The Classical Period The Classical Period - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

The Classical PeriodSlide2

The Classical PeriodCommonly, all Art music is called “Classical Music,” but properly speaking, the period of Classical music took place: 1750 - 1825J. S. Bach died in 1750

Beethoven died in 1827

A

fter the Baroque period…Before the Romantic Period.Slide3

The Age of ReasonThe Classical period coincided with the 18th Century “

Enlightenment

” or “Age of Reason.”

The Enlightenment

was a cultural movement that

believed that the power of reason and the goodness of the common man could solve mankind’s problems. Intellectual leaders: Voltaire, Rousseau, MontesquieuThey believed that governments had the responsibility to ensure the quality of life and happiness for all its citizens.They strongly opposed tyranny and intolerance from the Church and state.Slide4

The Industrial RevolutionThe Classical period also coincided with the Industrial Revolution (1760-1840)The

Industrial Revolution

was a shift from direct manpower to

using machines, tools, coal and steam power to increase productivity.Changes in agriculture, manufacturing, and transportation profoundly affected the social conditions of the time by increasing the supply of food and goods to the middle class and raising their standard of living.

This

empowered the middle class to participate more in the economy and social/political scene.Slide5

Age of RevolutionsWith new ideas of the rights of man and self-government, the “old regimes” were overthrown

in favor of new

democratic governments

that favored social justice and

the pursuit of happiness for all.

American

Revolution 1776French Revolution 1789-99Napoleonic Wars 1799-1815Les Misèrables:

How do you remove the social injustices that keep whole classes of people poor,ignorant, and miserable?Slide6

Changes in MusicThe 18th century focus on reason and the common man profoundly changed music. The stylized and emotionally-charged Baroque music became the

calmer, simpler, restrained Classical music.

Music

, like all of the arts, tried to emulate the art of ancient Greece and Rome in its balanced structure, clarity, and universality.

The

result was

music that anyone could understand and appreciate, that promoted calm and rational thought.Slide7

Shift in Musical TexturesThe complex counterpoint and polyphony of the Baroque was abandoned for simpler

homophony: just one melody and accompaniment.

Review:

Polyphony: Multiple simultaneous melodies weaving together in counterpoint.Homophony: One melody part with the rest playing background accompaniment parts.

Polyphony

HomophonySlide8

Changes in ExpressionDuring this time, more refined and controlled emotions were valued in music.Songs no longer

had to be locked

into

only one powerful “affect,”

but were allowed to be subtle and change during the course of a song.

Gradual shifts in dynamics and tempo:

Crescendo (cresc.) or : gradually get louderDiminuendo (dim.) or : gradually get softer

Accelerando (accel.): gradually get fasterRitardando (rit.): gradually get slower.Slide9

Music for the MassesMusic was still being written for church and nobility, but more and more the rising middle class became new consumers. Composers began to frequently give public concerts, produce

operas and publish music

geared towards the new middle class.Slide10

Classical ComposersPopular early Classical composers included Gluck, Boccherini, and three of Bach’s sons: C.P.E Bach., W.F Bach, J.C. Bach (the London Bach).

Later Classical powerhouses were:

Franz Joseph HaydnWolfgang Amadeus

Mozart

Ludwig van

BeethovenFranz SchubertEach of these four influential

composers lived in Vienna, Austria, which became the new center of Classical music in the world.