The Classical Era: The Classical Era 1750-1825 Copyright © 2005 - Frankel Consulting Services, Inc.


What was happening around the world?: What was happening around the world? 1751- Benjamin Franklin “discovers” electricity. 1775-1781- American Revolution 1781- Uranus discovered. 1789- George Washington inaugurated 1789-1795- French Revolution 1803- The Louisiana Purchase 1804- Napoleon crowns himself Emperor. 1812-1814- War of 1812 1822- The Rosetta Stone is deciphered


Famous People of the Era: Famous People of the Era King Louis XIV of France Napoleon Bonaparte of France George Washington of America


Louis XIV: Louis XIV


Napoleon : Napoleon


George Washington: George Washington


Famous Classical Artists: Famous Classical Artists Fransisco de Goya John Constable Eugene Delacroix Jean-Honore Fragonard


What does the term Classical mean?: What does the term Classical mean? From 1750 on artists, musicians, and architects wanted to get away from the strange opulence of the Baroque period and move to emulate the clean, uncluttered style of Classical Greece. This period is called Classical because of that desire to emulate the works of the ancient Greeks.


Characteristics of the Classical Period: Characteristics of the Classical Period The Church and Monarchs were no longer the principle benefactors of the arts due to the political upheaval in Europe at the time. The aristocracy were the main patrons of the arts. They wanted impersonal but tuneful music from their composers. This led to the term “absolute” music - which is music that is written for music’s sake.


Slide14: All of the Classical composers were employed by various wealthy patrons. Much of their music was written for parties, ceremonies, or simply as a commission for a new work. The center of Classical music was Vienna, which is where all of the major composers lived and worked. There was also a sense of Nationalism in the compositions.


Musical Characteristics: Musical Characteristics Great attention to musical form Use of dynamics as thematic material Inclusion of percussion instruments Strong sense of tension and release Use of modulation Opera Use of comic and witty melodies


Musical Innovations: Musical Innovations Symphonic form Sonata form String Quartets Huge popularity of the Opera Invention of the modern Piano, as well as many other instruments Theme and Variations


The Symphonic Form: The Symphonic Form Mastered by Franz Joseph Haydn - he wrote 104 of them. An extended work for orchestra - usually 20 - 40 minutes in length. Usually contains three or four movements which contrast each other. In a four movement symphony the order usually is a fanfare type or fast opening movement, followed by a slower movement. The third movement is usually a dance, and the final movement is fast.


The Symphonic Orchestra: The Symphonic Orchestra


The Sonata Form: The Sonata Form A one-movement piece for a solo instrument, usually accompanied by a piano - as opposed to a concerto, which is a multi-movement piece accompanied by an orchestra. There are three sections of a sonata- Exposition Development Recapitulation All sonatas follow this form.


The String Quartet: The String Quartet A composition for four solo string instruments: 2 Violins 1 Viola 1 Cello Each part is equally important. Haydn was the first to write one - he also mastered them. Piece usually has four movements similar to that of the symphonic form.


Opera: Opera While opera was invented much earlier in musical history, it was during this period and the one that followed that most of the most famous operas were written - including: The Magic Flute The Marriage of Figaro Don Giovanni All of these operas were written by Mozart. Beethoven, Haydn and Schubert has no success with writing operas. An opera is basically a musical play with all of the words sung instead of spoken.


The Opera: The Opera


Famous Classical Composers: Famous Classical Composers Christoph Willibald Gluck (1714-1787) Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) Ludwig Von Beethoven (1770-1827) Franz Schubert (1797-1828)


Christoph Willibald Gluck: Christoph Willibald Gluck


Franz Joseph Haydn: Franz Joseph Haydn


Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart


Ludwig Von Beethoven: Ludwig Von Beethoven


Franz Schubert : Franz Schubert


Instruments of the Classical Period: Instruments of the Classical Period Modern Flute Clarinet French Horn Valved Trumpet Trombone Percussion Piano


Modern Flute: Modern Flute


Clarinet: Clarinet


French Horn: French Horn


Valved Trumpet: Valved Trumpet


Trombone: Trombone


Percussion: Percussion


Piano: Piano


Vienna: Vienna


Versailles: Versailles


Conclusions: Conclusions Most of the most famous composers in history come from this era. By 1825, the modern orchestra was almost fully in place (except for the tuba and low woodwinds). It was during this era that many of the most famous pieces of music were written, including symphonies and operas.