MUSIC APPRECIATION-HUMA 118

Classical Era c.1750 – c.1850

The Classical Era is a period that was between Baroque and Romantic Eras. The kind of music during the classical period was said to be lighter with clear textures, and the songs did not appear to be complex like what was happening in the other Eras. Music moved complexity to simplicity. That is why the songs in the classical era were referred to us classical music. One characteristic of classical music was that it was mostly “homophonic with clear and short melody line over subordinate chordal” (Classical period, 2019, May 01). It is through this period where we saw an increase in size, power and range of orchestral. We can also note that during this period, some instruments were replaced with new modern musical instruments. The harpsichord was improved in that the quills with plucked the strings were replaced leather-covered hammers. The instrument became the main keyboard instrument that would produce louder and softer sounds. The piano took over the harpsichord. Another characteristic of classical music is that it emphasized elegance, beauty and balance. Sonata form was the common design in the classical era. Some of the musical instruments that were improved and became more impressive include trio, sonata, symphony and string quartet. Solo work was also widespread in the classical era because some artists were interested in performing using flute, violin and piano. Vocal music, opera and choral work were also common in the Classical Era (Classical period, 2019, May 01). Some of the composers in classical period were Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn, Ludwig van Beethoven, Antonio Salieri, Franz Schubert, Muzio Clementi, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach and Leopold Mozart. It was not in music only, the classical era also experienced various transformation in literature, Arts, Science and Philosophy. One remarkable development was the work of Newton that improved the study of physics and scientific progress. Hippocrates remains to notable scientists who made important discoveries in the medical field during the classical period. He was referred to as “father of medicine” and founded a school known as “Hippocratic School of medicine” in Greece (Classical period, 2019, May 01). Classical era let to the idea of classicism that changed the structure of the society and as well the economic order. Did you know Indiana became a state in the classical Era? It became a state on 11 December 1816.

Joseph Haydn

Joseph Haydn was a remarkable composer during the Classical period, 1732 –1809. He was talented in piano music, and he was mentioned to be among the best artists in developing chamber music. He also contributed a lot in musical form until he earned two famous names, the “Father of Symphony “ and “Father of the String Quartet” (Joseph Haydn, 2019, June 21). His music talent started when he was young and started training to play violin and harpsichord. Haydn’s music was simple, short and in sonata form. The composition of his music had a design of monothematic exposition. A style of “establishing the dominant key similar or identical to the opening theme” (Joseph Haydn, 2019, June 21).  Some of the compositions he did are “Trauner” Symphony No. 44 and “Farewell” Symphony No.45. He married Maria Anna Theresia Keller and but he was completely unhappy with the marriage and most of the time he wanted to escape. He did not get any children (Joseph Haydn, 2019, June 21).

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a prolific composer during the classical era, 1756 –1791. He was born in Salzburg, and he started showing his talent of playing a violin and keyboard when he was young. Mozart began to composition songs at the age of five and performed before European royalty. He also performed in Salzburg court where he got a good experience in music. Most of the music he composed were operas, concertos and symphonies. He composed more 600 pieces which made him popular during the classical period. The style of music Mozart used was similar to Haydn’s style, but he advanced “technical sophistication and emotional reach” of opera and symphony and the solo concerto music (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, 2019, June 20). He also composed religious music and dances. Mozart maintained the central traits of the Classical music style that involved balance, clarity, transparency and with simple motions. Some of his compositions included “The Magic Flute,” The Clarinet Concerto K 622” and motet “Ave Verum Corpus.” (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, 2019, June 20). Mozart married Constanze with whom they got six children. Nobody knows how he died as researchers suggest more than ten causes of his death.

Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven was also a notable composer and pianist from Germany in Classical Era, 1770-1827. His musical talent started at a young age and used to be taught by his father. He studied in music composition I Vienna with Joseph Haydn. He worked as a bass singer at the court of Elector of Cologne. Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel influenced his works. He was interested in opera, piano concertos, piano sonatas, violin concertos and symphonies. Some of his prolific composition include “The Creatures of Prometheus” and “Missa Solemnis ” (Ludwig van Beethoven, 2019, June 10). Beethoven’s legacy is mentioned to have innovative compositions that were combined with vocals and instruments. The artists had a troublesome relationship with his musical contemporaries and most of the time he was very argumentative. He never married or had any children. Before he died, he had developed hearing problems that made him a deaf (Ludwig van Beethoven, 2019, June 10).

Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony

1. First movement: Sonata form

It opens with different powerful notes which contain fate motif running throughout. There is an antiphonal chord alternating between the string and woodwind instruments.

• Second movement: Double variation form

The form in this movement is at walking pace. It slower and in a lyrical movement that appears calm than the first movement. The themes and variation are part of this second movement.

• Third movement: Ternary form

The beats appear in a trio like a waltz, and in ternary form. It slows down like the pace of the second movement.

• Fourth movement: Allegro form

It was a fast explosively. It appears to have a characteristic of Rondo form or Sonata form. The different forms brought some variations.

Facts about Ludwig van Beethoven’s life.

1. Ludwig van Beethoven was born in Bonn
2. He was baptized at Parish of St. Regius on 17 December 1770
3. He had only two brothers
4. The first music teacher was his father, Johann Van Beethoven
5. He became a composer and pianist
6. He was once employed as a bass singer in Elector of Cologne Court
7. He once became a music director in Kapellmeister
8. He was believed to have a troublesome relationship with his contemporaries.
9. He first travelled to Vienna in December 1786
10. He started losing hearing in his twenties
11. At the age of 44, he lost his hearing completely
12. He used to communicate by writing on the book.
13. He wrote more than 400 conversation books
14. His first six string quartets he dedicated to Prince Lobkowitz
15.  He earned through public and private performances,
16.  He got a lot of influence from Mozart and Haydn
17. He never married or had any children
18. He died on 26 March 1827 at the age of 56
19. He was believed to die out of alcoholism
20. He is remembered as one the giants of classical music

The Heiligenstadt Testament was “a letter Ludwig van Beethoven wrote to his brothers Carl and Johann at Heiligenstadt, Vienna” (Ludwig van Beethoven, 2019, June 10). He used the letter to reflect his troubled life as a result of the loss of hearing and chronic abdominal pain he had suffered from

References

Classical period (music). (2019, May 01).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_period_(music)

Joseph Haydn. (2019, June 21).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Haydn

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. (2019, June 20).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfgang_Amadeus_Mozart

Ludwig van Beethoven. (2019, June 10).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_van_Beethoven