The Classical period saw changes in texture from the Baroque with a lighter, less complex style. Instrumental music became more prominent and included new woodwinds and brass. Common forms included symphonies in 4 movements, string quartets, sonatas, and concertos. Major composers from this period were Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven who helped develop new forms like the sonata-allegro structure.
The Classical period saw changes in texture from the Baroque with a lighter, less complex style. Instrumental music became more prominent and included new woodwinds and brass. Common forms included symphonies in 4 movements, string quartets, sonatas, and concertos. Major composers from this period were Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven who helped develop new forms like the sonata-allegro structure.
The Classical period saw changes in texture from the Baroque with a lighter, less complex style. Instrumental music became more prominent and included new woodwinds and brass. Common forms included symphonies in 4 movements, string quartets, sonatas, and concertos. Major composers from this period were Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven who helped develop new forms like the sonata-allegro structure.
The Classical period saw changes in texture from the Baroque with a lighter, less complex style. Instrumental music became more prominent and included new woodwinds and brass. Common forms included symphonies in 4 movements, string quartets, sonatas, and concertos. Major composers from this period were Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven who helped develop new forms like the sonata-allegro structure.
• Textures are for more homophonic (melody and accompaniment
or perhaps “monody”) than the Baroque – although counterpoint is still found • Music has a regular harmonic rhythm • Music is generally “lighter” and less “self-important” • Music is not just for royalty now – first open concerts this period • The piano takes on importance and the harpsichord all but disappears • Instrumental music becomes far more important than vocal music • Instruments include: o Violin, viola, cello, bass (Old style bows and gut strings) o Oboe, bassoon, flute (without mechanical keys) The woodwind family adds clarinet Customarily 1 or no more than 2 in the orchestra o Trumpet, horn (“Natural” or no valves) Customarily 1 or no more than 2 in the orchestra Trombone trios are still used in opera and oratorio to represent other worlds o Timpani (fixed pitch – non-tunable) Other percussion instruments begin to appear – mostly as novelties o Organ and piano are prominent, although there is some harpsichord at the beginning o Voice
Characteristics of Baroque Music, KC, IB Music , Page 1
• Predominant musical forms include: o Chamber Music The string quartet is “invented” in this period o Sonata Know what the differences are between this type and the “Classical Period” version o Symphony Four movements, usually: • Sonata-allegro form • A slow “ABA,” “sonata-allegro,” or occasionally “theme and variations,” • A Minuet or scherzo (Beethoven) • A fast “theme and variations,” “rondo,” or “sonata- allegro” o Concerto A work for orchestra and instrumental soloist o Opera o Solo “Art Song” For vocalist and piano o Other vocal forms (Oratorio, Mass, “Missa Brevis”) • Increasing use of secular music forms • Music is predominantly in Major or Minor keys
Characteristics of Baroque Music, KC, IB Music , Page 2
• Major Composers: o Joseph Haydn String Quartets! And other trios and chamber works Symphonies! (104) Piano sonatas Oratorio o Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Symphonies (41)! Operas! Piano sonatas Violin sonatas and other chamber works o Ludwig von Beethoven Symphonies! (9) And symphonic overtures Piano Sonatas! Chamber music
Characteristics of Baroque Music, KC, IB Music , Page 3
• More terms – know definitions and what they sound like: o Sonata-Allegro Form Introduction (?) Exposition • First Theme Group • Transition or Bridge • Second Theme Group • Closing Theme Group or Codetta Development • Modulation • Intervallic development • Rhythmic displacement • Sequence • Key center • Fragmentation • Inversion • Diminution • Augmentation • Orchestration Recapitulation • Similar to the exposition but centering on the tonic Coda • Not always there, but if so either: o Reinforces the tonic, or o Continues development o Minuette Form ABA where: • A = A-BA or A-B-A • B = C-DC or C-D-C o Alberti Bass o Cadenza o Rondo Form (ABACA) o Harmonic Rhythm
Characteristics of Baroque Music, KC, IB Music , Page 4
