Haydn
String Quartet op.70 no.3 “Emperor” (2nd Movement)
Haydn
Symphony no.88 in G Major (4th Movement)
Mozart
The Marriage of Figaro: Se Vuol Ballare
Beethoven
Symphony no.5 in C Minor (3rd Movement)
Schubert
Erlkonig
Berlioz
Symphonie Fantastique: Dream of a Witches Sabbath
Chopin
Nocturne in D Flat Major op.27 no.2
Schumann
Piano Trio in G Minor (4th Movement)
Mussorgsky
Pictures at an Exhibition: Promenade
Verdi
La Traviata: Sempre Libera
Wagner
Twilight of the Gods: ACT III – Brunnhilde’s Immolation
Tchaikovsky
Swan Lake: Theme
Name and explain 3 characteristics/developments in music of the Classical Period
1. Inspired by ideals of ancient Greece and Rome including logic, symmetry, seemingly simple form and content.
2. Piano replaces the harpsichord because of the capability of control
3. Emergence of musical forms with more definition
Define symphony
large work for orchestra in 3-4 movements.
Define concerto
a composition for a featured solo instrument accompanied by orchestra.
Define chamber music
music for a small group of performers, usually 2-9, each with their own part.
Define sonata
music written for a solo instrument.
Define opera buffa
Italian comic opera; features “everyday” characters & situations, often moderate in length.
Name the 3 sections of a sonata
1. Exposition
2. Development
3. Recapitulation
What is the prime feature of the middle section of the sonata?
Modulation; the development will usually end in the home key.
How many symphonies did Haydn write?
104
How many symphonies did Mozart write?
41
How many symphonies did Beethoven write?
9
Name 2 of Mozart’s famous operas
1. The Magic Flute
2. Don Giovanni
BIOGRAPHY: Mozart
(1756-1791) – Traveled Europe with his sister and father and performed music; Became famous because he was a prodigy and began composing music at the age of 5; Was strongly influenced by J.S. Bach’s son, J.C. Bach; Made money by performing all over Europe; Composed symphonies, piano concertos and operas; Was known for being a virtuoso, a prodigy, and a genius.
Name 3 characteristics of the Romantic period
1. Focus on love in its many forms (romantic, friendship, family, ideologies, country, etc.)
2. Emergence of outstanding performers: the virtuoso
3. Literature/poetry used as inspiration for instrumental works
Define program music
Music that “illustrates” a story or narrative, usually composed for orchestra.
Define nationalism
Music that displays one’s pride in his/her country and ethnicity, often includes history/stories from their country
Define lied
a German art song performed by solo singer with piano accompaniment.
Define virtuoso
A performer with exceptional musical skill, often also has a special personality or charisma.
Define etude
A composition designed with purpose of developing the technical skill of the instrumental player. Etudes are often EXTREMELY difficult.
Define nocturne
A piece of music meant to evoke the nighttime. Mood is quiet, dreamy, romantic.
Define leitmotiv
A melody that represents a person, event, emotion, object, place, etc. throughout a musical composition
Tell me about Schubert
German; known for writing over 600 lieder; 2 famous song cycles: The Lovely Maid of the Mill and Winter Journey
How does Berlioz use idee fixe? What special melody is used in his listening piece?
Idee fixe: a recurring melody that usually recalls a person, concept, event. In “Symphonie Fantastique”, this melody represents the hero’s beloved and is heard in all of the movements; ties the story together and is used to unify the whole musical composition. The special melody used in this piece is “Day of Wrath” from Gregorian Chant – Played in lower brass instruments for an ominous quality
Tell me about Paganini
Italian; violin specialist; 2 violin concertos and 24 caprices for solo violin
Tell me about Liszt
Hungarian; piano specialist; The Transcendental Etudes, The Paganini Etudes
Tell me about Chopin
Polish; piano specialist; 19 nocturnes, 14 waltzes
Tell me about Clara Schumann
The most prominent female piano virtuoso of the 19th century. Her father was a pianist and taught her everything she knew. Robert Schumann, whom she later married, quit law school to study under her father. Despite her father’s efforts, they eventually married. She had 8 children, one who died in infancy.
Famous composer who was a nationalist
Edvard Greig – Norway; “Peer Gynt”
What is Mussorgsky’s inspiration for his composition on the listening list?
Uses the music to describe some of the paintings by his friend, the Russian artist Victor Hartmann, who had passed away at the age of 39.
Name 2 operas by Verdi
La Traviata and MacBeth
Give the full title of Wagner’s famous opera cycle and name its 4 segments
The Ring Cycle;
1. The Rhinegold
2. The Valkyrie
3. Siegfried
4. Twilight of the Gods
The Ring Cycle – Who is Alberich?
dwarf who steals gold from the Rhinemaidens
The Ring Cycle – Who is Brunnhilde?
A Valkyrie, Wotan’s favorite daughter
The Ring Cycle – Who is Fricka?
Wotan’s wife, the goddess of marriage, distressed by Wotan’s infidelities
The Ring Cycle – Who is Hunding?
Enemy of Siegmund, husband of Sieglinde
The Ring Cycle – Who is Sieglinde?
Daughter of Wotan, sister of Seigmund, mother of Siegfried
The Ring Cycle – Who is Siegmund?
Son of Wotan, brother of Sieglende, father of Siegfried
The Ring Cycle – Who is Siegfried?
Hero of the story
The Ring Cycle – Who is Valhalla?
Fortress-hall of the Gods
The Ring Cycle – Who are the Valkyries?
9 daughters of Wotan with a woman named Erda; they are warrior Goddesses who bring dead heroes up to Valhalla
The Ring Cycle – Who is Wotan?
Leader of the Gods, makes questionable decisions and has moral flaws
Name 2 ballets by Tchaikovsky?
Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker