10/26/2011

Chapter 9

Chamber Music

Nature of Chamber Music

Important in Classical period

distinction between large and small groups

may be the same instrument many times over Small vocal ensembles are motets, madrigals, many per part 1st Sonata 2nd Slower ABA form/Theme and Variation 3rd Minuet 4th Rondo

One player on a part

Instrumental music

Forms same as for symphonies

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Listening to Chamber Music

Requires concentration on what happens in the music

Much more subtle no conductor Extremely difficult, requires excellent musicianship Intimate settings, chamber of a house

Players need to exhibit a sense of ensemble

Not at its best in a large auditorium

Chamber Music in the Classical Period

The social setting encouraged the creation and performance of chamber music

A byproduct of the patronage system All major composers wrote chamber music

Haydn composed music to be played on the baryton for his patron, Prince Nicholas Esterhzy * strings that vibrate sympathetically

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The Sonata

Chamber work in three or four movements for one instrument and piano or for piano alone.

Multimovement for

One instrument and piano Two instruments are equally important Piano alone

Same pattern of movements

Sonata form vs. the Sonata

Musicians = bad historians.

String Quartet

Two violins, viola, and cello Foremost chamber music group of the time Usually contains four movements

Tired of this?

1st Sonata Form 2nd Slower, likely ABA 3rd Minuet/Trio 4th - Rondo

If only three movements dont panic!!!

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Other Chamber Music Ensembles

Piano trio

Ensembles with strings and another instrument known by name of instrument (piano, violin, cello) 19th/20th Century invention

Woodwind quintet

A brass instrument (usually French Horn), oboe, clarinet, flute and bassoon. Two trumpets, French horn, trombone, tuba

Brass quintet

Mozart: Clarinet Quintet, Fourth Movement

Clarinet and string quartet http://youtu.be/yC5DwP_4Exk Theme and variations

Theme is in binary form: a a b a with each half repeated Imagine taking a photo of the Flint Hills at different times of the day, in different weather conditions, from different altitudes and at different distances. This theme is a happy melody final movement

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Mozart: Clarinet Quintet, Fourth Movement

Variations

First: Clarinet plays new melody

Strings keep harmony of the theme The clarinet can leap easily from low to high notes

Second: Violin plays different melody

Is more ornamented

Third:Viola plays different melody in minor

Mozart: Clarinet Quintet, Fourth Movement

Variations:

Fourth Clarinet and violin play fast notes in major Fifth: Strings featured in slow variation Coda: Quintet energetically plays the a part of theme

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The Piano Sonata

A chamber work in three or four movements for one instrument and piano or for piano alone.

Multi-movement for

One instrument and piano Two instruments are equally important OR for Piano alone

Same pattern of movements (usually 3)

Can you guess?

The Piano

Frame becomes stronger

Greater tension in the strings is a more powerful sound Greater range of dynamics

Range of pitches extended

88 keys is the standard

Grand piano and upright piano

Grand is the instrument of choice for piano concertos and recitals Grand sounds more powerful with a deeper sound

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Mozarts Piano Sonata No. 11

One four sonatas Mozart composed in summer 1778 http://youtu.be/Rgq3OTSRVBc

First movement is in sonata form Second movement contains a minuet and trio Third movement is in rondo form

alla Turca any music that sounded even slightly Middle Eastern was referred to as Turkish

Beethoven: Waldstein Sonata, First Movement

Many revisions http://youtu.be/BJ5QKjmkinU In sonata form First theme

Not melodious Low repeated notes Begins softly, and then builds Two motives in theme Well-suited for piano

The wide range and heavy re-articulation would not suit other instruments or singers

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Beethoven: Waldstein Sonata, First Movement

Transition uses contrary motion

Instead of the fast-moving scales in early Classical, Beethoven outlines chords and then sends the hands outwards

Second theme

In key not related to key of first theme

Important because it shows Beethoven is not adhering to Mozarts/Haydns conventions

Consists of chords and is smooth

Codetta theme also outlines notes of chords

Beethoven: Waldstein Sonata, First Movement

Development

Extensive use of the motives from the first theme Use of triplet figures

Three pulses for one beat

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Beethoven: Waldstein Sonata, First Movement

Recapitulation

Begins with exact repeat of exposition Interlude placed between appearances of first theme Second appearance has different accompaniment Second theme in minor and then major

Previously they were always in the same key Beethoven is sneaky!

Beethoven: Waldstein Sonata, First Movement

Coda

Longest section of the first movement Begins in minor but soon appears in major

Motives from first theme interspersed Second theme also used

Closes with vigorous version of first theme and short chords