use of gradual dynamic change - crescendo (gradually getting louder) and diminuendo ( gradually getting softer). The end of basso continuo - The basso continuo was gradually abandoned during the classical period.
Sonata form mainly focuses on the harmonic and thematic expression of music that sets the mood in the exposition. The development is contrasted and elaborated, and usually resolved with a safe sound of harmony in the end, recapitulating the main ideas. Among all of the examples we have heard in class like Mozart’s Symphony 25, or the Moonlight Sonata, I believe that Ludwig Van Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 represents sonata form with the most accuracy. The exposition of Symphony No.
Cyclical Literature in early19th Century A song cycle is a group of songs designed to perform in a sequence during classical music. All of the songs are by the same composer and often use words from the same poet, lyricist, or relating a story. Each song sang separately, but the composer imagined that they would be performed together as one work. They are for solo voice and piano accompaniment, however, they also can be without accompaniment or instruments. It started before the Romantic period, but it become popular with German composers of the nineteenth century.
These sections are the exposition, which starts from the first bar in K.333, the development, which between bars 63 and 93 and the recapitulation that occurs from bar 93 until the end of the piece. Poulenc’s Sonata is written in ternary form, which means that it follows an A-B-A structure. In this specific piece, the A section starts at bar 1, the B section starts at bar 26, then at bar 58 the A section returns again. In Mozart’s K.333 there are clear perfect cadences used in the piece that help reinforce the tonality, however in Poulenc’s Sonata although there are perfect cadences some of them are not completed and are instead suggested and then interrupted. In Mozart’s K.333 the cadences are used to reinforce the tonality, such as in bars 9-10 where the cadence is in the tonic key.
Vivaldi was progressive musically. He established the concerto form as an instrumental standard, played with the idea that the soloist was at war with the larger orchestra and using the contrasts to dramatic effect, not only between players but in speed and volume levels as well, and he pushed the envelope on violin technique, something in which he probably remained untouched. His usual writing style was antiphony, a simple style, which allowed him to experiment with instrument solos and maintain a light and innocent texture to the music. Vivaldi was one of the rare Italian composers interested in woodwind instruments. He composed several concertos for the bassoon, oboe, recorder and flute, as well as the rarer clarinet.
THE CLASSICAL PERIOD (1750-1825) THE CLASSICAL PERIOD OF MUSIC 1) TIME OF GREAT MUSICAL EXPERIMENTATION AND DISCOVERY 2) CENTERS AROUND ACHIEVEMENTS OF VIENNESE SCHOOL A) HAYDN B) MOZART C) BEETHOVEN 3) THREE CHALLENGING PROBLEMS A) EXPLORE MAJOR-MINOR SYSTEM TO ITS FULLEST B) TO PERFECT A LARGE FORM OF ABSOLUTE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC (THE SONATA CYCLE) C) TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN ITS (SONATA CYCLE) VARIOUS TYPES 1) SONATA 2) CONCERTO SYMPHONY 3) ELEMENTS OF THE CLASSICAL PERIOD 1) ELEGANT AND LYRICAL MELODIES A) ELEGANT AND LYRICAL MELODIES B) CLEAR-CUT CADENCES 2) THE HARMONIES THAT SUSTAINED THESE MELODIES A) FIRMLY ROOTED IN THE KEY RHYTHM 3) A) MUSIC WAS IN EITHER 2, 3, 4, OR 6/8 B) STAYED IN RHYTHMIC STYLE IT BEGAN WITH 4) FORM A) UNFOLDED
For him a ‘symphony’ was defined as being a sounding together of instruments. Webern’s Symphony is made up of 2 movements; The first movement is Ruhig Schreitend or moving quietly and is loosely in sonata form. The second movement is in theme of variation made up of 1 theme and 7 variations and coda. Movement 2’s underlying process is perpetual variation. It reaches this continual variation by transformation of small motifs through changes in pitch, rhythm and tone colour.
Primarily the Sonata from can be looked as a innovation, or an advancement of binary form (A-B-A) which was common in French dance movements. “The origins of the ‘simultaneous returns are more complex. A return of the opening Music in the tonic was common following a ‘Trio’, and in the da capo aria, the Italian opera overture, the concerto and the simple aria. Sonata form transformed the division within the second part of rounded binary from into a return to the original theme in the tonic.” (Webster) Writing in a piece in Sonata Form for an 18th century composer it is important to remember there are not specific rules to this form, the structure that is
- The Baroque gave rise to a remarkable variety of musical style, ranging from the expressive monody of Claudio monteverdi (1567-1643) to the complex polyphony of J.S. Bach (1685-1750). -Baroque also introduce many new musical genres--opera, cantata, oratorio, sonata, concerto, and suite -Despite the quick stylistic changes and all the new types of music created, two elements remain constant throughout the Baroque period: an expressive melody and a strong supportive bass. Expressive Melody: - In early Baroque music, the voices are no longer equal. Rather a polarity develops in which the musical emphasis gravitates toward the top and bottom lines.
They may contrast moods within movements and also within themes (Pg. 302).” The piano took the place of the harpsichord during the classical era and was favored by the composers of the time. Mood plays a big part of Classical music with its fluctuation of movement within each piece of music. Classical music is said to have five basic characteristics according to Sporre (2013), “1. Variety and contrast in mood, 2.