Classical period

The classical period began during 1750 and lasted until 1810. The classical symphony: The classical symphony was known for its rigid structure harmonic relationships.


 A symphony was split into 3 movements as within a symphony rules were made and had to be stuck to which is what gives us this rigid structure. It is a large orchestral piece.
Movement 1: was written in a sonata allegro form.
Movement 2: was slower and played una different key with a stronger melody line.
Movement 3: was much livelier played in a major key, more light hearted and written in rondo form. Was stylistically ligher than other movements to keep listeners interest.

 Concerto: a piece of music for a solo instrument and orchestra. Diatonic music - music that only uses notes of the key (no clashy sounds).

Even phrases - regular chunks of music, as if separated by commas.

Ground bass- a bass part that recurs over and over whilst the melody voice over it change and vary continuously. It was developed in England in the 16th century and was used extensively in the baroque period. Bass line never Changes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOA-2hl1Vbc


Continuo- the part that is played by a harpsichord, usually a bass line and a harmony part in one.

 Figured bass- this is a bass line with a figured bass telling the player where to harmonise with figures.

 Concerto Grosso- of music developed in the 18th century involving a small group of instruments and a large group of instruments. these two groups are usually contrasted or sometimes played together.A concerto grosso has several parts that differ in speed and character. There are usually three movements; the first is fast, the second is slow, and the last is fast.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kaNnZFosm8

String Quartet- a string quartet is a chamber music ensemble that has part of it the first and second violins, a viola and a cello. They became popular in the late 1700's.

Baroque music

Baroque period: The Baroque period used exaggerated dance motions and was started in 1600 till 1750, it originated from Rome in Italy then spread through Europe. It was encouraged by the Roman Catholic Church, the music has lots of extras and is described by some as 'frilly'. There were many different forms of Baroque music including sonata, cantata and oratorio these types flourished. Opera was born because of experimentation of the Florentine Camerata, who created the monody, who attempted to recreate the theatrical arts of the Ancient Greeks. Instruments: The baroque period saw the developments of the violin family Which occurred at the End of the 1600. Keyboard instruments were used in basso continuo Parts and solos they were part of a huge portion of The sound at the time. Key facts: Ornamentation- frilly with added notes a flourishing notes. Most important instrument of the period was the harpsichord - Has a unique and distinctive sound as inside It has a plucking motion on the strings. Many stringed instruments, violins,violas and cello. Organ Flutes Trumpets, horns. Smaller groups of instruments - CHAMBER MUSIC. The baroque period was the first time that opera was created. This period was referred to as the broth of Opera. Opera (mixture of singing, instrumental music and drama- its a play that is sung.