Concert Sesasons

Emotion and instinct now were seen as sources of truth.

Objectivity, equilibrium and restraint of the Classical period gradually yielded to explosive philosophies and emotions.

General characteristics ” personalization, impulsive emotional display, baring the soul, attraction for the exotic, mysterious, enchanting, fantastic and the natural. Composed works were larger-scale in forms, ensembles and durations.

Music now allowed lavish, unrestrained harmonic and instrumental color, hot emotions and intense poetic tenderness.

This period also bred interesting performers and personalities, perhaps like today’s rock stars.

Franz Liszt, pianist and composer whose technical prowess and dynamic stage presence are legendary – it was said women swooned and even picked up his cigar butts and put them in their bosoms!

Nicolai Paganini ” violinist who strode onstage in a black cloak and played with such wizardry that it was said he was in league with the devil and that he played the violin with strings from the intestines of his late wife!

First 25 years of the classical era (1750-1775) called the Rococo. This was a period of “cooling off” from the heated complexity of the Baroque period.

music of considerable elegance, restraint, poise, and gentility. Gradually, the surface charm yielded to the greater power and vision of classical composers.

Vienna, Austria became the center of the mature classical style

As court life diminished, music was heard in a variety of new settings, in public concerts and in social and political events.

Classical characteristics – clearer, simpler forms, thinner texture, more use of a single melody supported by accompaniment (called homophonic) rather than numerous, independent parts or voices (called polyphonic) as in the Baroque period.

(1600-1750)

The Baroque, by contrast, loved colossal artistic statements

Music – exuberance, passion, sudden dynamic contrasts and harmonic and instrumental color. Music has complex, dense textures, constant rhythmic propulsion, changes of pace and more chromaticism (using notes outside the key of the piece)

Music – intended to create atmosphere and project a beautiful moment or sensory effect. New and exotic sounds employed, more flexible rhythms, melodies more serene, less goal-oriented, and harmonies were used to create sonority rather than ground us in a particular key. Often gives feeling of drifting.

One side – music offered highly controlled statements
Other side – music was totally free in expression
Experimentation in rhythm, form, melody, tuning of instruments

Traditional instruments were used but sometimes played with completely new techniques (e.g. “prepared piano”
where nails, paper clips, metal, bolts, plastic and paper were placed inside the piano on the strings to create different effects)

Electronic and computer-generated music came into prominence

non verbal communication

conductors used to be composers; would either conduct in front of group or play the piano, would play louder when ensemble was was off 

staple instrument of Mongolian 1,000 years old small-120 strings large- 160 strings

used to be made out of horse hair 

made batons famous

more precise because of tiny point 

shake hands or acknowledge each other 

sign of respect and leadership

WA Mozart

1174–year it was written at age 19

1775–premiered in Munich 

Recitative

Secco

Accompagnato

Aria

Libretto 

dialogue

dry, without the orchestra

accompanied by orchestra

air song–solo

who wrote the words of an opera song