Introduction to the Classical Era

The Classical Period

(1750-1820)

What's going on in the world?

• 1754-1763 French & Indian War

• 1760 Beginning of the Industrial Revolution

• 1775-1783 American Revolution

• 1776 American Declaration of Independence

• 1789 George Washington elected the first U.S. President

• 1789-1799 French Revolution

• 1803-1815 Napoleonic Wars

Political and Economic Power

Shifts from the aristocracy and church to the middle class

Open Ended

Generally, what do people mean when they refer to classical music?

Open Ended

However, for the purpose of this class, what do we mean when we refer to classical music?

Open Ended

How did composers in the classical period develop music using baroque genres?

Open Ended

Briefly describe how the sonata evolved in the classical period?

Open Ended

Predominantly, what was the texture of classical music? Why was this so significant?

Open Ended

Explain the shift in roles musicians and composers played in society from the baroque period to the classical period.

Recap

• Baroque music: highly decorated, complicated polyphonic textures, emotional extremes

• Classical music: very structured, formal balance, homophonic textures with singable melodies, emotion is secondary

Recap

• French overture ----> Four movement symphony

• Trio sonata ----> String quartet

• The sonata has a more restrictive meaning that includes a definite 3-movement structure

Recap

• Orchestra size expands

• Orchestral instrumentation becomes standardized

• Orchestra now divided into four sections: strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion

• The end of basso continuo

NEW INSTRUMENT!!! (not mentioned in video)

• Harpsichord becomes obsolete

• Development of the piano -- originally called the piano-forte due to its ability to play wide dynamic ranges

• Because of this terraced dynamics are phased out for the use of crescendos and decrescendos.