The Classical movement in art came directly from the high regard given to classical antiquity. Arts, writers, architects, and musicians based their work on the work of the classics - the Greeks and Romans.
The art is formal and restrained, form and structure, refinement of taste. Gone was the elaborate style of the Baroque, and in-style came a flash back to ancient design. Form above all else
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Art was also returning to a sense of form and refinement
To the rest of the art world, this was the Neoclassical period - neo implying new, as the Classical period took place during the days of Ancient Rome and Greece.
But of course, music didn't exist then....not as we knew it now! And we had so much more to offer - the advnacements made in instruments and tuning made the new classical era rich with form and texture.
*know your terms.
Sonata Form
Please check out the blogs on Sonata form - they have a wealth of info.
Sonata Form
Printable PDF explaining Sonata Form
Haydn - the father of the symphony, but we'll talk about string quartets...
Biographical Info
Details about his works
Haydn's public persona exemplified the Enlightenment - he dressed well, was humble, was cordial, treated all musicians with respect, and was noted for his incredible sense of humour. His wonderful personality guided him to a career of great success - add to that the fact that he was one of the most brilliant musical minds ever and insanely prolific, and you have the man that is Papa Haydn!
He loved folk tunes. He loved to play with the rules of composition. He used humour where ever he could. His use of musical motives fed the inpiration of Beethoven and Wagner. His longlife lead to a detailed body of work that essentially attacks a musical genre and we see a growth, a life, a development, an evolvement of soul.
He was composing to the concept of "Strum and drang" before it had even been used as a literary concept. He broke new ground - and was never afraid of challenging the norms. BUT, his key was that he did it with such skill and style that he wasn't seen as being inventive for destructions sake.
He was rich, paid to be himself and compose what he liked. He wanted for nothing. He had all the best musicians at his disposal, and lead a happy life. Nothing is more obvious when listening to his music.
Haydn broke ground, and gave us the "new basics" but with such joy his music could not be ignored!
Mozart
Biographical Info
My favourite quote about Mozart, from Glenn Gould: "Its a shame he died so late..."
Eine Kleine Nacthmusik
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| Wolfie, with pushy father Leopold and lack-lusture sister Nanneral. |
Beethoven
"...he shall make a great noise...."
Biographical Info
As if sent by God, Beethoven took to the world and set art on its ear. There was no stopping him. Mozart was right (for once), Beethoven did make a big sound. No one made a greater noise than he.
Music
So very much can be said about Beethoven - most of it in class.
His childhood racked with unhappiness. His musical life split into three periods. Strum and Drang at play as art imitating life imitating art.
The 5th symphony was a trimuph. He made strides with each symphony, so not surprising that this one would be different than anything before it - but from it we'd like to think we understood more about the man behind the music.
No composer has more followers. No composer is more instantly recognizable. No composer said so much. No composer achieved the same level of passion.
It is said that when Beethoven died, a clap of thunder came from a clear blue sky....a tearing in two of the curtain perhaps.
