10626 The Classical Style

Credits: 6 intermediate credits in Music

Prerequisites: none

Recommended: Introduction to Music or corresponding knowledge of music.

Authors: Ido Abravaya, Benjamin Perl, Tova Shani, Anat Sharon. The materials include a CD with recordings of the works discussed in the course.

The Classical Style in music that developed in the second half of the 18th century in Europe gave rise to some of the most important musical forms in the history of music still relevant today, among them the sonata, the symphony, the string quartet and the concerto, as well as some of the greatest works in musical literature, among them operas, symphonies and chamber music. The course surveys the stylistic origins of the Classical Style in music and the development of its major musical forms, and acquaints students with many works by Haydn and Mozart and other composers of the period.

Objectives: To acquaint students with the Classical Style in 18th century European music; to expose students to the variety of works by Haydn, Mozart and other composers of the period; to analyze musical texts of the period.

Topics: The origins of the Classical Style; The early Classical opera; From the song form to the sonata form; The chamber music of Haydn and Mozart; Mozart’s church music; Mozart and the piano concerto; Haydn’s symphonies; Mozart’s symphonies; 1791 – the last year of Mozart’s life.