Classical Composers
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This document provides an overview of classical composers and genres, focusing on Vienna in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It describes the dominance of the Viennese School and notable composers including Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven. Haydn is considered the father of the symphony, composing over 100, while Mozart produced famous operas and concertos before dying at age 35. Beethoven was a transitional figure between classical and romantic eras, producing heroic symphonies including his famous Symphony No. 5, which features the well-known "short-short-short-long" motif.
Classical Composers
- 1. Classical Composers & Genres
- 2. Vienna: Musical Capital Dominance of the Viennese School Franz Joseph Haydn Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Ludwig van Beethoven Other notable composers Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach Johann Christian Bach Muzio Clementi
- 3. Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) Born to poor family in south Austria Sang in Vienna Boy’s Choir St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna Received education through the choir school Dismissed at age 16 when voice changed Made meagre living teaching and playing Enters service of Esterhazy’s at age 29
- 4. Franz Joseph Haydn (contd.) Esterhazy’s – wealthy Hungarian princes Nikolaus Esterhazy – musical court Haydn served almost 30 years Became famous throughout Europe Profitable London visits after Nikolaus dies Considered the father of the symphony Composed over 100 symphonies
- 5. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Relatively short life (1756 – 1791) Enormous cognitive and creative ability Toured Europe with father & sister as child Started to compose before he was five Operas, symphonies, & concertos by age 12 Chafed under unappreciative patron Archbishop Colloredo of Salzburg
- 6. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Moved to Vienna as freelancer Taught, performed, and composed The Marriage of Figaro Don Giovanni The Magic Flute Requiem (unfinished) Died at age 35
- 7. Beethoven (1770-1827) Born in Bonn, Germany Unhappy upbringing Alcoholic father was abusive Had to provide for mother and 2 brothers Organist in chapel at age 11 Unsuccessfully tried to study with Mozart Studied with Haydn and Salieri
- 8. Ludwig van Beethoven Received support from aristocracy and concert- going public – annuity Difficult personality Napoleonic – 5ft 4 inches tall Ill health (lead poisoning) Deafness (started in his late 20’s) Was extremely famous when he died Transitional figure from Classical to Romantic
- 9. Listening Example Title: Pathetique Sonata (C minor), I Composer: Beethoven Genre: Sonata
- 10. Notes on Sonata in C minor Slow introduction precedes sonata form Agitated ascending melody (theme 1) Bass/treble call and response (theme 2) Extreme emotional contrasts
- 11. The Symphonies of Beethoven Beethoven’s symphonies much more epic in scale than Haydn and Mozart Beethoven’s 9 vs. Haydn’s 104 Six of the nine are from his heroic period Beethoven introduces new instruments Trombones, contrabassoon, voice
- 12. Listening Example Title: Symphony No. 5 in C minor Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven Genre: Symphony
- 13. Notes on Symphony No. 5 Best known of all symphonies Recurring “short-short-short-long” theme Note emotional drama in the music The beginnings of Romanticism
- 14. Notes on Symphony No. 5 First mvmt. Sonata Allegro form (3 themes) 1st theme is famous (s-s-s-l) Fast tempo (Allegro con brio) Duple meter
- 15. Notes on Symphony No. 5 Second mvmt. Theme and variations form (2 themes) 2nd theme features s-s-s-l Slower tempo (Andante con moto) Triple meter (unusual for 2nd mvmt.)
- 16. Notes on Symphony No. 5 Third mvmt. Scherzo and Trio form (ABA) Each dance features a theme Scherzo is a rocket theme Scherzo is followed by s-s-s-l Trio is active and fugal Very active low strings (trio) Fast tempo (Allegro – unusual for 3rd mvmt.) Triple meter Transitions into 4th mvmt. without break
- 17. Notes on Symphony No. 5 Fourth mvmt. Sonata Allegro form (4 themes) 1st theme is very triumphant 2nd theme was paraphrased in Superman 4th theme features s-s-s-l Fast tempo (Allegro) Quadruple meter Extended coda solidifies C major Opening key was C minor (triumph)