The Classical EraThe Classical Era1750-18001750-1800

Neoclassicism in ArtNeoclassicism in Art

Imitation of Greco-Roman art Imitation of Greco-Roman art Clarity and simplicityClarity and simplicitySymmetry and balanceSymmetry and balance Objectivity (intellectual rather than Objectivity (intellectual rather than

emotional)emotional)

The EnlightenmentThe Enlightenment

Reason over tradition or customReason over tradition or custom Social reform- rise of middle classSocial reform- rise of middle class Encyclopedic frame of mindEncyclopedic frame of mind

Age of revolution – government should Age of revolution – government should arise from the will of the people rather arise from the will of the people rather than be imposed by a ruling classthan be imposed by a ruling class American RevolutionAmerican Revolution French RevolutionFrench Revolution

David, Oath of the Horatii, 1785David, Oath of the Horatii, 1785

David, Death of Socrates, 1787

Jean Honoré Fragonard, The Swing (1766) Rococo

Francois Boucher

Toilet of Venus

Nude on a Sofa

First Painter to King Louis XV

Old vs. NewOld vs. New

AristocraticTradition-boundDecadent

EgalitarianEnlightenedSelf sacrifice

Thomas Jefferson – Rotunda at the University of VirginiaThomas Jefferson – Rotunda at the University of Virginia

The Pantheon in Rome, ItalyThe Pantheon in Rome, Italy

Jacques-Germain SoufflotSainte Genevieve, 1757-1792

Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel (1805)

Arch of Constantine, Rome, Italy

NapoleonNapoleon -Canova Greek, c. 480 B.C.

Classicism in musicClassicism in music

Not modeled on ancient musicNot modeled on ancient musicModeled on classical ideals: balance, Modeled on classical ideals: balance,

symmetry, claritysymmetry, clarityShould appeal to both the amateur Should appeal to both the amateur

and professionaland professional

The Changing AudienceThe Changing Audience

Aristocratic in the Baroque Aristocratic in the Baroque Both middle class and upper class in 18Both middle class and upper class in 18thth century century Music that appeals to allMusic that appeals to all

Rise of comic opera Rise of comic opera Plots from everyday lifePlots from everyday lifeMore natural text settingMore natural text settingVernacular Vernacular

Instrumental music (played at public concerts)Instrumental music (played at public concerts)Focus on melodyFocus on melodyBalanced phrases Balanced phrases

The Situation of the musician: The Situation of the musician: The Patronage systemThe Patronage system

BenefitsBenefits: : Steady incomeSteady income Housed, fed, and Housed, fed, and

clothedclothed Worked with good Worked with good

musiciansmusicians An audience of An audience of

connoisseurs connoisseurs

DisadvantagesDisadvantages:: Musicians were Musicians were

servantsservants Had to cater to the Had to cater to the

patron’s tastespatron’s tastes

Contrasting Careers: Contrasting Careers: Haydn and MozartHaydn and Mozart

Franz Joseph Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)Haydn (1732-1809)

Struggled to earn a Struggled to earn a living teaching in living teaching in ViennaVienna

1761-Got a 1761-Got a position with the position with the Esterhazy familyEsterhazy family

Wolfgang Amadeus MozartWolfgang Amadeus Mozart(1756-1791)(1756-1791)

Leopold Mozart, Leopold Mozart, violinist and composer violinist and composer for the archbishop of for the archbishop of Salzburg Salzburg

Child prodigy Child prodigy Position for the Position for the

archbishop of Salzburgarchbishop of Salzburg Disagreements Disagreements 1781-Mozart fired, 1781-Mozart fired,

moved to Viennamoved to Vienna

Conventions for Instrumental Conventions for Instrumental Genres Genres

4 Movements: Fast-slow-minuet-fast4 Movements: Fast-slow-minuet-fastSymphony (a new genre)Symphony (a new genre)String Quartet (developed from Baroque String Quartet (developed from Baroque

trio sonata)trio sonata)

3 Movements: Fast-slow-fast3 Movements: Fast-slow-fastKeyboard Sonata Keyboard Sonata Concerto (same principle as Baroque Concerto (same principle as Baroque

concerto)concerto)

Classical Style (vs. Baroque) Classical Style (vs. Baroque)

Scoring: no basso continuo Scoring: no basso continuo Dynamics: gradual changes; clarifies Dynamics: gradual changes; clarifies

formformRhythm: a variety of rhythmic Rhythm: a variety of rhythmic

patterns within one movement; patterns within one movement; clarifies formclarifies form

Melody- balanced phrases; used to Melody- balanced phrases; used to clarify harmonic and formal content clarify harmonic and formal content

Classical Style (vs. Baroque) Classical Style (vs. Baroque)

Harmony- Rameau develops a new Harmony- Rameau develops a new theory of harmony (Treatise on theory of harmony (Treatise on Harmony, 1722)Harmony, 1722)Progressions of harmonies Progressions of harmonies Slower harmonic rhythm Slower harmonic rhythm

Texture: variety within one Texture: variety within one movement; clarifies formmovement; clarifies form

Form: Sonata form (developed from Form: Sonata form (developed from Baroque binary form)Baroque binary form)

Sonata Form: For first and Sonata Form: For first and last movementslast movements

Part 1 Part 2

Section 1

Section 2

Section 3

Section 4

P S(T, t)

(K, k) “Fantasy”

P (T, t) S (K, k)

• •

• •

• •

I V V Modulatory

I I

i III III Modulatory

i i

or i I I

Exposition Development Recapitulation

Classical Style (vs. Baroque) Classical Style (vs. Baroque)

Baroque: rhetorical modelBaroque: rhetorical modelClassical: dramatic modelClassical: dramatic model

The working out and resolution of The working out and resolution of conflict conflict

Mozart’s Da Ponte OperasMozart’s Da Ponte Operas

Librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte:Librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte:Le nozze di FigaroLe nozze di Figaro (The marriage of (The marriage of

Figaro)Figaro)17861786

Don Giovanni Don Giovanni 17871787

Cosi fan tutte Cosi fan tutte (Thus do all women)(Thus do all women)17901790

Don GiovanniDon Giovanni

Don GiovanniDon Giovanni Leporello- his Leporello- his

servantservant Donna Anna- Donna Anna-

noblewoman noblewoman Commendatore- her Commendatore- her

fatherfather Don Ottavio- her Don Ottavio- her

boyfriendboyfriend Donna ElviraDonna Elvira Zerlina- peasant girl Zerlina- peasant girl

1

Die ZauberflöteDie Zauberflöte((The Magic FluteThe Magic Flute))

17911791 SingspielSingspiel Emanuel Emanuel

SchikanederSchikaneder The plot and The plot and

Freemasonry Freemasonry Protagonist’s (and Protagonist’s (and

audience’s) audience’s) journey from journey from ignorance and ignorance and superstition to superstition to enlightenment enlightenment

Die Zauberflöte’sDie Zauberflöte’sPrincipal CharactersPrincipal Characters

Tamino - a PrinceTamino - a Prince Sarastro – Priest of the Sarastro – Priest of the

SunSun Queen of NightQueen of Night Pamina – her daughterPamina – her daughter Papageno – a bird Papageno – a bird

catchercatcher Monostatos – overseer Monostatos – overseer

of Templeof Temple

Jenkens' Queen of Night/