Chapter 11
Prelude: Music and
the Enlightenment
Style Features of
Classical Music
Key Terms
Classical style Classical orchestra
―Natural‖ Tune
―Pleasing variety‖ Homophony
Crescendo Classical
Diminuendo counterpoint
Style Features of
Classical Music
Two central concepts—
• The ―natural‖ & ―pleasing variety‖
They can work hand in hand; they can also
pull in opposite directions
• The ―natural‖ can be too simple, even boring
• ―Pleasing variety‖ can be an invitation to an
―unnatural‖ complexity
These qualities appear in all elements of
musical technique
Result was a new expressive quality
Rhythm (1)
―Pleasing variety‖ dominates here
• Decisive move away from unvarying Baroque
rhythms
Classical music highly flexible in rhythm
• Tempo & meter constant in each movement
• But rhythms of different themes differ in
obvious & subtle ways
Real contrasts become possible
• No longer just subtle differences
• New element of surprise
Rhythm (2)
Possible rhythmic ―feels‖ include—
• Gradual increase or decrease in energy
• Sudden contrasts
• Sudden stops
• Smooth continuous motion
• Pressing forward by fits & starts
Classical rhythms differ from Baroque
• Less predictable, more interesting – more
exciting!
Dynamics
―Pleasing variety‖ dominates here
New precision in notating dynamics
• Wider dynamic range—ff, f, mf, mp, p, pp
New emphasis on gradations of volume
• No longer steady dynamics of the Baroque
• Development of crescendo & diminuendo
Demonstrated by piano’s rising popularity
• At first it was called a pianoforte (soft-loud)
• 1st keyboard instrument to produce variety of
dynamics via pressure of finger on key
Tone Color: The Orchestra (1)
―Pleasing variety‖ dominates here
Increasing attention given to tone color
• Seen in emergence of Classical orchestra
Strings still heart of Classical orchestra
• Four-part harmony the norm
• 1st & 2nd violins, violas, cellos, basses
Basses double cellos an octave below
• Similar to basic Baroque orchestra
Tone Color: The Orchestra (2)
Woodwind & brass instruments given
regular, clearly defined roles
Woodwinds added in high & low ranges
• 2 flutes, 2 oboes, (2 clarinets), 2 bassoons
• Could play melodies or strengthen strings
• Each instrument had its own distinctive color
• Provided ―pleasing variety‖
Brass added in middle range
• 2 French horns, (2 trumpets)
• Provided solid harmonic support
Tone Color: The Orchestra (3)
Percussion also used
• 2 timpani the only regularly-used percussion
• Usually played along with brass for support
• Occasionally added bass drum, cymbal, &
triangle
Orchestra became the most subtle,
versatile ―instrument‖ in Classical music
• Enormous variety possible in tone color,
rhythm, & dynamics
• Any effect possible from delicate to grand
Tone Color: The Orchestra (4)
Melody: Tunes (1)
The ―natural‖ dominates here
Preference for simple, clear tunes
• Uncomplicated, singable melodies
• Clear, memorable phrases
• Simple patterns of repetition & contrast
• Similar to melodies of popular & folk music
Many works use attractive phrases that
could easily grow into tunes
Others incorporate entire tunes
• Especially theme and variations works
Melody: Tunes (2)
Baroque melody now seemed ―unnatural‖
Classical audiences preferred clear, simple
tunes
Texture: Homophony (1)
The ―natural‖ dominates here
A single melody dominates the texture
• Easy to tell which voice to follow!
Supported by simple accompaniment
• Provides harmonic support
• Without counterpoint or melodic bass line
Permits more flexible accompaniment
• Can quickly vary patterns & moods
• Often provides ―pleasing variety‖
Texture: Homophony (2)
Continuo fell out of use
• Improvised continuo chords unpredictable;
varied greatly from one performer to the next
• Classical composers wanted more control over
specific color & spacing of chords
New simplicity in melody & texture
• But also new subtlety in rhythm, harmony, &
accompaniment
Classical Counterpoint
Homophony was the dominant texture in
Classical music
• But polyphony was not totally abandoned
Complex contrapuntal textures offered
expressive possibilities
• Ideal for creating tension & intensity
• Provided effective contrast with homophony
Contrapuntal texture a frequent feature of
sonata form development sections
Baroque vs. Classical Style (1)
Repetitive, dance- Flexible, constantly
influenced rhythms changing rhythms
Only two dynamics– Many dynamics
p and f used–from pp to ff
Terraced dynamics, Dynamic gradations,
loud or soft only e.g. crescendo
Same colors used Variety of colors
throughout used in same piece
Basic or festive Larger orchestra
orchestra regularly uses brass
& winds
Baroque vs. Classical Style (2)
Complex, ornate Clearly stated,
melodies memorable tunes
Unequal phrase- Regular phrase-
lengths lengths
Polyphonic texture Homophonic texture
Constant continuo Constantly varied
support accompaniment
Homogeneous– Heterogeneous–
single ―affect‖ variety of feelings
expressed in each expressed in a single
work piece