Classical

• Features of Classical concertos:

  • diatonic harmony
  • wide dynamic range
  • due to development of all instruments
  • mainly stringed instruments
  • balanced phrases
  • ornamentation
  • Alberti bass
• Instruments in sections:

  • strings
  • violin
  • viola
  • cello
  • double bass
  • woodwind
  • flute
  • oboe
  • bassoon
  • clarinet
  • brass
  • trumpet
  • french horn
  • percussion
  • timpani
  • keyboard
  • piano: replaces harpsichord
• Composers:

  • Mozart
  • Haydn
• Sections of a Classical concerto:

  • have 3 movements
  • usually a cadenza in the final movement
  • cadenza - an unaccompanied moment where the soloist performs alone virtuosically
• Common features of a cadenza:

  • virtuosic
  • fast runs
  • scalic
  • use of ornamentation
  • wide pitch range
  • crescendos and diminuendos
• Texture:

  • usually homophonic
  • could have polyphony, but not as common compared to Baroque era