6. Classical traits audio lecture by Simoncic: Write a two-part review: Part 1 from timestamp 00:00to 4:50 and Part 2 from 4: 56 to 11:26 https://www.dropbox.com/s/cffdpda45pq6kh2/Classical%20period%20traits.mp4?dl=0
7. Classical Traits written notes: There was a period of transition from Baroque to Classical music. The sons of Bach and others helped the transition.
While counterpoint and polyphony were the mainstream in Baroque, clarity and a more "folk-like" movement often dominated the classical period. The time frame for the classical period was from about 1750-1825.
Music became far more homophonic in texture which means one melody with accompaniment around it: Most of the American pop music is homophonic. I refer to it as the rhythmic "boom-chuck" effect. PS, All music of all genres, periods, countries, and styles is equally valuable!!!
The 18th-century style and audiences: The music style seemed to reach all classes of people due to its "folk-like and "pop-like" melodies. Its basic simplicity appealed to everyone, young or old. All too often, the composers wrote to the audience and on request. Franz Joseph, in his early years, wrote a great deal of "hack" or "Pop" songs and music but did it under pseudonyms. This was a time when the pursuit of happiness, the Enlightenment Period, and seemed more important than things of the past.
Great generalizations: Classical Music is: Clarity and beauty of music form, objectivity. Attempt not to excite or offend the audience.
Historically the French and American Revolutions were taking place as was the industrial revolution.
Classical melodies were of a folk, song-like nature, easy to and somewhat simple. In this period, the "pop" music (folk) and classical music melodies sounded very much alike.
Melodies were often conjunct (not too many leaps and jumps), but notes going from one note to another stepwise. Melodies/folk-like and often diatonic, which means using the 7 notes of the scale.
The exception to conjunct melodies is those found in many opera arias.
Chords were often based on the tonic, subdominant, and dominant often referred to as hymn chords also used in American Blues. They continue to govern much of our pop music today. Refer to Simoncic video in Week III. "Brief Introduction to the Classical period".
The beat and rhythm: Music had a regular beat and regular rhythms until a strong emergence of syncopation found its way into the writing style of Beethoven. Classical period Overview: Classical period Melodies are often square and symmetric (like pop music) until Beethoven.
The form was based on contrasting sections or contrasting themes. Sonata form, string quartet, sonatas, and symphonies: Theme and variation form, rondo form, and the opera overture became standardized. Opera moved to subject matter about daily life as well as myth.
Franz Joseph Haydn was the "father" of Sonata form: Early sonatas contained three movements but quickly a 4th movement was added. The first movement is a very large 3-section structure; Part 1, Exposition, Part 2, Development and Part 3, Recapitulation.
Beethoven expanded the development section of the sonata form. He replaced the minuet in the four-movement symphony with the scherzo. He thought minuets, a common third movement form used by Haydn and Mozart were condescending and meant strictly to entertain royalty; He also advanced music virtuosity for the piano.
Mozart's operas and concertos were the rages for at least a short period in the classical time period.
The classical period is often called the "Age of Reason".
Absolute Music: Some call classical music "absolute music" which means music without a story or text. I completely disagree with that statement. It was more a politically correct statement than what composers were thinking. It does tell a story through its form and musical themes similar to characters in a book or play. Music development sections would take the main and sub-theme through a journey of scales, textural changes orchestral changes, and certainly rhythmic and dynamic changes. As a result, the form became more important to hold the music together.
Answer this: What did you glean from my Traits written notes that helped you understand my audio lecture in question 6?
8. Music Form: The types of genre that relied on the form were the sonata, symphony, and concerto but not usually the overture. Variation Form: An easy Mozart set of variations nicely done by the presenter.
Answer This: Listen to at least five variations, not the first five only. Briefly describe how your critical ear tuned into these variations and the original theme and how the theme was always there. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcPJ-TU43Iw&t=2s
9. Point out 3 areas that clearly indicate that this music is not from the 18th century: I'm not interested in the opinions posted by video folks! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY8foONe22A
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