MUSIC OF THE

CLASSICAL PERIOD
Classical Era
CLASSICAL ERA
 Known as the age of reason

 Cultural life was dominated by aristocracy

Classicism - new style in architecture, music

and arts which began in the 18th century.
Important historical events:

French Revolution

Napoleonic war

American Independence

American Revolution
CLASSICAL ERA
 Dynamics were also used during this period

Alberti Bass – a style of broken chord

accompaniment
 Great Composers: Franz Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang
Amadeus Mozart, and Ludwig Van Beethoven.

 Sonata, Concerto, and Symphony are the

instrumental forms developed during this era.
COMPOSERS OF THE
CLASSICAL PERIOD

The Masters
FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN
(1732- 1809)
 Describe as a “rags – to –
riches”
 Named as the Father of the
Symphony

 Most of his symphonies

have nicknames such as the

 “Surprise Symphony”, “The

Clock”, “The Military”.
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART
(1756 - 1791)
a child prodigy and the most
amazing genius in musical
history.

 Composed over 700 music

 Died in poverty due to

mismanaged finances and
was buried in an unknown
grave
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART
(1756 - 1791)
 Compositions include:

“The Marriage of Figaro” (1786),

“Don Giovanni (1789)”

“The Magic Flute”

Eine Kleine Nachtmusik

Symphony No. 40 in G Major

Sonata No. 11 in A Major K311

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN
(1770 - 1827)
 He was born in Bonn,
Germany

 He was the composer who

bridged the late Classical era
and the early Romantic era.

 Hebegan to go deaf in 1796

but this did not become a
hindrance.
 LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN
(1770 - 1827)
His works include:
“Missa Solemnis” (1818-1823)
“Fidelio”(1805)

Symphony No. 3 (Eroica)

Symphony No. 5, No. 6 (Pastoral),

No. 9 (Choral)
VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL
MUSIC

The overview
SONATA
A multi-movement work for solo instrument
came from the word “Sonare” which means to
make a sound

 3 Movement of Sonata
 1st Movement: Allegro – fast movement
 2nd Movement: Slow tempo mostly lyrical

and emotional.
 3rd Movement: Minuet: It is in three-four

time and in a moderate or fast tempo.

SONATA
 Sonata Allegro Form

Sections
Exposition - the first part of a
composition in sonata form that
introduces the theme
Development is the middle part of the

sonata-allegro form wherein themes

are being developed
Recapitulation - repeats the theme as

they first emerge in the opening

exposition
CONCERTO
 Isa multi-movement work designed for
an instrumental soloist and orchestra.

 The solo instruments in classical

concertos include violin, cello, clarinet,
bassoon, trumpet, horn and piano
CONCERTO
3 Movements
1st Movement: Fast: Sonata-allegro
form

2nd Movement: Slow: Has more

ornamentation than the First
movement.

3rd Movement: Fast: Finale: usually in a

form of rondo.
SYMPHONY
 A multi-movement work for orchestra the
symphony.

 Is derived from the word “Sinfonia” which

literally means “a harmonious sounding
together”.
SYMPHONY
4 movements of the symphony:

 1st Movement: Fast: Sonata-allegro form

 2nd Movement: Slow : gentle, lyrical
 3rd Movement: Medium/Fast: uses a
dance form (Minuet or scherzo)
 4th Movement: Fast: typically Rondo or
Sonata form
CLASSICAL OPERA
The overview
CLASSICAL OPERA
Opera is a drama set to music where singers
and musicians perform in a theatrical setting.
 
2 distinct style
1.Opera Seria - (serious opera) usually implies
heroic or tragic drama that employs
mythological characters
Example: “Idomeneo”
CLASSICAL OPERA
2. Opera Buffa - (comic opera) typically
employed spoken dialogues, lengthy arias
and was spiced with sighs,gags, naughty
humor and social satire.
Examples:
“The Marriage of Figaro”