Development of Orchestra Concert Music in the Classical Period - Essay Example

? Development of Orchestra Concert Music in the ical Period Introduction Music is one of the aspects that exist in most cultural groups in the world. All tribal groups all over the world including the marginalized have their own forms of music. Since music is a cultural aspect, it means that even groups of people in ancient times had their forms of music just as the current tribal groups have. Music that existed in ancient days differs from the current due to developments and advances in culture. These developments occur under the influence of other cultural aspects like technology, economic advances, and social organization, among others. The purpose music plays in a culture vary according to the period and region within which it is played. The various centuries in history have had different developments in the forms of music. The essay that follows discusses the development of orchestra revolutionized concert music in Northern and Central Europe during the Classical period. European experienced a myriad of changes in its political, social, and economic organization. Different periods in European history came with different advances in the three cultural aspects. Development of music in the classical period is a result of developments in the periods preceding it. Each period had music of its own kind, which differed from the other in terms of composition, instruments and textual input. These periods included the medieval period, renaissance period, and the baroque period, which gave way for the classical period (Estrella, 2013). In order to understand the development of orchestra revolutionized concert music during the classical era, there is a need to consider music in the Baroque period. This is because classical period music advanced from music in the Baroque period. The transition to classical period music comes from a musical style called Rococo in the Baroque period. The style is evident mostly in keyboard and orchestral music, which is characterized as homogeneous with a light texture, melodic, and with elaborate ornaments. This style in France means elegant while in Germany it presents a sensitive style (Hinson, 2003). Composers in this style included C.P.E. Bach between 1714 and 1788, and Jonathan Christian Bach between 1735 and 1782. However, this style changed after doubts on its depth and use of decorations in the eighteenth century, changes which led to the development of the Classical style. Music in the classical period derives its name from imitation of Greece and Roman art classical artistic and literary heritage. In periods preceding the classic period, music was played entirely for church functions and for those in power (Van, 2012). Composers or performers would only present their music under the employ of a person in power because it was an expensive undertaking that was not very common. The classical period bore the name of enlightenment period, which made people understand the human reasoning power in overcoming problems. During the enlightenment period, people composers understood that they could use their music to entertain themselves as they gain instead of only performing to those in power. The enlightenment brought conflict between old and new ideas of governance in the society. Consequently, these changes in the society affected the writing of music in those societies. This period contributed much to the development of orchestral music in Northern and Central Europe, since it is during this period that music got performed in public concerts. Development of Music in classical period Several factors led to the development of music in this period. First, economic changes during the period affected the music development, composition, and its dissemination (Van, 2012). Secondly, there were changes in the lives and occupations of the composers, which affected the social structures that provided employment in previous times. Thirdly, there is the traditional or novelty taste of the music that drives the music to its development and expansion. Finally, development existed in the music medium with creation of new institutions for music performance, and the purpose for which music was to be used (Van, 2012). Economic Factors and changes in occupation Composers in the early days worked under employment, and were limited to duties and responsibilities. Composers would only write music for special occasions as directed by their employers (Van, 2012). For example, Haydn composed symphonies and operas to entertain his employer, masses in the local church on special commissions. However, in the classical period, there were no restrictions on composers’ choice of occupations, and the developers gave them freedom to choose any employer without difficulties. Church music during this period required establishments that saw composers look for employment in the churches even when they are not clergy members (Van, 2012). Musical Styles and taste The revolutionized concert music in Europe made a great difference from the music that came before and after it. The stylistic devices and music taste brought out in classical music differ from those used in other periods. These styles include music texture, tempo, rhythm, harmony and melodic arrangements among others. The previous Baroque music period had complex and melodically ornate, but composers of the classical period changed the style to a simpler style (Hinson, 2012). One characteristic of classical music is homophony, which comprises of music that has distinct melody and accompaniment. Choral music in classical era brought a lighter texture although it had strong rhythm and drive. This light texture is attributed to the slow movement in harmony and less frequent change of chords as opposed to music in the Baroque period (Colson, 2012). The less frequency in change of chords gave classical music a graceful and light phrasing. Development in the instruments played ensured there was no obstruction on the music or high decorations from the player. This gave any orchestral concert music expression of the musical content to the audience. Musical development also saw the transition from use of violin to keyboard to achieve the slow harmonious mood of classical music (Hinson, 2003). This involved the composition for solo keyboard where the music style transforms due to the introduction of the piano to replace the harp (Hinson, 2003). The idea of using Sonata in classical music was to bring a wide range of contrasting emotions in one piece, though composers used it for experimentation. Developments in this period also brought a difference between the ornaments used during the Baroque period and the classic period (Hinson, 2003). Performance of orchestral music concert also considered objectively. Music is one of the medium through which people express their emotions. Performers of orchestra revolutionized music concert in Europe carefully controlled emotions using dynamics and movements or sections that showed different expressions in a composition. Developments in classical period music brought difference from music in Baroque period through the way the compositions express emotions in the music (Colson, 2012). Classical period music replaced the dynamics and emotional expressions in use during the Baroque period by use of crescendos and decrescendos to effectively bring a composition’s emotions. Advances in instrumental forms of music As opposed to the existence of many composers in preceding periods, three composers namely, Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809), and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) dominated the classical period. These three composers brought developments in the styles used especially in the instrumental forms. These advances included the symphony, sonata, instrumental chamber music, and the concerto (Van, 2012). The advances also brought difference between church and secular music where church music, which dealt mostly with choral music differed from instrumental music in that the effect of stylistic innovations could be more instrumental than in choral music. However, during the classical period, choral and instrumental music fused with each accompanying the other to bring a good musical effect (Colson, 2012). For example, classical masses sections use sonata allegro form normally used in symphony and sonata. Likewise, Beethoven incorporated choral music sections in his instrumental music like the Ninth Symphony (Hinson, 2003). The different choral music forms existing in the Classical period Choral music in the classical period comprised of different forms used by the three composers. These forms included Mass, Missa Brevis, Missa Solemnis, Oratorio, Requiem, Vespers, and Choral Symphony. All of the three composers considered the mass an important form in their work. Masses in the classical period involved choir, soloists and orchestra, which used the organizational principles obtained fro instrumental music. Missa Solemnis is an advancement of choral music by Beethoven in his D major mass (Hinson, 2003). It is in other words an extended and more elaborate musical treatment of the mass. Oratorio is a continuation from the Baroque period commonly used by Haydn while Requiem is also a continuation from Renaissance and Baroque periods done by Mozart. Vespers is a work by Mozart written for the orchestra, the choir and for a quartet of soloists. A choral symphony is a composition for both the orchestra and choir. An example is Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony (Van, 2012). Composers and their music forms Opposed to composers in previous periods, the classical period brought different advances in music, which saw the three classical period composers specialize in different music forms, though they shared some of them. Since his young age, Haydn dealt mostly with choral music, though still composed symphonies. His experience in symphonies saw him hired by Johann Peter Salomon in London to compose and conduct symphonies between 1791 and 1792 (Hinson, 2003). After his return from London, Haydn composed choral music, which included twelve masses, and three oratorios, among others. At a very tender age, Mozart could play a number of instruments like the violin, compose and perform on stage. Developments in music forms during the classical period made Mozart travel teaching, performing in concerts, and at the same time composing. Mozart used to compose requiems as he died when composing one after his health started failing in 1791. Beethoven primarily concentrated on composition of instrumental music. He performed as a pianist and a composer in his first performance in Vienna in 1795 (Hinson, 2003). However, he also composed choral music like the Missa Solemins, his D Major Mass, which remains a monument of Western music (Hinson, 2003). His choral music comprised of two masses, two symphonies, and an oratorio, among others. Developments in orchestra revolutionized concert music in Europe like Beethoven’s instrumental music in symphonies, piano, and string quartet paved way to transition into a romantic music period (Hinson, 2003). All the composers in this period had abilities in composing and performing the different forms of music compared to composers in the previous periods. The enlightenment period contributed to the advancement in the music industry, which gave birth to classical music. Conclusion Music history derives its base from various aspects of culture. The changes in cultural, economic and political development in Europe made a great impact in the music industry. Classical period is one of the most important periods in the history of music, which led to development in orchestra concert music in Europe. The period saw development in those who composed and performed the songs through the social and political changes that occurred in Europe (Van, 2012). These changes brought a rapid growth and change in the music fraternity since they gave the chance for explosive creativities after performers got freedom to perform on their stage as opposed to earlier periods when they only performed for their employers. Although classical music is a transition from previous music, it is the only period that has had a great impact on the development of orchestra concert music in Northern and Central Europe. Bibliography Colson, J. F. (2012). Conducting and rehearsing the instrumental music ensemble: Scenarios, priorities, strategies, essentials, and repertoire. Lanham, Md: Scarecrow Press. Estrella, E. (2013). Music of the Classical Period. Retrieved on November 21, 2013, from http://musiced.about.com/od/historyofmusic/a/classicalmusic.htm Hinson, M. (2003). Anthology of Classical piano music: Intermediate to early advanced works by 27 composers. Van Nuys, CA: Alfred. Van, B. B. H. (2012). Historical dictionary of music of the classical period. 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