Music of The Classical Period

Music of the classical
period
Learning competency
• Demonstrates understanding of characteristic features of Classical

period music MU9CL-IIa-f-1
• Describes musical elements of given Classical period pieces; MU9CL-
IIa-f-1
• Relates Classical music to other art forms and its history within the era;
MU9CL-IIa-f-2
Music of the classical period
• Also called as the “Age of Reason” during this period from 1750-1820.
• Cultural life was dominated by aristocracy as patrons of musicians and
artists generally influenced the arts.
• 18th century- Europe began to move forward a new style in
architecture ,literature, and the arts known as, CLASSICISM.
- It was also pushed forward by the changes in the economic order and
social structure, then instrumental music was patronized primarily by the
nobility
Music of the classical period
• Music of the classical denotes conformity with the principles

and characteristics of ancient Greek and roman literature and
art which were formal and elegant, simple, freed and dignified.
• Harmony and texture is homophonic in general
• The dynamics of loud and soft was clearly shown through
extensive use of crescendo and diminuendo.
• Alberti bass – a style of a broken chord accompaniment
Composers of the classical period
• The great composers of the period were: Franz Joseph Haydn,

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Ludwig Van Beethoven
Instrumental forms- developed were sonata, concerto and

symphony
Vocal forms- Opera seria and opera buffa

FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN
FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN
• One of the most prominent composers of the classical period

• His music reflects his character and personality: mainly calm,
balanced, serious but with touches of humor.
• He was able to compose over 100 symphonies and
developed them into long forms of large orchestra.
• He was named “ father of the symphony”
• Most of his symphony are “ surprise symphony,” “The Clock,”
“The Military.”
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• He was a child prodigy and the most amazing genius in musical

history.
• At the age of five – he was already playing the violin and
harpsichord
• At the age of six- he was recognized as an exceptional pianist,
• At the age of seven – he was composing excellent music
• At the age of thirteen - he had written sonatas, concertos,
symphonies, religious works and operas and operretas
• He composed wonderful concertos, symphonies

and operas such as “ The Marriage of Figaro” , “
Don Giovanni” , and “ The Magic Flute” , Eine
Klein Nachtmusik.” Symphony no. 40 in G major,”
and Sonata no. 11 in A major K311.
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN
• He was the composer who bridged the late

classical era and early romantic era.
• He was a talented pianists and composer.
• His famous composition include 32 piano sonatas,
21 set of variations , 9 symphonies, 5 concertos for
piano, 16 strings quartets and choral music
• Characteristics of beethovens works

• - His music veered towards larger orchestras
• Sound was centered on the violas and lower registers of the violins and
cellos to give his music a darker mood
• All theme in a piece are tied together by one motif
• He developed musical themes and motifs extensively by means of
modulation.
• He used more brass instruments and dynamics
• His famous works include “ Miss Solemnis” (1818-1823) , and opera

“Fidelio” (1805).
• His known symphonies are Symphony No. 3 (“Eroica”), no.5, no. 6
(“Pastoral”) and no.9 (“Choral”), which adds voices to the
orchestra.
VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
Instrumental forms- developed were sonata, concerto and symphony
Sonata- A multimovement work for solo instrument,

sonata came from the word “sonare” which means “to
make a sound”. The term is applied to a variety of
works for a solo instrument such a keyboard or violin.
Instrumental forms- developed were sonata, concerto and symphony
• 1ST Movement: Allegro- fast movement
• 2nd Movement : Andante- slow movement
• 3rd Movement : Minuet- It is in three- four time and in moderate or fast

tempo
• Sonata Allegro form-
1. Exposition – the first part of a composition in sonata form that

introduces the theme e.g allegro
2. Development- is the middle part of the sonata- allegro form wherein
theme are being developed e.g rest of notes
3. Recapitulation- repeats the theme as they first emerge in the opening
of exposition
Concerto is a multi movement work designed for an

instrumental soloist and orchestra. It is a classical
form of music intended to primarily emphasize the
individuality of solo instrument to exhibit virtuosity
and interpretative abilities of the performer
• 1ST Movement: Fast- sonata allegro form with expositions of the

orchestra and then by the soloist
• 2nd Movement : Andante-Has more ornamentation then the first

movement
• 3rd Movement : Fast: Finale: usually in a form of rondo, resembling the

last movement of the symphony and usually a short cadenza is used
Symphony-A multimovement work for

orchestra , the symphony is derived from
the word sinfonia which literally means”
a harmonious sounding together”. It is a
classical music for the orchestra,
generally in four movements.
• 1ST Movement: Fast- sonata allegro form
• 2nd Movement : Slow: Gentle, lyrical- typical ABA form or theme and variation -
Has more ornamentation then the first movement
• 3th Movement : Medium/Fast: Uses a dance form ( Minuet or scherzo) Finale
• 4th Movement: Fast : typically Rondo or Sonata form

• Vocal forms- Opera seria and opera buffa
Opera is a drama set to music where singers and musicians perform

in a theatrical setting.
• The opera seria (serious opera) usually implies heroic and tragic
drama that employs mythological characters, which was inherited
from the baroque period e.g “Idomeneo” by Mozart
• Vocal forms- Opera seria and opera buffa
Opera is a drama set to music where singers and musicians perform

in a theatrical setting.
• The opera buffa (comic opera) from Italy made use of everyday
characters and situations and typically employed spoken
dialogues, lengthy , arias and was spiced with sight gags, naughty
humor and social satire. e.g “ The Marriage of Figaro”, “ Don
Giovanni,” and “ The Magic Flute “ by Mozart

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Music of the classical

• Demonstrates understanding of characteristic features of Classical

• Music of the classical denotes conformity with the principles

• The great composers of the period were: Franz Joseph Haydn,

Instrumental forms- developed were sonata, concerto and

Vocal forms- Opera seria and opera buffa

• One of the most prominent composers of the classical period

• He was a child prodigy and the most amazing genius in musical

• He composed wonderful concertos, symphonies

• He was the composer who bridged the late

• Characteristics of beethovens works

• His famous works include “ Miss Solemnis” (1818-1823) , and opera

Instrumental forms- developed were sonata, concerto and symphony

Sonata- A multi- movement work for solo instrument,

Instrumental forms- developed were sonata, concerto and symphony

• 1ST Movement: Allegro- fast movement

• 2nd Movement : Andante- slow movement

• 3rd Movement : Minuet- It is in three- four time and in moderate or fast

• Sonata Allegro form-

1. Exposition – the first part of a composition in sonata form that

Concerto is a multi movement work designed for an

• 1ST Movement: Fast- sonata allegro form with expositions of the

• 2nd Movement : Andante-Has more ornamentation then the first

• 3rd Movement : Fast: Finale: usually in a form of rondo, resembling the

Symphony-A multimovement work for

• 1ST Movement: Fast- sonata allegro form

• 3th Movement : Medium/Fast: Uses a dance form ( Minuet or scherzo) Finale

• 4th Movement: Fast : typically Rondo or Sonata form

• Vocal forms- Opera seria and opera buffa

Opera is a drama set to music where singers and musicians perform

• Vocal forms- Opera seria and opera buffa

Opera is a drama set to music where singers and musicians perform

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