The maturation of the symphonic

genre: Stamitz and the

Mannheim School
what is a symphony?
form latin symphonia

sinfonia was applied to intriductory movs to opera, oratorios and cantatas (see
overture), to the instrumental introductions and ritornellos of arias and ensems (see
ritornello), and to ensem works that could be classified as sonatas or concertos

sinfonias or symphs were part of a larger framework (e.g. academy or church

service)

symphonia = consonance; diaphonia = dissonance

symphony=simphonie=sinfonie=symphonie=sinfonia

the highest form of orch music

1. string orch (early 1700s) - 3-4 mov symph (1750); milan, vienna, mannheim - early
symphonic centres

2. wind additions: oboe flute horn (mid 1700s)

3. classical orch (late 1700s)

the court of mannheim

The maturation of the symphonic genre: Stamitz and the Mannheim School 1
 mannheim sch of composers
18th cent. - best orch in europe, under johann stamitz

orch very large for its time

compositions were composed for them, regular 4 bar phrases

mannheim sinfonia reflect ritornello pracs of concerto

4 fl, 2 ob, 2 bsn, 4 hrn, 12 tpt, 2 timp, 20 vln, 4 vla, 4 cello, 2 db, harpsichord

leading centre of musical lfe in europe

no more insistent concentration on a single affect

more flexible, varied approach

increasing desire for clarity and transparency in structure (aesthetics, less

sophisticated musical audience)

tonal system

use of tonality in formal planning

johann stamitz (1717-57)

born bohemia, studied on prague

violin virtuoso

founded orch

conducted from the violin (concertmaster), not the harpsichord

paris 1754 - french influences, performed and started publishing

other composers:
1st gen

1. ignaz holzbauer

2. franz xaver richter

3. carlo giuseppe toeschi

2nd gen

The maturation of the symphonic genre: Stamitz and the Mannheim School 2
 1. anton filtz

2. johann christian cannabich

mozarts visits to mannheim:

1. 1763

2. 1777-1778

3. 1778 (again)0

4. 1790

became friends w the musicians

teaching n playing

composing commision flute music

he married his wifes sister after her death

moz symph 31 in d maj - 1st time using clars

mannheim’s contributions
1. sonata form

2. symph

3. clar

4. independent wind section

5. cres n decres

6. no basso continuo (but still had harpsichord)(melody becomes more impt)

effects
mannheim rocket - to establish key

sigh

birds (magic flute)

roller - cresc w pitch textural density etc

The maturation of the symphonic genre: Stamitz and the Mannheim School 3
 post-mannheim
first vienniese sch of composers
haydn - 4 movs fro 1765 onwards (107 symphs 1758-1795)

mozart (41 symphs)

conversatinonal texture n motivic treatment

integration of instrus in to the score

diff audience in later symphs (more public)

animated rhythm, memorable thematic ideas, effects

vienna support of aristocracy and nobility

surprise symph (haydn) - mannheim pause

The maturation of the symphonic genre: Stamitz and the Mannheim School 4