Unit 4 Study Guide Music Appreciation
Classical
Dates: 1750-1820
1. What was going historically during this era? What was life like?
2. What is the Enlightenment? A movement led by French intellectuals who advocated reasons the universal source of knowledge and truth.
3. What was the preferred texture of classical composers? Homophony
4. What is absolute music? Instrumental music based on abstract principles of music theory and form.
5. What are some characteristics of rhythm in Classical music? Very define and regular.
6. What are some characteristics of melody in Classical music? Short and clearly defined musical phrases with two or more contrasting themes.
7. How do classic composers handle dynamic changes? It was dramatic, and they did not let themselves be held back by terraced dynamics.
8. How is the piano different from the harpsichord? When was the piano invented? When did the piano become more popular than the harpsichord?
9. Was the basso continuo still used in classical music? It was gradually abandoned.
10. What was the size of a classical orchestra? What instruments were usually present? Classical orchestras were typically large, but came in all sizes. Within them were violins, violas, cellos, double basses, flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, horns, trumpets, kettledrums, and a harpsichord or piano.
11. Did classical composers treat all instruments alike or did they exploit the individual tone colors of the instruments? They exploited the individual tone colors of instruments.
12. What affect did the growing middle class have on music? The middle class had a huge impact on classical music. They wanted music to be available in their homes as well as easy enough for their children to take lessons to learn it.
13. What city was the musical center of Europe? Vienna. Austria.
14. What are the complaints with opera seria (Baroque opera) which lead to the development of comic opera? Opera seria was getting too excessive with their costumes and becoming to serious. The people
Dates: 1750-1820
1. What was going historically during this era? What was life like?
2. What is the Enlightenment? A movement led by French intellectuals who advocated reasons the universal source of knowledge and truth.
3. What was the preferred texture of classical composers? Homophony
4. What is absolute music? Instrumental music based on abstract principles of music theory and form.
5. What are some characteristics of rhythm in Classical music? Very define and regular.
6. What are some characteristics of melody in Classical music? Short and clearly defined musical phrases with two or more contrasting themes.
7. How do classic composers handle dynamic changes? It was dramatic, and they did not let themselves be held back by terraced dynamics.
8. How is the piano different from the harpsichord? When was the piano invented? When did the piano become more popular than the harpsichord?
9. Was the basso continuo still used in classical music? It was gradually abandoned.
10. What was the size of a classical orchestra? What instruments were usually present? Classical orchestras were typically large, but came in all sizes. Within them were violins, violas, cellos, double basses, flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, horns, trumpets, kettledrums, and a harpsichord or piano.
11. Did classical composers treat all instruments alike or did they exploit the individual tone colors of the instruments? They exploited the individual tone colors of instruments.
12. What affect did the growing middle class have on music? The middle class had a huge impact on classical music. They wanted music to be available in their homes as well as easy enough for their children to take lessons to learn it.
13. What city was the musical center of Europe? Vienna. Austria.
14. What are the complaints with opera seria (Baroque opera) which lead to the development of comic opera? Opera seria was getting too excessive with their costumes and becoming to serious. The people