Development Of The Symphony Flashcards
1750s Orchestra
- No trombone or tuba
- No clarinet
- No set number of instruments
- Still had a basso continuo part filled in for others
- Doubling
- Brass instruments were crooked
Early Classical (1750-1780)
- Harpsichord
- Simple textures
- Violins got the melody
- Cadences defined by brass
- Periodic (balanced) phrasing
- Short works
- Modulations to related keys
Late Classical (1780-1810)
- No basso continuo part
- Standardised orchestra
- Clarinets used occasionally
- Crooked brass
- Mainly homophonic with periodic phrasing
- More woodwind solos and antiphonal textures
- Longer symphonies with modulations to unrelated keys
What were the inspirations for symphonies?
The Italian operas overture had a fast-slow-fast structure copied by symphony composers,
The French opera overtures had a slower start which became the introduction to the symphony
What were the first symphonies like?
They only had three movements, they had a fast-slow-fast structure, they were much shorter (10-20 minutes), they were written for a smaller orchestra
What were early symphonies sometimes called?
Sinfonia a8
Why were early symphonies called sinfonia a8?
They usually had strings (cello and bass shared a line), 4 woodwind instruments and a basso continuo part in them
What would the third movement of early symphonies be?
A minuet, a gigue or another popular dance
What technical developments did Johann Stamitz bring to the orchestra?
The Mannheim sigh, the Mannheim rocket, the Mannheim birds, the Mannheim climax, the Mannheim roller and the Mannheim crescendo
How did Johann Stamitz develop the symphony?
He regularly composed 4 movement symphonies, expanded the length of sonata form, he increased the orchestras size
What are the features of style Galant?
- Lighter textures
- Clear distinction between melody and harmony
- Basic harmonies used
What is the first movement of a symphony usually like?
- Allegro
- Sonata form
- Sometimes preceded by a slow introduction
- In the tonic key
What were second movements of a symphony like?
- Andante/adagio
- In a different key to the tonic (usually still related)
- Either ABA, theme and variation, or sonata form without development
What were third movements usually like?
- Minuet and trio
- Allegreto
- In the tonic
- Trio ‘gentler’ than minuet
- In triple time (3/4)
- ABA form
What were fourth movements usually like?
- Allegro, presto or vivace
- In the tonic key
- Sonata form or rondo
- Faster and lighter than the first movement
- Folk-like themes
What are the features of sonata form?
An introduction (optional), exposition, development, recapitulation and coda
What was the structure of the exposition?
The 1st subject is in the home key, then there’s the transition which takes a part of that subject and explores it in different keys before playing the 2nd subject in the dominant
What happens in the development?
The parts of the original thematic material is developed and explored in different keys (related for early symphonies), usually ends with dominant preparation
What happens in the recapitulation?
The same material in the exposition is played again but now all in the home key
What part of sonata form is usually repeated?
The exposition
What happened in the coda?
Repeated perfect cadences
What is unusual about Stamitz Op3 No2?
Trumpets and timpanis are used
Oboes play the melody in 2nd movement
What is the structure of Stamitz Op3 No2?
- Galant Style
- Presto, and andantino, menuetto, prestissimo
How do you work out the relative major/minor of a key?
Go down 3 semitones from the tonic
