MUSI 1000 Lecture 12: DONE Chapter 12 - Classical Style
Document Summary
Inspired by philological and archeological research: simple lines, austerity, no excessive ornamentation. Enlightenment: age of reason, gave way to age of revolution, discovery of natural laws, scientific advances, social justic, equality, freedom of speech, voltaire and rousseau important writers and philosophers. Comic opera (opera buffa): middle class, librettos punctured pomposity. Public concerts: classical music moved from palace to concert hall, supported by middle class. The piano: new keyboard, replaced harpsichord. Invented 1700: could produce dynamic contrasts, played by amateurs, especially women. Typical features: phrases have similar rhythms and motives, phrases balance each other. Alberti bass: named after domenico alberti, enlivens passage of static harmony. Rhythmic variety within single composition, unlike baroque. Counterpoint not often used, for contrast, remains feature of liturgical music. Strings still centre, metal strings replace gut. Clarinet: new instrument invented around 1710. Capital city of old holy roman empire. Aristocracy patronised musicians like mozart and haydn and beethoven: created viennese classical style.
