Music History II Final
Mezzo carattere
"Middle character" A character who occupies a middle ground between serious and comic
Sturm und Drang
"Storm and stress" A musical style that uses agitation, counterpoint, chromaticism, and dramatic surprises
Period
(1) An era whose music is understood to have common attributes of style, conventions, approach and function, in contrast to previous and following eras. (2) In musical form, especially since the eighteenth century, a complete musical thought concluded by a cadence and normally containing at least two phrases.
Opéra Comique
(French "comic opera") (1) In the eighteenth-century, light French comic opera which used spoken dialogue instead of recitatives. (2) In nineteenth-century France, opera with spoken dialogue, whether comic or tragic.
Galant/rococo style
(French, "elegant") Eighteenth century musical style that featured song-like melodies, short phrases, frequent cadences, and light accompianment
Singspiel
(German "singing play") German genre of opera, featuring spoken dialogue interspersed with songs, choruses, and instrumental music.
Empfindsamkeit style
(German, "sensitive style" or "sentimental style") Close relative of the galant style, featuring surprising turns of harmony, chromaticism, nervous rhythms, and speech-like melodies
Opera Buffa
(Italian "comic opera") Eighteenth-century genre of Italian comic opera that is sung throughout.
Opera Seria
(Italian "serious opera") Eighteenth-century genre of Italian opera, on a serious subject but normally with a happy ending, usually without comic characters and scenes.
Minuet and Trio Form
A form that joins two binary-form minuets to create an ABA pattern, where A is the minuet and B is the trio.
Sonata Form
A form typically used in first movements of sonatas, instrumental chamber works, and symphonies during the Classic and Romantic periods. It is also an expansion of rounded binary form. (Intro)||:Exposition: Theme 1-->Transition-->Theme 2 (Dominant or Relative Major):||-->Development-->Recapitulation (Ends in Tonic)--> (Coda)||
Rondo Form
A musical form in which the first or main section recurs, usually in the tonic, between subsidiary sections or episodes.
Englightment
A vibrant intellectual movement of the eighteenth century whose central themes were reason, nature, and progress.
Pergolesi, La serva padrona, aria, "Son imbrogliato io"
A-B-A form Orchestra ritornello Patter-fast speech Contrasts Syllabic text
According to Heinrich Christoph Koch musical phrases are related to a subject and predicate in grammar. You construct a melody by joining together short segments of the melody, which Koch calls incises, to from phrases, and then the phrases form periods. Koch believed this kind of organization was imperative to make a melody capable of being sung and capable of moving feelings.
According to Heinrich Christoph Koch, how is a melodic period put together?
Christoph Willibald Gluck (1714-1787)
Achieved a synthesis of French, Italian, and Germanic writing styles Studied under Giovanni Battista Sammartini Orfeo ed Euridice Aspired to write his music with "beautiful simplicity" Associated with reform opera
Sammartini, Symphony in F Major, mvt. 1
Binary form Presto One idea follows another in rapid succession
Alberti Bass
Broken chord accompaniment common in the second half of the eighteenth century and named after Domenico Alberti, who used the figuration frequently.
Gluck, Orfeo, Act II, scene 1
Castrati Dissonance used for dramatic effect Chorus furthers the drama rather than interrupting Galant vocal sytle
Gluck's "Principles of Reform Opera"
Christoph Willibald Gluck played a leading role in liberating operas from the chains of opera seria. He created a new operatic style based on dramatic expression. Gluck did not like to interrupt the action of the story. He sought beautiful simplicity.
Mozart, Don Giovanni, Act I, scenes 1-2
Commissioned by an impresario in Prague Libretto written by librettist used for Figaro Opera buffa with hints of opera seria Music is attuned to the text, Leaping notes depict pacing. Sinking chromatic lines depict the death.
Baroque Polyphonic- many independent voices Imitative Fortspinnung "spinning out" Long melody Infrequent cadences Complex phrasing Tonal cadences are consonant Abundant dissonance Contrapuntal Doctrine of Affections Classical Period /Galant Pleasant Major Mode Melody with accompaniment Treble melody Song-like Homophonic Bass is the harmonic foundation Simple, natural, symmetrical "Noble simplicity" Slow harmonic rhythm Expressive Freedom Frequent Cadences I-V-I Clear phrasing Periodicity Contrasting moods Cosmopolitanism
Compare the Baroque Period and the Classical Period.
All three forms end with the B section and also modulate I-V and V-I. Simple binary form has roughly equal A and B sections and the sections are different or loosely related. Balanced binary form presents new material in the dominant at the end of the A section and to repeat it in the tonic at the end of the B section. Rounded binary form highlights the return to the tonic in the B section by repeating the material that opened in the A section. Rounded binary form does something different than balanced and simple binary form. A to B section in the second section modulates to I in the A section and the B stays in I instead of going back to V.
Describe the correspondences between these three forms by noting what is similar and different from binary form.
There is a boisterous introduction that is inspired by an operatic recitative. Then a review and rejection of the theme and the previous movement them as well. The "joy" theme is the proposed and accepted. There is also a double fugue on both the original theme and the "joy" theme and a coda that used Turkish percussion, in which the joy theme is hailed in strains of "matchless sublimity."
Describe the sequence of events in the finale.
|: A B :| |: X A B:|
Diagram a sonata first movement form as described by Koch.
|: A B :| |: X A B | |: I - V :| | mod.-V-I - I :|
Diagram sonata form as described by theorists of the 1830s and later.
Burke's "The Sublime and the Beautiful"
Edmund Burke compares beauty to sublimity. Sublime objects are vast while beautiful are small. He finds these descriptions to be very different and he found one was formed on pain (sublime) and the other on pleasure (beauty). He also found sublimity to contain more passion.
Intermezzo
Eighteenth-century genre of Italian comic opera, performed between acts of a serious opera or play.
C.P.E. Bach, Sonata in A Major, mvt. 2
Empfindsamkeit style Ornamentation serves as a means of expression Constantly changing rhythms, making the music feel unpredictable and restless Variant of binary form
Variations form
Form that presents an uninterrupted series of variants (each called a variation) on a theme; the theme may be a melody, a bass line, a harmonic plan, or other musical subject.
Ballad Opera
Genre of the eighteenth-century English comic play featuring songs in which new words are set to borrowed tunes.
Mozart made a living in Vienna as a free agent for ten years with multiple sources of income because he never found a singular suitable position. He had all the pupils he was willing to take and made them pay monthly; this means he was stilled paid if they skipped a lesson. He performed in public and private concerts; he composed profusely for his own concerts, commission, and publication. In December of 1787, Mozart was appointed chamber music composer to the emperor, which gave him a steady, modest salary.
How did Mozart make a living in Vienna?
Rulers supported the arts and also promoted social reform because of the philosophy of the period. Religion also went by the wayside for many avid thinkers because if you could not see if or touch it then your reasoning deduced it did not exist.
How did the wider cultural climate of the eighteenth century affect music?
The beginning Galant style is in major while the Sturm und Drang transitions into a minor key and then back into the major which mimics sonata form for a first movement.
How do the changes of style in Mozart's Piano Sonata in F Major, K. 332, mvt. 1 highlight the harmonic plan of the movement?
The frequent changes of style that continue throughout the movement, outline the form and broaden the range of expression for the listener.
How do the changes of style relate to the movement's form in Mozart's Piano Sonata in F Major, K. 332, mvt. 1?
Musical phrases are like speech and terminology was actually borrowed from the art of oration. Eighteenth century theorist compared a melody to a sentence or a musical composition to a speech. Just as sentences and clauses break up a speech, phrases and periods break up a composition and make it easier to understand.
How does Koch's process of putting a melodic period together resemble that of an orator formulating a sentence or making a speech?
Binary From goes A to B as well with repeats and modulates to the dominant or relative major, but Koch's first movement form is an expanded version of binary form. So binary form is very similar to Koch's form because Koch's first movement form is based off of binary form.
How is Koch's first movement sonata form similar or different than binary form?
The 19th century theorists divided the sonata in three sections, which corresponded with three periods. This was different than Koch's diagram, which was based on binary form. The modulation was basically the same for both and consisted of a development section.
How is the sonata form described by theorists of the 1830s different and similar to Koch's description?
The typical orchestra of the mid-eighteenth century from around 1760-1785 was smaller than today's orchestra. Rarely was Haydn's orchestra more than twenty-five players.
How large was the typical orchestra in the mid-eighteenth century?
Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Bass
How were the strings divided in a mid-eighteenth century orchestra?
Stretto
In a fugue, overlapping entrances of the subject that enter more quickly after one another than in the opening exposition.
D. Scarlatti, Sonata in D Major
Intro |:A:||:B:| Balanced Binary Form Large leaps, rushing scales, rapid arpeggios Spanish influences- castanet-like rhythms, dense chords
Pietro Metastasio (1698-1782)
Italian librettist and poet Created the standard form for opera seria La clemenza di Tito
Rousseau's "The Merits of Italian Opera"
Jean-Jacques Rousseau supported Italian opera over French opera. He found it truer to nature than French opera and more moving because it emphasized the expressive melody. Rousseau also preferred lightly accompanied melody and disliked counterpoint.
Symphony
Large work for orchestra, usually in four movements
Raniero de Calzabigi (1714-1795)
Librettist Worked with C.W. Gluck on Orfeo ed Euridice Associated with reform opera
John Gay (1685-1732)
Libretto for The Beggar's Opera, an English ballad opera
Mozart used contrasting styles in the first movement of K.332. The theme was song-like; it unfolds naturally and spontaneously. Mozart introduces a contrasting idea with the first theme and ties it back to the opening melody. The first phrase is a melodic allegro section. He then introduces imitation and counterpoint (mm.5-12). The second idea is suggestive of a hunting style, with a melody and baseline can be played on a horn usually only the harmonic series (mm. 12-20). The transition that begins at mm. 23 is Sturm und Drang; it is loud and impassioned with fast rhythms, full texture, chromaticism, and strong dissonance which occurs in a minor key.
List the diverse musical styles Mozart used in his Piano Sonata in F Major, K. 332, mvt. 1.
Fugato
Music in the style of a fugue, but not in strict or complete fugal form.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778)
One of the leaders of the Enlightenment Wrote The Social Contract Argued the merits of Italian Opera
Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757)
One of the most original and creative keyboard composers of the eighteenth century Italian composer in Spain/Portugal Essercizi Sonata in D Major
Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (1710-1736)
One of the most original composers of his day. He is best known for his intermezzo La serva padrona, which is a typical comic opera
Johann Adolf Hasse (1699-1783)
One of the most popular and successful composers in Europe from the 1720s to the 1770s He was acknowledged as the great master of opera seria. Composed the famous aria Digli ch'io son fedele from Hasse's Cleofide
The first period begins at birth and goes through almost 30 years (1770-1802). This is the period in which Beethoven mastered the musical language and genres of his time and developed his personal voice and also began to lose his hearing in 1798, In the second period (1803-1814), he developed a style that achieved new levels of drama and expression and which brought him large amounts of popularity. During this period, in 1802, Beethoven also realized his hearing loss was permanent and it gradually got worse. The third period (1815-1827), which ended with his death, was a time in which his music became more difficult for performers to play, let alone the listeners to comprehend. His music became more introspective during this period.
Provide important biographical information for each of Beethoven's periods and a brief characterization of each.
Haydn, String Quartet Op. 33 No. 2 (The Joke), mvt. 4
Rondo form |:A:|:B:|AB|AB|Coda Short adagio section that uses empfindsamkeit for humorous effect Long grand pause to tempt audience to clap before end
Mozart, Piano Sonata in F Major, mvt. 1
Sonata form Contrasts of style and figuration used to delineate the parts of the form Sturm und drang and galant style Development begins with new melody
Stamitz, Sinfonia in E-flat Major, mvt. 1
Strong, triadic themes Solo passages for woodwinds and brass Mannheim roller crescendo effect Doesn't follow sonata form Organicism
Heiligenstadt Testament
The Heiligenstadt Testament is a letter Beethoven wrote in the village of Heiligenstadt about his deafness. It was intended to be read by his brothers after his death. Beethoven seems very depressed and possibly suicidal in the letter. He talks about senseless physicians and how is now having to face this malady as permanent. He apologizes for coming off as harsh and withdrawn because of his deafness for it was because of his bad hearing and he did not want anyone to discover it because he was embarrassed by it. He also talks about how he is humiliated because he couldn't heard "flute in the distance" or a "shepherd singing." He said it was only his art that held him back from utter despair.
Classical Period
The musical period from about 1730 to 1815. It is between and overlapping the Baroque and Romantic period
Periodicity
The quality of being periodic, especially when this is emphasized through frequent resting points and articulations between phrases and periods.
Mozart, Symphony No. 41 in C Major (Jupiter), K. 551, Finale
Trumpet, timpani, woodwinds added to the symphony Links the Koch's sonata form with Mozart's learned counterpoint and fugue of the early eighteenth century Coda is in galant style and a strict fugue by treating the opening motives of the first and second theme as double subjects.
The Abduction from the Seraglio(1782) The Marriage of Figaro (1786) Don Giovanni (1787), Cosi fan tutte (1790) Die Zauberflöte (1791).
What are Mozart's five best-known operas of his Vienna period, and in what year was each premiered?
The first movement of Eroica Symphony has a phrase that ends on C# chromatically, which would be surprising to Beethoven's audience. Eroica is unprecedented in scale. It has a lot to say. There are themes, development of the themes, motives, and even developments of the motives. Chromaticism is also abundant as well as building tension using chromaticism, rhythmic and harmonic changes. Beethoven uses a wide spectrum of keys to express different worlds of emotion. Each new experience of the theme becomes darker, representing real life through wrong turns, confusion and helplessness, which was a small glimpse into Beethoven's life and his struggle with losing his hearing. The movement ends with emotional extremes and triumph for the hero. I think this movement would be not only unusual for the audience, but also overwhelming because so much is happening as well as the length, makes it hard to follow for even the most experienced listener.
What are some features of the first movement of Beethoven's Eroica Symphony that his audiences would have found unusual?
The Mannheim orchestra was famous because of its impeccable discipline and technique. It was renowned for its unprecedented dynamic range from the softest pianissimo to the loudest fortissimo and for the thrilling sound of its crescendo, both effects that Stamitz exploited in his music.
What are some of the techniques that made the Mannheim orchestra famous?
The arias were typically in galant style and were made up of short phrases that were often repeated or varied. These phrases were organized into periods and accompanied by simple harmonies and figurations.
What are the arias of an opera buffa like?
Opera buffa or comic opera is a full-length work with six or more singing characters and was sung throughout the whole opera. The plots were centered on ordinary middle class people, instead of royalty and noblemen or myth and history like opera seria. Opera buffa was targeted at a middle class audience. It was entertaining and satirized aristocrats. There was also stock characters such as bungling physicians or vain noblewomen. The main character was usually the only serious character. The dialogue was set in rapidly delivered recitative accompanied by continuo or keyboard.
What are the characteristics of an opera buffa?
Metastatsio's librettos employ a conventional cast of two pairs of lovers surrounded by other characters.
What are the characteristics of the opera seria libretto as established by Pietro Metastasio?
First movement: Sonata form Second movement: Slow movement that is either sonata form, ternary form, or variation form. Third movement: Minuet and Trio Fourth Movement: Fast sonata form or Rondo
What are the common forms for the four movements of a symphony?
Singspiel is German for "singing play." It was a genre of opera with spoken dialogue, musical numbers, and usually a comical plot. Many singspiel tunes were published in German song collections. French opera comique was the native French version of light opera. Its music consisted almost entirely of popular tunes known as vaudevilles, or simple melodies that imitated vaudevilles. By the end of 1760s, all the opera comique was newly composed music.
What are the distinctive features of Singspeil and French opéra comique?
Opera seria consisted of three acts which used alternating arias and recitatives. There are occasional duets, a few larger ensembles, and rare, simple choruses. The orchestra mainly serves to accompany the singer. Opera seria is centered on arias. At the beginning of the century it was the da capo aria, which was a basic ABA scheme that permitted enormous variations in detail. Arias started to express moods by using a variety of musical material.
What are the musical characteristics of an opera seria?
The typical Haydn symphony has four movements: (1) a fast sonata-form, often beginning with a slow introduction; (2) a slow movement; (3) a minuet and trio; and (4) a fast finale, usually in sonata or rondo form. All of these movements are in a closely related key such as the subdominant or dominant to the tonic.
What are the standard four movements of a Haydn symphony and what are the general characteristics of each?
The orchestral concertos of Torelli and other composers were also equally important sources for the symphony the fast-slow-fast movements. Church sonatas as well influenced the symphony used the same movement structure and homophonic nature. Finally, the orchestral suite is one source of the binary form that is common in the symphony. These similarities across genres suggest that multiple influences led to the symphony.
What characteristics does the Classic symphony share with Baroque instrumental genres?
John Gay composed The Beggar's Opera through the art of satire. He replaced the ancient heroes and elevated the sentiments of traditional opera with modern urban thieves and prostitutes and their crimes. The poetry and music often spoofed opera or used operatic conventions to create humor. Gay used techniques that were familiar to the public and then altered them to become more enjoyable to his audience.
What did John Gay do to "compose" this work?
The classical styles of music were supposed to "natural." Charles Batteux said the arts imitated and perfected nature. He found the Baroque method of using counterpoint as a way of showing off and an "empty show." If the music isn't easily understood than it probably isn't true to nature. Galant style was a freer, more songlike, homophonic style of music. Whereas Baroque period music was a strict style that relied on contrapuntal writing. Empfindsamkiet style was a lively style of music that has surprising changes in harmony, jumpy rhythms, and free moving, lyrical melody. It was mostly associated with Carl Phillip Emanuel Bach's slow movements and fantasias. I find the galant style to be more dance like and the empfindsamkiet to be more expressive and lyrical. C.P.E. Bach's Sonata in A major 1st movement reminds me of Rhapsody by Willson Osbourne that I played. The time signature is a little freer flowing and allows for musical pauses.
What distinguishes the new classical styles (including galant and empfinsamkeit) from Baroque style and from each other?
Beethoven's Eroica Symphony has strong links to France during the Republic, who Beethoven was sympathetic towards. The strings' mimic the rolls of muffled drums and the C major section mimics a Revolutionary hymn by using fanfares and drum rolls. Fidelio mimics the humanitarian ideals of the Revolution through the main figure Leonaore who was idealized into a figure of sublime courage and self-denial.
What do Beethoven's Eroica Symphony and his opera Fidelio owe to the arts and politics of France in the Revolutionary period?
From the French Revolution in 1789 through the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815, the old political order in Europe gave way to a new one. New economic order began to emerge with the Industrial Revolution. The French Revolution was inspired in part by the Enlightenment ideas of equality, human rights, social reform, etc. Louis XVI was forced to sign a new constitution for France and elected local governments were established. French government executed thousands of political opponents via guillotine. Then a First Consul of the Republic was formed in 1799 and its head Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself emperor in 1804.
What effects did the French Revolutions and Napoleonic wars have on politics and culture in Western Europe at the end of the eighteenth century?
C.P.E. Bach used the empfindsamkeit style, characterized by constantly changing rhythm, sudden surprising changes of harmony, texture, or dynamic level, and instrumental evocations of recitative and the multiplicity of rhythmic patterns, nervously and constantly changing turns.
What elements of the second movement of C.P.E. Bach's Sonata in A Major are typical of his empfindsamkeit style?
The symphony is scored for flute, two oboes, two bassoons, two horns in C, two trumpets in C, timpani, and strings. The woodwinds are given a prideful place as a section because soloists were given the task of bearing the weight of the full-fledged symphony theme.
What instrumentation does Mozart used in his Symphony No. 41?
It consisted of flute, two oboes, two bassoons, two horns, about twelve to sixteen strings, and a harpsichord, with trumpets and timpani added for special occasions.
What instruments were members of a mid-eighteenth century orchestra and about how many were there?
Blend of Galant, empfindsam, and Baroque traditions Immediately recognizable, tuneful themes Eastern European folk tunes Economical use of material Humor, wit, musical jokes, surprise Sudden dynamic contrasts
What is Haydn's symphonic style?
Song-like themes More melodic than Haydn Theme areas may have great internal contrast Big alterations to sonata form Patchwork of many diverse styles (Galant, "learned." Empfindsam, operatic, etc.) Learned is a stricter style such as Baroque counterpoint
What is Mozart's symphonic style?
Beethoven's Ninth Symphony's first three movements are on such a grand scale that they take more than an hour to perform. The expected form for the last movement is a fast movement, which is what is performed, but he uses solo voices, quartets, chorus, and orchestra for this piece. He introduced voices at the climax of a long symphony was difficult and which is what makes this piece unusual.
What is unusual about Beethoven's Ninth Symphony?
Pietro Metastasio's operas aimed to teach the deeds of heroism, promote morality, and present models of merciful and enlightened rulers, which was in tune with the thought of the Enlightenment.
What moral lessons did Pietro Metastasio's operas aim to teach?
Beethoven's last period was a time of great isolation. His deafness had become profound and by 1818 he couldn't hear at all. This cause him to lose contact with others, he retreated into himself, and became moody and morbidly suspicious towards everyone, even his friends and family. Family problems, ill health, and apprehensions of poverty also plagued him and willed him to keep composing during even the most difficult times. Napoleon was defeated in 1815, so post-war depressions made it difficult to produce large-scale public works. He did not write politically linked works during this time; it was psychologically inappropriate.
What personal, family, and political circumstances affected Beethoven's personality and his music after 1814?
Mozart used the brass and woodwinds for rhythmic color, and timbre color as well. The bassoons took over the work of the bass continuo and the clarinet carried its own melodies. The texture overall is homophonic.
What role do the woodwinds and brass play in texture in Mozart's Symphony No. 41?
Koch believed thinking of music gramatically for organization was imperative to make a melody capable of being sung and capable of moving feelings. This division of the melody in phrases and periods is supported by harmony. Cadences show us where the weakest internal phrases are and where the stronger closing periods are. Even then, the strongest yet such as perfect authentic cadences are saved for the end of sections and movements.
What role does harmony play in how a melodic period is put together?
Haydn composed mostly instrumental music for the prince which ranged from orchesteral works for concerts to baryton trios during the early 1760s. He also composed sacred vocal music and operas for the theaters at Esterháza. When the orchestra was disbanded in 1790, Haydn moved to London and composed his last twelve symphonies there.
What sorts of music did Haydn compose for his patron, and how did that change overtime?
Ballad opera
What type of musical theater is The Beggar's Opera?
As part of his employment, Haydn was required to compose whatever music Prince Paul Anton Esterházy demanded, conduct performances, train and supervise all the music personnel, and keep the instruments in performing condition.
What was Haydn required to do as part of his employment?
Enlightenment was an intellectual and humanitarian movement of the eighteenth century that centered on getting back to what was natural in human nature. There were many scientific advances during the Enlightenment and focused on reasoning and careful observations to come to conclusions. Supporters of the Enlightenment valued an individual worldview and morals over religious faith, valued naturalness over artificiality (the women in paintings are more realistic), and a universal education for all regardless of status.
What was the Enlightenment?
The parents of the symphony were the Italian sinfonia, or opera overture
What were the "parents" of the symphony?
The symphony originated in Italy around 1730.
Where (in what region) and when did the symphony originate?
The leader of the violins conducted instead of the harpsichord as in previous orchestras.
Who conducted a mid-eighteenth century orchestra and who did they replace?
The Esterházy family
Who was Hadyn's principle patron?
Bach's use of the element of surprise, sudden change of dynamics, unexpected harmonic shifts, and creation of suspense and excitement made it popular with the public and with amateurs because all of these elements make it fun to play.
Why was Bach's Sonata in A Major was popular among the amateur music-making public?
Haydn, Symphony No. 92 in G Major (Oxford), mvt. 1
Winds, strings, harpsichord instrumentation Sonata form Recap section and then takes off on something new and develops ideas further
Heinrich Christoph Koch (1749-1816)
Wrote treatises directed towards amateurs who wanted to compose Diagrammed binary view |: A B :| |: X A B:|
Simple Binary Form
|: A :| |: B :|
Balanced Binary Form
|: A B:| |: A B:| or |: A B:| |: X B:|
Rounded Binary Form
|: A B:| |: X A B:|
