🎼History of Music Unit 4 – Classical Era: Sonata and Symphony

Key Composers and Works

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) composed over 600 works, including 41 symphonies (Symphony No. 40 in G minor) and numerous piano sonatas (Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major, K. 331 with the famous "Rondo alla Turca" movement)
• Joseph Haydn (1732-1809), known as the "Father of the Symphony," wrote 104 symphonies (Symphony No. 94 in G major, "Surprise" Symphony) and 68 string quartets
  • Haydn's works often featured wit, humor, and unexpected elements
• Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) bridged the Classical and Romantic eras, composing 9 symphonies (Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67), 32 piano sonatas, and numerous chamber works (String Quartet No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 131)
• Other notable composers include Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, Johann Christian Bach, and Muzio Clementi, who contributed to the development of the classical style and the piano sonata

Historical Context

• The Classical era roughly spans from 1750 to 1820, following the Baroque period and preceding the Romantic era
• This period coincided with the Age of Enlightenment, which emphasized reason, logic, and individualism
• The French Revolution (1789-1799) and the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815) had a significant impact on European society and culture
• The rise of the middle class and the decline of aristocratic patronage led to changes in musical taste and the emergence of public concerts
• Advancements in instrument design, such as the fortepiano's evolution into the modern piano, influenced compositional techniques and performance practices

Characteristics of Classical Style

• Emphasis on clarity, balance, and symmetry in musical form and structure
• Melodic lines are often elegant, singable, and less ornamented compared to the Baroque era
• Harmony is based on clear progressions and cadences, with a focus on tonic-dominant relationships
• Rhythms are regular and metric, with frequent use of alberti bass accompaniment figures
• Dynamics and articulation are carefully notated and used for expressive purposes
  • Terraced dynamics (sudden changes between loud and soft) are replaced by gradual crescendos and diminuendos
• Textures range from homophonic (melody with accompaniment) to polyphonic (multiple independent lines), with a preference for clear melodic lines supported by subordinate accompaniment

Sonata Form Explained

• Sonata form is a musical structure commonly used in the first movements of symphonies, string quartets, and piano sonatas during the Classical era
• It consists of three main sections: exposition, development, and recapitulation
  1. Exposition: Presents two contrasting themes or theme groups in different keys (tonic and dominant or relative major)
     • First theme is usually energetic and assertive, while the second theme is more lyrical and expressive
     • Themes are connected by a transitional passage or bridge
  2. Development: Explores and manipulates the themes from the exposition, often modulating to various keys and featuring fragmentation, sequencing, and counterpoint
  3. Recapitulation: Restates the themes from the exposition, but with both themes now in the tonic key, providing a sense of resolution and closure
• The movement may also include an introduction before the exposition and a coda after the recapitulation
• Sonata form allows for a balance of unity and variety, as well as a sense of drama and narrative arc

Symphony Structure and Development

• Symphonies in the Classical era typically have four movements, each with a distinct character and form
  1. First movement: Usually in sonata form, often with a slow introduction; sets the overall tone and showcases the composer's thematic material
  2. Second movement: Slow movement, often in a contrasting key and featuring lyrical melodies; common forms include sonata form, theme and variations, or ternary (ABA) form
  3. Third movement: Minuet and Trio or Scherzo, a dance-like movement in triple meter with a contrasting middle section; provides a lighter, more playful mood
  4. Fourth movement: Fast and lively finale, often in rondo form (ABACADA) or sonata-rondo form; ends the symphony with a sense of energy and excitement
• Haydn and Mozart established the standard four-movement structure, while Beethoven later expanded and modified the form to suit his expressive needs
• Symphonies often showcase the composer's mastery of thematic development, orchestration, and emotional range

Instrumentation and Orchestration

• The Classical orchestra expanded in size and variety compared to the Baroque period
  • String section: Violins (first and second), violas, cellos, and double basses
  • Woodwinds: Flutes, oboes, clarinets (added later in the period), and bassoons
  • Brass: Horns, trumpets, and trombones (used more frequently by Beethoven)
  • Percussion: Timpani, and occasionally other instruments such as triangle, cymbals, or drums
• Composers began to treat the orchestra as a cohesive ensemble, with a focus on balanced textures and timbres
• Wind instruments were often used in pairs, providing a fuller and more colorful sound
• The string section remained the foundation of the orchestra, with violins carrying the main melodic lines and lower strings providing harmonic support
• Composers experimented with different combinations of instruments to create specific moods or effects, such as using muted strings for a mysterious atmosphere or featuring solo woodwinds for pastoral scenes

Notable Performances and Recordings

• Modern orchestras and ensembles continue to perform and record the works of Classical era composers, keeping the music alive for contemporary audiences
• Notable recordings of Mozart symphonies include those by the Academy of Ancient Music under Christopher Hogwood, the Prague Chamber Orchestra under Charles Mackerras, and the Berlin Philharmonic under Karl Böhm
• Influential recordings of Haydn symphonies include those by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra under Sir Thomas Beecham, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment under Frans Brüggen, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under Georg Solti
• Celebrated recordings of Beethoven symphonies include those by the Vienna Philharmonic under Simon Rattle, the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique under John Eliot Gardiner, and the Berlin Philharmonic under Herbert von Karajan
• Many renowned pianists have recorded the piano sonatas of Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven, including Vladimir Horowitz, Alfred Brendel, and Daniel Barenboim

Legacy and Influence

• The Classical era established musical forms, structures, and conventions that would influence composers for generations to come
• Beethoven's later works, particularly his symphonies and piano sonatas, pushed the boundaries of the Classical style and paved the way for the Romantic era
• The works of Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven remain staples of the concert repertoire and continue to inspire and delight audiences worldwide
• The Classical style's emphasis on clarity, balance, and formal structure influenced later composers such as Johannes Brahms, who sought to combine Classical forms with Romantic expressiveness
• The development of the piano as a prominent solo instrument during the Classical era laid the foundation for the virtuosic piano works of the Romantic period and beyond
• The Classical era's focus on public concerts and the rise of the middle class as consumers of music set the stage for the modern music industry and the concept of the professional musician