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alberti bass

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a pattern of accompaniment whereby, instead of having the pitches of a chord sound all together, the notes are played in succession to provide a continual stream of sound

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antecedent phrase

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the opening, incomplete-sounding phrase of a melody - often followed by a consequent phrase that brings the melody to closure

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comic opera

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a genre of opera that originated in the eighteenth century, portraying everyday characters and situations, and using spoken dialogue and simple songs

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consequent phrase

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the second phrase of a two-part melodic unit that brings a melody to a point of repose and closure

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enlightenment

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eighteenth-century period in philosophy and letters during which thinkers gave free rein to the pursuit of truth and the discovery of natural laws

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opera buffa

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(Italian for "comic opera") a genre of opera featuring light, often domestic subjects, with tuneful melodies, comic situations, and happy endings

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pianoforte fortepiano

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original name for the piano

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melody during classical period

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short, balanced phrases create tuneful melodies - more vocal than instrumental in character

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harmonic style

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harmonic rhythm varies dramatically, creating a dynamic flux and flow; simple chordal harmonies made more active by alberti bass

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texture

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generally homophonic with a thin bass and middle range, hence it is light and transparent - passages in contrapuntal style appear mainly for accent

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1750-1820

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classical period lasted from ___ to ___

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antecedent consequent

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phrases that are dependent upon each other to produce a complete musical idea are called _____ & _____

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ideas that emerged during the enlightnement

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-renewed interest in democratic government -a new appreciation for such middle class values as honesty, common sense, and hard work -principles of social justice, equality, religious tolerance, and freedom of speech -philosophers pursued rational scientific, philosophical, and political beliefs

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aspects that contributed to the dramatic quality of classical music

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-rapid changes in rhythmic patterns -use of crescendos and diminuendos -alternating the mood between themes -quickly changing the texture from light and airy to dense and more contrapuntal

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esterhazy family

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the richest and most influential among the German-speaking aristocrats of 18th century Hungary, with extensive landholdings southeast of Vienna and a passionate interest in music - patrons of Haydn

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freemasons

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fraternity of the enlightenment who believed in tolerance and universal brotherhood

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london symphonies

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the 12 symphonies composed by Joseph Haydn for performance in London between 1791 and 1795 - Haydn's last 12 symphonies (Nos. 93-104)

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salzburg

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mountain town in Austria - birthplace of Mozart

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viennese school

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group of classical composers including Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert, whose careers all unfolded in Vienna

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vienna during the late 18th century

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-capital of the old holy roman empire -because it was the only large city for hundreds of miles, the aristocracy congregated there, especially during the winter -it boasted a greater percentage of nobleman among its population than did London or Paris -aristocratic patronage attracted musicians from throughout Europe

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haydn's early years

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-born in a farmhouse about 25 miles from Vienna - his life is a rags to riches story -his father made wheels for a living, but enjoyed making music -sent to Vienna to nurture his musical talent at St. Stephen's Cathedral, after 10 years as a choirboy he was dismissed when his voice broke -during his late teens and early twenties, he eked out a meager living as a free-lance musician

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haydn's career with the esterhazy family

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-as conductor of the aristocrat's personal orchestra, he was responsible to see that all the musicians appeared in uniform and followed instructions -required to compose any music requested by "His Serene Highness" -since his compositions were "owned" by the prince, he was prohibited for a time from circulating his works without special permission -he continued in the service of the Esterhazy family for nearly thirty years

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pirated editions began to appear throughout northern europe

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what finally made it possible for haydn to sell his compositions to various publishers?

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haydn's career after the death of prince esterhazy in 1790

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-Haydn was given a pension and freedom to travel -as a result of a substantial fee to write and conduct works for London audiences, he made two lucrative visits to that city -awarded an honorary doctor of music degree from Oxford -after returning from his travels, he composed two oratorios, The Creation and The Seasons

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events that characterized hayden's visit to london

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-treated as celebrity -presented to royal family -awarded honorary degree from Oxford university -monetary earning in London made him wealthy

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early years of Mozart

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-his father was the author of a best-selling book on learning the play the violin -he was born in Salzburg, Austria -by the age of six he was playing the piano, violin, and organ, as well as composing -he wrote his first symphonies by the age of eight

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vienna

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from 1781 until his death in 1791, mozart lived almost exclusively in...

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mozart's compositions and his childhood experiences touring europe

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-at the age of six, he played for Empress Maria Theresa -he toured northern Europe for three years; his first two symphonies were performed in London when he was eight -his first opera, a comedy, was staged in a private home in Vienna when he was twelve -he became acquainted with a wealth of musical styles from across the continent

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1. french baroque 2. english choral 3. german polyphony 4. italian vocal

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musical traditions that were influential in the development of mozart's musical style (4)

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mozart's life in vienna during 1780s

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-he gave daily piano lessons-mostly to young women-from nine to one -he played chamber music with Joseph Haydn, with whom he formed a lasting friendship -he composed in the early morning and late afternoon or evening unless prevented by a concert -he joined the Freemasons

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the last six years of mozart's life

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-during his final years his music was no longer in vogue with the aristocracy of Vienna because it was considered too dense and dissonant -the peak years of his success were between 1785 and 1787 when he composed many of his greatest works -he still composed masterpieces during his last year in spite of ill health -while the precise cause of his death has never been determined, it was probably the result of kidney failure aggravated by bloodletting

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symphony no. 94, "the surprise"

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example of one of haydn's london symphonies

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coda

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(Italian for "tail") a final and concluding section of a musical composition

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development

answer

the center-most portion of sonata-allegro form, in which the thematic material of the exposition is developed and extended, transformed, or reduced to its essence; often the most confrontational and unstable section of the movement

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exposition

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in a fugue, the opening section, in which each voice in turn has the opportunity to present the subject; in sonata-allegro form, the principal section, in which all thematic material is presented

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fugato

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a short fugue set in some other musical form, such as sonata-allegro or theme and variations

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minuet

answer

a moderate dance in 3/4 though actually danced in patterns of six steps, with no upbeat but with highly symmetrical phrasing

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recapitulation

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in sonata-allegro form, the return to the first theme and the tonic key following the development

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relative major

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the major key in a pair of major and minor keys; relative keys have the same key signature, for example, E♭ major and C minor (both with three flats)

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retransition

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the end of the development section, where the tonality often becomes stabilized on the dominant in preparation for the return of the tonic (and first theme) at the beginning of the recapitulation

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serenade

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an instrumental work for a small ensemble originally intended as a light entertainment in the evening

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sonato-allegro form

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a dramatic musical form that originated in the Classical period involving an exposition, development, and recapitulation, with optional introduction and coda

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ternary (ABA) form

answer

a three-part musical form in which the third section is a repeat of the first; hence ABA

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transition (bridge)

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in sonata-allegro form, the unstable section in which the tonality changes from tonic to dominant (or relative major) in preparation for the appearance of the second theme

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trio

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an ensemble, vocal or instrumental, with three performers; also, a brief, self-contained composition contrasting with a previous piece, such as a minuet or a mazurka; originally, the trio was performed by only three instruments

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a solo instrument

answer

sonata refers to a genre performed by...

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traits that are characteristic of the transition theme as they occur during the exposition of a sonata-allegro form

answer

-it modulates to the dominant (or relative major key) -sometimes referred to as the bridge theme because it carries the music from one key to another -the theme usually consists of running scales, arpeggios, and melodic sequences -rapid figural patterns convey a feeling of motion

question

trio

answer

-composed in ternary form -originally the texture consisted of three parts, but by the Classical period it could have any number of musical lines -it was originally a second minuet -it is the B section in a Minuet and Trio movement

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1. sonata 2. rondo 3. ternary 4. theme and variations

answer

important musical forms during the classical period (4)

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sonata-allegro

answer

form that began during the classical period

question

contrast

answer

characterizes the B section in ternary form

question

sonata-allegro form

answer

-a dramatic musical form that involves an exposition, development, and recapitulation -a form that was invented during the Classical period -a form that has the potential for dramatic presentation, conflict, and resolution -perhaps the most popular form of the Classical era

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closing theme

answer

theme in sonata-allegro form that typically oscillates between dominant and tonic chords

question

intro

answer

section of sonata-allegro from that is slow, stately, and filled with ominous or puzzling chords

question

Eine kleine Nachtmusik

answer

-it is an example of a serenade -it is one of Mozart's most popular compositions -it is for strings alone, or small orchestra -it was written during the summer of 1787

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canon

answer

a core repertoire, or the "chestnuts," of classical music performed at concerts continually since the eighteenth century

question

finale

answer

the last movement of a multi-movement composition, one that usually works to a climax and conclusion

question

rondo

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Classical musical form that must have at least three statements of the refrain (A) and at least two contrasting sections (at least B and C)

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theme and variations

answer

a musical form in which a theme continually returns but is varied by changing the notes of the melody, the harmony, the rhythm, or some other feature of the music

question

ABACA ABACABA ABACADA

answer

3 examples of rondo form

question

symphony no. 94, "the surprise"

answer

-first performed in London in 1792 -the audience cheered the second movement, demanding an encore -it is Haydn's most celebrated composition -the second movement is in theme and variations form

question

second

answer

the movement of a sonata, quartet, or symphony that was typically in a slow tempo

question

a french folksong

answer

mozart's variations on "twinkle, twinkle, little star" are based on...

question

-lively in tempo -in ternary form -light and elegant -a minuet and trio

answer

in a classical string quartet or symphony, the third movement is usually...

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a sudden fortissimo chord

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what is the unexpected occurrence in haydn's symphony no. 94 that gave it the name "surprise"?

question

refrains

answer

in rondo form, the A sections are called...

question

valves

answer

what was the french horn lacking in haydn's day that is now standard equipment on modern instruments?

question

replaced the elegant minuet with a boisterous scherzo

answer

how did beethoven and later 19th century composers alter the conventional format of the classical symphony?

question

second

answer

movement in sonata, quartet, or symphony that tended to be in a lyrical and tender mood

question

first & fourth

answer

sonata-allegro form was most often used in the ___ & ___ movements of a string quartet or symphony

question

fourth

answer

movement of a string quartet or symphony that was typically a bright, lighthearted, and sometimes humorous movement set in sonata-allegro, theme and variations, or rondo form

question

scherzo

answer

a boisterous work often used in place of the minuet as the third movement a string quartet or symphony

question

third

answer

movement(s) in a Classical period symphony that is (are) nearly always in minuet and trio form

question

cadenza

answer

a showy passage for the soloist appearing near the end of the movement in a concerto; usually incorporates rapid runs, arpeggios, and snippets of previously heard themes into a fantasy-like improvisation

question

double-exposition form

answer

a form, originating in the concerto of the Classical period, in which first the orchestra and then the soloist present the primary thematic material

question

genre

answer

type of music; specifically, the quality of musical style, form, performing medium, and place of performance that characterize any one type of music

question

kochel (k) number

answer

an identifying number assigned to each of the works of Mozart, in roughly chronological order, by Ludwig von Köchel (1800-1877)

question

sinfonia

answer

(Italian for "symphony") a one-movement (later three or four-movement) orchestral work that originated in Italy in the seventeenth century

question

solo concerto

answer

a concerto in which an orchestra and a single performer in turn present and develop the musical material in the spirit of harmonious competition

question

sonata

answer

originally, "something sounded" on an instrument as opposed to something sung (a "cantata"); later, a multi-movement work for solo instrument, or instrument with keyboard accompaniment

question

string quartet

answer

a standard instrumental ensemble for chamber music consisting of a single first and second violin, a viola, and a cello; also, the genre of music, usually in three or four movements, composed for this ensemble

question

symphony

answer

a genre of instrumental music for orchestra consisting of several movements; also, the orchestral ensemble that plays this genre

question

the emperor's hymn

answer

written to serve as the austrian national anthem

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mozart's symphony no. 40 in G minor

answer

-was composed rapidly, along with two other symphonies, during a six-week period in the summer of 1788 -its style conveys an introspective mood of tragedy and despair -the work was first performed in a casino -the falling half-step, an interval used throughout the history of music to denote pain and suffering, is an important thematic motive

question

haydn's string quartet opus 76, no.3, the "emperor"

answer

-is one of the best works of the string quartet genre -second movement is a set of theme and variations on Haydn's famous "Emperor" hymn -the famous theme has served as the national anthem of Austria as well as Germany -written in Vienna during the summer of 1797

question

kochel (k) numbers

answer

-ludwig kochel, a 19th century musicologist, first published the list -it is a means of identifying mozart's compositions -kochel numbers arrange mozart's works in approximate chronological order -it is a handy way of identifying multiple works of the same genre that are in the same key

question

diminished chord

answer

a triad or seventh chord made up entirely of minor thirds and producing a tense, unstable sound

question

singspiel

answer

(german for "singing play") a musical comedy originating in germany with spoken dialogue, tuneful songs, and topical humor

question

vocal ensemble

answer

in opera, a group of four or more solo singers, usually the principals

question

lorenzo da ponte

answer

mozart's principal librettist during the 1780s

question

classical operas

answer

-sections of recitative, aria, and chorus flow smoothly from one section to the next -composers placed vocal ensembles at the ends of acts -emphasis is placed on natural, realistic characters -comic operas became more important

question

aristocracy

answer

don giovanni is implicitly critical of...

question

die zauberflote

answer

mozart opera that is a german singspiel

question

faithful though reluctant servant

answer

in don giovanni, leporello is...

question

vocal ensemble

answer

-an element derived from comic opera, it was especially favored at the ends of acts to help spark a rousing conclusion -consists of three or more characters who simultaneously sing about their individual responses to the dramatic action -allows the plot to unfold more quickly on stage -another manifestation of the democratic spirit, and better dramatic sense, of the late eighteenth century

question

diminished

answer

what type of chord accompanies the death of the commandant in don giovanni?

question

eroica (heroic) symphony

answer

Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 (1803), originally dedicated to Napoleon but published as the "Heroic Symphony"

question

heiligenstadt testament

answer

something akin to Beethoven's last will and testament, written in despair when he recognized that he would ultimately suffer a total loss of hearing; named after the Viennese suburb in which he

question

heroic period (middle)

answer

a period in Beethoven's compositional career (1803-1813) during which he wrote longer works incorporating broad gestures, grand climaxes, and triadic, triumphant themes

question

ode to joy

answer

An die Freude by poet Friedrich von Schiller, set to music by Beethoven as a hymn in honor of universal brotherhood and used in the finale of his Symphony No. 9

question

pathetique sonata

answer

one of Beethoven's most celebrated compositions for piano

question

scherzo

answer

(Italian for "joke") a rapid, jovial work in triple meter often used in place of the minuet as the third movement in a string quartet or symphony

question

beethoven's heiligenstadt testament

answer

-it was written in despair over his impending deafness -it is part last will and testament, part artistic manifesto -its name derives from the village where Beethoven wrote the document -in the document he admits that he considered suicide, but that his dedication to art (music) held him back from such a step

question

composed 6 of his 9 symphonies

answer

the heroic period is when beethoven...

question

ode to joy

answer

-the text praises the concept of the universal brotherhood of humanity -when setting the text, Beethoven chose a simple, direct melody-one that anyone can sing -Beethoven worked on the melody for the poem for nearly twenty years -the melody provides a theme for a magnificent set of variations in his ninth symphony

question

pathetique sonata

answer

-the slow introduction is suggestive of Beethoven's style of improvisation -it requires more technical skill than any previous piano sonata -Beethoven supplied the title himself -the composer performed the sonata frequently in the homes and palaces of Viennese aristocracy

question

beethoven's symphony no. 5

answer

-the four movements convey a sense of psychological progression -the rhythm of the opening dominates the entire symphony -it is the first symphony to employ motivic unity between all four movements -Beethoven is said to have described its principal motive as Fate knocking at the door

question

early beethoven

answer

-he was born in Bonn, Germany -his father and grandfather were court musicians -he displayed great musical talent as a child -hoping to exploit his son as a child prodigy, his father forced Beethoven to practice at all hours

question

beethoven's piano style

answer

-his performance style displayed phenomenal volume, violence, and force -he was known to have broken piano strings while performing -those who heard him play remarked on his "superhuman" technique -many who heard him perform were moved to tears by his music

question

beethoven's relationship with the viennese aristocracy

answer

-one aristocrat put a string quartet at his disposal, while another made it possible for him to experiment with a small orchestra -they all showered him with gifts -in spite of their largess, Beethoven treated aristocrats with audacious independence and rudeness -three aristocrats established a fund that allowed him to compose without financial worries

question

beethoven's later years

answer

-he became a well-known eccentric in Vienna, often wandering the streets humming, mumbling, and sometimes composing -because of his deafness he withdrew from society -his music became more remote and inaccessible in style -he primarily composed string quartets and piano sonatas

question

beethoven's legacy

answer

-the composer was considered the prophet of Romantic music -his compositions demonstrated how personal expression might expand the confines of Classical form -he introduced the "grand gesture" and made music both grandiose and intensely lyrical -he was revered by artists of all types, and subsequent composers measured their worth in comparison to him

question

piano sonatas

answer

with beethoven's 32 ____, the genre moved from one played by amateur perfomers in their homes to become standard repertoire for professional musicians

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