Classical Period

A period that valued form, clarity, elegance,

refinement, balance, proportion, manners and
noble simplicity
 About the Period
1750 1820
Industrial Revolution
o Advancements in technology a time of invention
o Led to increases in material goods and wealth
o The middle class became wealthier, and begin to assert their
rights against the Aristocracy
Art and Architecture
o Focus on formal and balanced structures, simplicity and logic
o Rococo style: light colours, curved lines, graceful ornaments
o Neoclassical style: firm lines, clear structure, moralistic subject
matter (influenced by Greek and Roman art)
Patronage
o Composers began to make a living without depending totally
on patronage
Important Events
o 1776: American Declaration of Independence is signed
o 1789 1799: French Revolution
o 1803 1815: Napoleonic Wars
About the Period
 Characteristics of the Music
Structure
o Extremely important
o Sonata form a way to make music logical, but allow for contrasting
themes and development

Melody
o Motivic and tuneful

Harmony
o Harmonic patterns that clearly establish the tonal centre
o Use of Alberti Bass in keyboard music broken triads played in the
order of lowest, highest, middle, highest:

Tonality
o Key structures were very important, as were their relationships of
the keys
o Key structures were used to create clear and logical music
 Characteristics of the Music
Texture
o Predominantly homophonic with some polyphonic elements
o Saw Baroque polyphony as confusing and not logical

Rhythm
o Rhythmic flow changes within a movement
o Clearly defined and regular

Dynamics
o Used for dramatic effect and creating contrast, not for emotional
impact
o Crescendo and decrescendo introduced

Timbre
o Orchestra standardised and organised into 4 sections
o Strings the foundation of the orchestra
o Pianoforte becomes the keyboard instrument of choice
 Developments in Music
Instrumental music began to take precedence over vocal
music
Secular music dominated rather than secular music
Instruments were modernised and the orchestra became
standardised
The pianoforte was developed
The clarinet was invented by Johann Cristoph Denner in
Germany
New instrumental forms were developed:
o Symphony
o Concerto
o Sonata
Opera develops and reaches new dramatic heights in the
hands of Mozart
 Development of the Pianoforte
Invented in 1709 by Bartolomeo Cristofori, who called it a
gravicembalo col piano e forte (harpsichord with softness
and loudness)
The strings of the pianoforte were struck with a hammer to
produce sound, whereas the strings of a harpsichord are
plucked. This action allowed the player to control
dynamics, and duration of notes.
The piano replaced the harpsichord as the preferred
keyboard instrument around 1775.
German piano makers perfected the square piano for home
use.

Cristofori Grand Piano (1720) on display Square piano, by Zumpe (England, 1770
at the Metropolitan Museum New York
 Symphony
Musical Forms
o 4 movements: Allegro Slow movement Minuet or scherzo
(lively dancelike movement) Allegro or Rondo
o The first movement of a symphony was often in Sonata form
Concerto
o 3 movements: Fast Slow Fast
o For solo instrument and orchestra
o The first movement was often in a modified Sonata form
Sonata
o 3 movements: Allegro Slow movement Finale
o The first movement is often in sonata form
o For either solo keyboard, or keyboard and another instrument
Opera
o Drama set to music
o Two forms:
opera seria serious opera, with Mythological subjects
opera buffa comedic opera, involved characters drawn from
everyday life
o Recitative , aria and chorus are the three forms of vocal music in

Sonata Form
Usually used in the first movement of a symphony, sonata or
concerto
The basis of sonata form is key relationships
In three sections:
1. Exposition introduces the first subject in the tonic key and
second subject in the dominant
2. Development material in the exposition is developed
3. Recapitulation the exposition is restated, often with
modification and the second subject now in the tonic. May also
include a coda, which
Exposition brings the piece to an
Developm end.
Recapitulation
ent
1st 2nd Subject Free 1st 2nd Subject Coda
Subject treatment Subject
Home key Related key of material Home Home key Home key
(tonic) (dominant in in various key (tonic) (tonic)
major key keys (tonic) and can and can
sonatas, be tonic be tonic
relative major in major in
major in minor key minor key
minor key sonatas sonatas