Exam 2

Question 1

first movement

Answer 1

written in sonata form, in a fast tempo (allegro), and in the home key of the overall piece

Question 2

second movement

Answer 2

usually written in a slow tempo, in another key, and in one of a variety of forms such as theme and variations, compound ternary form, rondo, or sonata

Question 3

third movement

Answer 3

usually consists of three sections. First you hear the minuet or scherzo itself. Then comes a contrasting section (often for a smaller group of instruments) called a trio. Finally, the minuet or scherzo section comes back again

Question 4

fourth movement

Answer 4

(the finale) is almost always fast and exciting

Question 5

rondo

Answer 5

a musical form that contains a principal theme which alternates with one or more contrasting themes, generally called “episodes”

Question 6

chamber music

Answer 6

instrumental music played by a small ensemble, with one player to a part, the most important form being the string quartet which developed in the 18th century

Question 7

Joseph Haydn

Answer 7

1732-1809 was an Austrian composer who was one of the most important figures in the development of the Classical style

Question 8

rounded binary

Answer 8

the material at the beginning of the first section returns, often shortened, after a contrasting phrase at the beginning of the second section

Question 9

symphony

Answer 9

an orchestra’s large-scale musical composition, usually requiring 50-80 instruments

Question 10

18th Century Orchestra

Answer 10

came to consist of strings (first and second violins, violas, violoncellos, and double basses), two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, two or four horns, two trumpets, and two timpani.

Question 11

Paris Symphonies

Answer 11

group of six symphonies written by Joseph Haydn commissioned by the Count D’Ogny, Grandmaster of the Masonic Loge Olympique

Question 12

London Symphonies

Answer 12

group of twelve symphonies composed by Joseph Haydn between 1791 and 1795

Question 13

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Answer 13

(1756-1791) was one of the most influential, popular and prolific composers of the classical period

Question 14

divertimento

Answer 14

a light and entertaining composition, typically one in the form of a suite for chamber orchestra

Question 15

serenade

Answer 15

a cantata with a pastoral subject, a simple form of suite for orchestra or wind band

Question 16

Sonata-allegro form

Answer 16

a type of composition in three sections (exposition, development, and recapitulation) in which two themes or subjects are explored according to set key relationships. It forms the basis for much classical music, including the sonata, symphony, and concerto

Question 17

exposition

Answer 17

the part of a movement, especially in sonata form, in which the principal themes are first presented

Question 18

recapitulation

Answer 18

a part of a movement (especially one in sonata form) in which themes from the exposition are restated

Question 19

minuet and trio

Answer 19

a style of music with two contrasting musical themes, written in triple time, usually with an emphasis on the first beat. (minuet trio minuet) = ternary ABA

Question 20

Classical concerto

Answer 20

composition usually composed in three parts or movements, in which (usually) one solo instrument (for instance, a piano, violin, cello or flute) is accompanied by an orchestra or concert band

Question 21

first movement concerto form

Answer 21

usually set at a moderate to fast tempo. It is also usually the longest movement and uses a variant of the sonata form

Question 22

Ludwig van Beethoven

Answer 22

1770-1827 German composer and pianist, goes deaf

Question 23

Beethoven’s 1st Period (to 1802)

Answer 23

Beethoven uses the language of Viennese classicism established by earlier composers, above all Haydn and Mozart. Here the emphasis is on clarity, restraint, and balance. In this period Beethoven also writes many smaller pieces for ready public consumption — dances, variations on familiar tunes, etc.

Question 24

Beethoven’s 2nd Period (1802-1812)

Answer 24

(Also his “heroic” period) 10 astoundingly productive years come most of the pieces that audiences think of as “the famous Beethoven,” such as the Fifth Symphony, the Violin Concerto, and the opera “Fidelio.” Going beyond the conventions of classicism and writing with a bolder, more individual tone. To many listeners, pieces from this period, such as the Fifth, seem to go beyond the simply musical, to grapple with human themes such as struggle, assertion, or celebration. Beethoven develops his technique of taking a simple theme, and working out its implications for maximum effect. This period also sees Beethoven working out his own approach to the symphony — which will exert immense influence on later composers.

Question 25

Beethoven’s 3rd Period (1812-1827)

Answer 25

Many of Beethoven’s works are now for smaller forces, especially string quartet and solo piano. There are no more concertos, and fewer symphonies. The earlier urgency gives way to moods that have been described by words such as “interior,” “contemplative” and “visionary.”
Sometimes pieces are no longer organized by standard designs (such as a three-movement sonata), but by some freer plan — without any loss of musical depth. In fact, these final works are often called the most challenging that Beethoven wrote, and the greatest.

Question 26

Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony

Answer 26

DUN DUN DUN DUN! The Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67, also known as the Fate Symphony, is a symphony composed by Ludwig van Beethoven between 1804 and 1808

Question 27

Beethoven’s Symphony No.3, the “Eroica”

Answer 27

The Symphony No. 3 in E♭ major, Op. 55, is a symphony in four movements by Ludwig van Beethoven. One of Beethoven’s most celebrated works, the Eroica symphony is a large-scale composition that marked the beginning of the composer’s innovative “middle period”