Describe the unique stylistic traits of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven in their compositions. How are these traits representative of their times and of their unique goals and talents? Give an example of a piece from each composer take reference from powerpoint and discuss how these pieces demonstrate these stylistic traits. Do not just list the pieces but rather explain how they demonstrate your point.
Classical Era – Lecture #3 Chap. 23 – Classical music in the late 18th century Chap. 24 – revolution and change
MUSI 1307 – Music Literature
In this Lecture, we will cover:
Life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Music of Mozart
Life of Ludwig van Beethoven
Music of Beethoven
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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
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Salzburg, Austria
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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Born in Salzburg, Austria
Celebrated child prodigy
Started playing piano at 3 and composing at 5
Father = Leopold Mozart (1719-1787) violinist, composer
Wrote book about playing the violin
Sister = Maria Anna (“Nannerl”)
Mozart’s home in Salzburg
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Mozart family tours
1762-1773 – Mozart family on tour around Europe
Played concerts for many royal families and aristocrats
3 years at a time
Learned about many styles from these tours
In Paris, influenced by Johann Schobert – harpsichord sound like orchestra
In London, met JC Bach – melodies sound like Italian opera in instrumental works
In Vienna, learned about serenades, string quartets and symphonies
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Adulthood for Wolfgang
Job working for the Archbishop of Salzburg but dissatisfied
Freelancer in Vienna
Married Constance Weber
6 kids, only 2 survived
In Vienna, composing, teaching, performing, organizing concerts & publishing. Had spending problems
1784 – Mozart met Haydn. Dedicated compositions to each other
Died at 35. Composed over 600 pieces.
For comparison, Haydn lived to 77 & wrote over 750 works
In 1862, Cataloguer Ludwig von Köchel (K. number)
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Mozart’s Piano Works
Mozart wrote 19 sonatas, fantasias, variations, rondos and duets
Sonata in F Major shows his style in the Vienna period. Written in 1781-1783, published in 1784
LISTENING #1 – Mozart Sonata in F Major, K. 332
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Mozart’s Chamber Works
Instrument equality in ensembles
Violin music – 36 sonatas, 2 variations,
String duos and trios, 26 string quartets, string quintets, piano trio
Flute quartets, horn quintets, clarinet quintets
Serenades, divertimentos = lighthearted music for garden parties, outdoor performances, wedding, parties, background music
Mozart made them into bigger more serious pieces
Most famous serenade is the “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” (A little Night music)
LISTENING #2 – Mozart Serenade No. 13, K. 525 (1787) “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”
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Mozart’s Orchestral Works – Concertos
Best known for his 17 piano concertos
1st mvt – elements of ritornello & sonata form
2nd mvt – like lyrical aria
Last mvt – usually rondo or sonata rondo form
Always a balance between soloist & orchestra
Listen: Mozart Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467
Mozart also wrote concertos for: violin, horn, bassoon, oboe, clarinet
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Mozart’s Orchestral works – Symphonies
41 symphonies
Early ones were mostly 3 mvts, intended for open concerts and theatrical events. Later ones were in 4 mvts.
LISTENING #3 – Mozart Symphony No. 41 in C Major, K. 551, “Jupiter”
Nickname came from someone else for marketing purposes
Listen to 1st & 4th mvt (5 voice fugue at end)
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Mozart’s Vocal works – Opera
Mozart’s favorite genre – 22 operas
He wrote 3 operas with librettist, Lorenzo Da Ponte
Don Giovanni – combines opera seria and comic opera with characters from different classes.
Don Giovanni – nobleman, womanizer
Leporello – Don Giovanni’s servant (opera buffa)
Donna Anna (opera seria)
Commendatore – Donna Anna’s father
LISTEN to opening scene – youtube
LISTEN to another scene when DG seduces Zerlina not to get married “La ci darem la mano”
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The Magic Flute – Mozart’s last opera
Damsel in distress and prince who rescues her
Birdcatcher – Papageno – LISTEN: Papageno aria
Young lovers – Tamino and Pamina
Evil Priest – Sarastro
The Queen
The Queen of the Night Aria – queen in rage, demanding daughter, Pamina, to assassinate her rival, Sarastro. Written for coloratura soprano (very high range)
LISTENING #4 – Mozart: Queen of the Night aria from The Magic Flute, K. 620
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Mozart’s Vocal Works – Sacred
Masses were written in modern symphonic-operatic styles, alternating between chorus and soloist.
Mozart wrote 18 masses and many other sacred pieces
Most notable is the Requiem
Lacrimosa (means “Weaping”) – LISTEN
Dies Irae (means “Day of Wrath” from 1200 Medieval poem) – LISTEN
Sanctus – performed at St. Stephen’s Cathedral at 200th anniversary of Mozart’s death (1991) – LISTEN
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Revolution and Change
Late 18th and early 19th century
Political and economic revolution
Progress in technology, society, arts
Similar to Beethoven’s story
French Revolution – inspired by Enlightenment
Napoleon Bonaparte – leader of Republic
French government founded Paris Conservatory
Industrial Revolution
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Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
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Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Born in Bonn, Germany
Learned piano and violin from father
Career is divided into 3 periods:
First period: 1770-1802 – mastery of musical language and genre
Second period: 1803-1814 – achieved new level of drama & expression
Third period: 1815-1827 – music becomes introspective and difficult
Beethoven’s birthplace home in Bonn. Now it is a museum
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First period: 1770-1802
Piano sonatas – often used contrasts of style for form and expressive range. Use of frequent octaves, thick textures, abrupt changes
“Pathétique” Sonata Op. 13 – dramatic, fantasia-like introduction
LISTENING #5 – Beethoven Sonata in C Minor, Op. 13, “Pathétique”
1st string quartets (Op. 18) were published in 1800
1st symphony in CM (1800) use Haydn and Mozart as model
Violin Sonatas – 1801, wrote “Spring” Sonata
LISTEN – Beethoven Violin Sonata, Op. 24, “Spring”
Young Beethoven
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Second period: 1803-1814
1802 – Hearing loss permanent
Writes Heiligenstadt Testament
New ambitious style
Strong reputation
Eroica Symphony (1803-4) – heroism
LISTENING #6 – Beethoven “Eroica” Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major, Op. 55
Fidelio (opera) – French Revolution inspiration
Chamber music: 5 string quartets, 3 piano trios, 2 violin sonatas and a cello sonata
Beethoven’s house in Heiligenstadt
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5 Piano Concertos – early ones similar to Mozart’s style
No. 5 – expands range and dimensions. Starts with cadenza – LISTEN
Symphony No. 5 (1807-9) – struggle between CM and cm – LISTEN
Symphony No. 6, “Pastorale”
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Third period: 1815-1827
Works becoming more introspective and concentrated with extremes
Contrasts of style, figuration, character, meter, tempo
Blurred division between phrases and mvts
Song cycle
Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 31 in A-flat Major, Op. 110
LISTEN – to first mvt and last mvt
Symphony No. 9 – combined tradition and innovation
LISTENING #7 – Beethoven Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125
Portrait of Beethoven in 1815
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Beethoven’s death
Beethoven was sick many times
Mar. 26, 1827, Beethoven dies.
20,000 people attend his funeral
Beethoven Monument in Vienna on 1845 (75th anniversary of birth)
Beethoven Lives Upstairs – link
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