Classical MusicA GENTLE INTRODUCTION AND GUIDEELIZABETH KEANE – ORGANIST/DIRECTOR OF ST. BRENDAN’S CATHEDRAL CHOIR

What is Classical Music

The word ‘Music’ originates from the Greek word (Mousike) which means (Art) of the Muses

There is no simple definition because it is an Art form and peoples opinions come into play

It is much easier to list the QUALITIES music must have – Rhythm, Melody, Harmony for example

Classical music is just like other forms of music, except the sounds are more organised within a formal structure.

Remember – Classical musicians were influenced by society and many used folk songs, ethnic music in the compositions

Why learn about Classical Music

You don’t need a College education to enjoy music but the more you know about it or the Composer, his life/influences etc. the deeper your enjoyment of the piece/work will be.

Music has been developing since the 9th Century with the introduction of harmonisation these complexities lead to subtle changes that you only become aware of as your knowledge of the music deepens

Beethoven’s 6th Symphony – ‘The Pastorale’

Wonderful music to sweep you along Beautiful melodies What it depicts? – a day in the

countryside complete with twittering birds and a summer thunderstorm

Now listen again and the piece takes on an entirely new listening experience

John Ruskin – author and

critic

SPEAKING OF THE MUSIC OF BEETHOVEN

“LIKE THE UPSETTING OF BAGS OF NAILS, WITH HERE

AND THERE A DROPPED HAMMER”

The Royal Influence

Music has always been with us – folk music as Mark Twain observed is “music nobody ever wrote”

These ‘nobodies’ composed ballads such as ‘Greensleeves’ back in the Middle Ages.

However, the Royalty of the time required a different ‘sort’ of music – they required a higher level of musical expression and had the power and money to influence.

This was the start of Classical Music as we know it today

Henry VIII

FAMOUS FOR BEHEADING WIVES

KEPT OVER 70 MUSICIANS AT COURT FOR HIS ENTERTAINMENT

The Creation of Classical Music

Classical Music is the creation of a composer. There is no improvisation like Jazz – the Soprano will sing ‘as written’

However, Interpretations of Speed, Loudness or Instrumental emphasis varies according to the Conductor.

Herbert Von Karajan or Sir Simon Rattle recordings of the same work vary greatly – that’s why Classical music is so alive and exhilarating today

Classical music can be instrumental, vocal or a combination of both

Different Types of Classical Music

Instrumental Music This can be for one instrument or 110-

piece orchestra Solo – means one Duet – means two equal partners Chamber – two or more, ensembleChamber Orchestra is up to 35 musiciansSymphony Orchestra is 60, 100 musicians with four families of instruments – string, wind, brass, percussion

Vocal Music Songs – Lieder is German for Song and

was most popular in the Romantic Era with composer like Schubert

Sacred Gregorian chants sung ‘a capella’ designed to fill the listener with the presence of God. Mass settings from Mozart

Chorus Choral music for mixed voices Opera dramatic story with orchestration

underpinning the performance. Tragic – Aida, fanciful – The Magic Flute

The Baroque Period 1650-1750

These dates cover an impressive historical era. It was the Age of Reason in philosophy and science It was the time of Rembrandt and in literature it was Milton and Swift In England, the Tudors were in decline The American colonies were increasing and thriving The period ends with the death of Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach 1685-1750

At the time he was the same as everyone else – in trouble with the Authorities, struggling to hold down a job and kissing up to his bosses

He produced more than 400 Cantatas (vocal with accompaniment) and 20 children (13 died in infancy)

Four of his children became composers in their own right. Most famous for the Brandenburg Concertos – these were never performed

during his lifetime His B Minor Mass is inspirational or something lighter would be Jesu, Joy of

Man’s Desiring Mendelssohn revived the interest in Bach after his death when he received the

Passion According to St. Matthew which showcased his gensius

J.S. Bach1685-1750

“ WHEN ANYTHING OF BACH’S HAS BEEN ONCE HEARD, IT WILL BE EASY TO DISCOVER

THAT IT IS BEAUTIFUL AND TO HEAR IT AGAIN; THE ONLY

DIFFICULTY IS THE BEGINNING”MENDELSSOHN

George Frederic Handel 1685-1759

Beethoven described him as ‘the greatest of us all’ Left Germany and studied in Italy, composing cantatas, displaying his talents

as an organist and learnt to write Italian-style operas. Returned to Germany but spent a long time in London. Moved their with King

George 1 and wrote the Water Music Suite for the Kings trips on the Thames.

Was financially secure and much of his music was for stage – perhaps more accessible than Bach.

Most important work – The Messiah which he wrote in 24 days. He said when he wrote it he ‘saw heaven before me, and the great God Himself’ This was premiered in Dublin

Other composers of the Baroque Era

Vivaldi for uplifting, energetic rhythms

Telemann for chamber music Scarlatti – his Sonatas for keyboard Purcell – English composer: Opera

Music of this era is characterized by its formal structure

It is very ornate and embellished Can be classed as ‘busy’ Can be challenging to musicians and

listeners

The Classical Period 1760-1820 aprox.

These dates are loose and there is plenty of overlap from the Baroque and also into the Romantic Era

Major Stylistic difference between the Baroque and the Classical was the latter’s focus on simplicity and formal elegance

The period includes some literary greats such as Thomas Paine, Robert Burns, Jane Austen, Shelley

Franz Joseph Haydn 1732-1809

Sometimes called the father of the Symphony, he defined their forms and produced an incredible body of work

Born in Austria and was one of 12 children, had a beautiful singing voice and sang in his local church

Moved to Vienna to sing in St. Stephen’s Cathedral and studied music, received Royal patronage and conducted the court orchestra.

Concert world in London was really successful for his symphonies, retired wealthy to Vienna and died shortly after.

Symphonies – Farewell (No. 45) Military (No. 100) Drum Roll (No. 103) His Trumpet Concerto is special and perhaps his Quartets like Emperor (op.76 No.3) Choral works of importance are the Coronation Mass or The Mass in Time or War

Mozart 1756-1791

His real name was Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart; Wolfgang for short but his father preferred Gottlieb to Theophilus and in Latin it translates into Amadeus (love of God)

Austrian born, child prodigy and started piano at the age of three. Composition followed and he had a great ear for music. Played for the Pope and King George III and had Royal patronage.

By 15 he had petered out on the concert circuit and followed his father into church service as Organist/Director. Wasn’t appreciated and paid very little, he remained on the poverty line for most of his life.

He worked very hard on his compositions, unlike the portrayal in the film and his pieces were well received. His genius reached the pinnacle of expression with operas, concertos, symphonies and chamber music

Sadly he died in 1791 in poverty most likely of typhoid fever at the age of 35 and was buried in a pauper’s grave

Mozart and the Cataloguer!

Mozart pieces will usually have a letter ‘K’ and a number. It refers to Kochel, most composers identified pieces by opus numbers (opus meaning work) but Mozart worked so quickly that he sometimes lost count ( his Symphony No.24 is really No. 31 for example) Ludwig Kochel systematically catalogued every one of Mozart’s compositions assigning each one a number from 1 to 626. There are mistakes but with such a volume of compositions it’s easy to see why!

Important works to enjoy include Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, his final symphonies No. 40 in G Minor or No. 41 in C, his Requiem, the Coronation Mass – Opera includes Don Giovanni, Magic Flute

Mozart1756-1791

“MOZART TAPPED THE SOURCE FROM WHICH ALL MUSIC

FLOWS, EXPRESSING HIMSELF WITH A SPONTANEITY AND

REFINEMENT THAT HAS NEVER SINCE BEEN DUPLICATED”

AARON COPLAND

Beethoven 1770-1827

Difficult man who was hard to get along with, had a huge ego and was rude. Defied rules of polite society but broke the compositional chains that bound so many of his composing colleagues – bit of a rebel

Born into an unhappy family of alcoholics, violent father and pushed by his father who thought he had ‘another Mozart’ and could exploit him.

Worked in the court orchestra, organist and by 17 left for Vienna where he played for Mozart and studied under Haydn, but the relationship was difficult.

Generally accepted in society but by his mid 20’s deafness had started to develop and this increased his isolation. Fell in love with married women or Royalty.

30,000 people attended his funeral with Franz Schubert a torchbearer. His symphonies are indispensable and wonderful, all 9 of them. The piano sonatas

include Pathetique, Moonlight. Only wrote one Opera

The Romantic Era

The 19th Century was an age of individualism. Expressions of Mood including joy, sorrow, hope and despair. There was a fusion of Art forms with poetry inspiring music and music enhancing drama.

The rise of the Lieder/Song cycles Rise of Feminism and female composers such as Fanny Mendelssohn

and Clara Schumann

Felix Mendelssohn 1809-1847

Educated and accomplished gentleman with a culturally aware family who nurturing and encouraged his musical abilities. Younger brother to Fanny who was a composer in her own right

His career was short lived but his Violin Concerto is his most loved as is his ‘Wedding March’. He travelled widely and performed, conducted and taught during his 38 years.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a good introduction to his music, his Venetian Boat songs showcase his life of travel and his chamber music is enchanting

He was Jewish and during the reign of the Nazis they tried to write him from history, tore down statues and even composed ‘other Wedding Marches’ but nothing could erase musical history

Frederic Chopin 1810-1849

Chopin is piano music, he left very little else just a few chamber pieces, a sonata and a few songs.

Born outside Warsaw and talented from an early age with poetry writing, drawing and piano playing.

His child genius at piano saw the aristocratic society welcome him and he continued to study and perform until he embarked on a European tour with possible visits to US. The tour wasn’t a success due to political turmoil

His health was poor and his work ethic drained him of whatever energy he had. He was later diagnosed with tuberculosis and when already dying had to flee from France to England during the 1848 Revolution. This taxed him further with concerts for fundraising for his native Poland. He returned to Paris and died shortly afterwards.

If you don’t like piano – give Chopin a miss but his nocturnes are wonderful for moments of reflection or on a larger scale try the B-flat Minor Sonata

Frederic Chopin1810-1849

“HIS CREATION WAS SPONTANEOUS AND

MIRACULOUS. HE FOUND IT WITHOUT SEEKING IT,

WITHOUT FORESEEING IT”GEORGE SAND – NOVELIST

Other Musicians of the Romantic Era

Tchaikovsky for his ballets and symphonies

Antonin Dvorak – his new world symphony and the American string quartet

Bedrich Smetana – beautiful imagery Charles Gounod – opera Cesar Franck - chamber music Gabriel Faure - ballet

Berlioz - fantastic Requiem Edvard GreigThe list is endless with a never ending source of delight

Classical music in the 20th Century

This era has a number of influences, experimental, radical, absurdist The world was is a state of flux with wars, the atomic age, the space age Debussy composed music that created a mood not reflect it Stravinsky pushed boundaries with his use of primal, savage rhythms and

difficult harmonies However, during this time some romantic composers remained – Gustav

Mahler, conductor and composer famous for his symphonies but are over an hour long. The 5th is most special.

Vaughan Williams gave us folk songs re-worked, think Greensleeves – his work appeared later in life and his Magnificat is substantial.

Classical Music in the 20th Century

Claude Debussy was convinced that music was made up of colours and rhythms and his compositions really do have strong imagery. His piece ‘La Mer’ (The Sea) has good rhythm and is very descriptive. He is also famous for ‘Clair Du Lune’ for piano which is ever popular

Igor Stravinsky towers above most of his 20th century colleagues and his compositions changed the face of music in our time.

His music pushed boundaries, divided musicians and caused rows between Ravel and Saint-Saens, the latter thinking Stravinsky was a faker!

His music is tough to listen to but perhaps start with ‘Firebird’ then approach ‘the rite of spring’

Classical music in the 20th Century

Prokofiev (1891-1953) who was a brilliant pianist, defied authorities and his professors showcasing his own compositions during his graduation ceremony and causing uproar. Famous for ‘Peter and the Wolf’ and ‘Love for three Oranges’

Shostakovich (1906-1975) struggled through the Russian Revolution and the people were recovering from famine. He had creative originality but the Soviet society became more prudish and his music was disliked, he threaded a thin line with the authorities and lived in constant fear. His music was split – approved, think of the ballet ‘The Age of Gold’ and disapproved, the 7th symphony which was inspired by the horrific war years and is unforgettable.

Classical Music in the 20th Century

George Gershwin (1898-1937) came from humble beginnings but advanced after Al Jolson sang ‘Swanee’. He also wrote musicals such as ‘Lady Be Good’ and ‘Strike up the Band’. He entered the concert arena aged 25 with the now famous ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ which is Jazz/Classic fusion. Died suddenly aged 38 of a brain tumor.

Aaron Copland (1900-1990) parents were Russian emigrants. Used American folk themes imaginatively including cowboy tunes (Billy the Kid) Rodeo(1942). He won an Oscar for his film score to ‘The Heiress’ in 1950

Music today

Today music and musical scores for film are a huge industry and many composers should be acknowledged. Bernstein for ‘West side story’ Oscar winner Miklos Rozsa for ‘Ben Hur’ Alex North wrote music for over 60 films including ‘Good Morning, Vietnam’

Not forgetting Mr John Williams who is well known for films such as E.T, Jaws and Superman

On the other side of Classical music you have Philip Glass – a minimalist composer who combines rhythmic cycles with non-western devices and technology. His score for the ‘thin blue line’ and his ‘dance pieces’ showcase his abilities and interests

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Nothing on earth is so well-suited to make the sad merry, to give courage to the despairing, to make the proud humble, to lessen envy and hate, as music

MARTIN LUTHER IN THE 16TH CENTURY

Any questions or anything you would like to contribute to the group? What has been your experience of Classical Music?