Music. Learn, enjoy, appreciate.

18th century composers believed that music should be understood and appreciated by all, regardless of class or education. It's little wonder then that the music of this period, composed by such greats as Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven, is so popular. This day examines the music of the classical period, its structures and forms, its historical and social context, and its principal composers.

This course is the second of a series of four one-day music courses that will guide you through the main periods of classical music history. Over four Saturdays throughout the year you we will see the progression of music from the richness of the Baroque, through the elegant simplicity of the classical period, the passion and drama of the Romantic period to the mysterious beauty of the Impressionist period.

Outcomes

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• list some of the main composers of the Classical period
• list some music from the Classical period
• describe some of the musical characteristics of the Classical period.

Content

This course covers the following topics:

• what is wonderful about music of the Classical period
• classes and classics: origins of the term ‘Classical’
• social, cultural and historical background: Europe, 1750-1820
• the art of the Classical period: we look at art and architecture of the times, and see parallel tastes in art and music
• music genres: of the Classical period: the rise of the concert tradition
• the beginnings of piano music
• Mozart’s Rondo Alla Turca
• Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven
• compositional techniques: what classical composers were trying to achieve, and how they achieved it
• Musical characteristics: what to listen for, and how to get more out of music of the Classical period
• the birth of the symphony
• Mozart’s Symphony No. 41 'Jupiter'
• classical concertos: variety and form
• Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto
• Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5
• chamber music of the Classical period: a social occasion
• Opera in the Classical period: Mozart’s genius
• Mozart’s Don Giovanni and The Marriage of Figaro
• choral music in the Classical period
• Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis
• Mozart’s Requiem
• Haydn’s Creation.

Delivery style

This course is richly illustrated with musical examples, artworks and portraits of the times, video clips, and readings from letters and historical documents. The presenter will use the piano to demonstrate musical concepts to the everyday listener. Questions will be encouraged and there will be room for discussion throughout the course.

Materials

Handouts are provided in class.