Classical Music

Stephenson

The Classical Era: A shift from:

• Polyphonic to homophonic texture

• Program to absolute music

• Ritornello and improvisation to clearer structure

• Harpsichord to Piano

Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven

Theme and Variations

• A - A1 - A2 - A3 - An

• Example: Haydn: Symphony 94 2nd mvt.

Sonata form

• Exposition: Two themes

• Development: Variations on themes

• Recapitulation: Return to beginning

• Example: Mozart Piano Sonata #15

Symphony

• Whole Orchestra

• 4 Movements

• Examples:

• Haydn: #94

• Beethoven #5

Quartet

• 2 Violins 1 viola and 1

cello

• 4 Movements

• Invented by Haydn

Mozart

Mozart

• Child Prodigy

• Master of the existing

forms

Mozart Operas

• Marriage of Figaro

• Magic Flute

• Many more

Beethoven

• Expanded the symphony

• A bridge between Classicism and

Romanticism