Mozart+by+James

Mozart by James

characteristics of classical music


 * Contrasts of Mood **
 * A piece of classical music includes a change of mood which can change suddenly or gradually. This change will show what mood will be and should be felt by the audience. It conflicts moods such as elation and depression depending on the meaning behind the song and who wrote it. A Dramatic, turbulent mood might change to happy care free dance tune.


 * ==== In classical music there is a flexibility of rhythm that adds variety to classical music. It includes unexpected pauses, syncopations and frequent changes of the length of the notes. The change of notes can be both gradual and sudden. A classical piece often has a wealth of rhythmic Patterns. Syncopation and frequent changes from long notes to shorter notes. ====

**Texture**

 * Classical music has two or more parts coming together in harmony making it homophonic. However texture is flexible like rhythm and pieces can shift smoothly or suddenly between many movements and textures through the duration of the piece. A piece may begin with a simple homophonic texture but then change to a more complex polyphonic texture later on in the piece.


 * Melody **


 * ==== Classical melodies are not only tuneful, but easy to remember. A normal melody will often sound balanced or symmetrical because they are made up of two phrases of the same length. The second phrase will more often than not will begin like the first, but end more conclusively. Classical melodies are the most catchy and easy to remember. Themes of highly sophisticated pieces may have a folk popular flavour. Classical melodies tend to sound balanced and symmetrical because they are frequently made up of two phrases usually the same length.====

** Dynamics & the Piano **

 * ==== Classical composers wanted different shades of emotion to be shown through their pieces, which led to the use of dynamics- crescendo (gradually getting louder) and diminuendo (gradually getting softer). This would allow the composers to change the emotions of the audiences with their music. C rescendos and D ecrescendos were and are still an electrifying novelty sometimes causing audience members to rise from their seats excitedly. during the time of the classical period the desire for gradual dynamic change led to the use of the piano instead of the harpsichord. By changing the pressure put on the keys of the piano a pianist could play more loudly and softly when they wanted to. The late eighteenth century piano called the //fortepiano,// weighed a lot less than the modern piano and had thinner strings held by a wooden frame instead of a metal one. The pitch range and tone were smaller and lasted a shorter time. ====


 * pg 201