Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrote his 40th symphony in the summer of 1788, one of three symphonies he wrote between June and August of that year. Louis Biancolli considers these three symphonies the greatest Mozart composed. In writing this amount of music in a relatively short period of time, should it be considered a masterpiece? Qualities in the first movement will be under consideration for this determination. David Dubal tells us that a true work of art should “not only add something new”, but “transmit and enrich the old”. He also states that a masterpiece would be appreciated in every generation. Carl Dahlhaus poses that an authentic masterpiece should be in line with the philosophy of the time it was written. Putting these two thoughts together then, a masterpiece should be in tune with the philosphy of its time while adding something new to the enrichment of familiar ideas, and would be appreciated and recognized as an important work of art by subsequent generations. In order to investigate if this symphony is attuned to its time, we must look at the society in which it was written. The eighteenth century encompassed a time of major change, initiated by scientific and philosophical discovery. Isaac Newton’s discoveries in the laws of motion and gravity lead to the belief that natural laws such as these dictated what happened in everyday life rather than direct, everyday involvement in mundane details from a supreme being. This is not to say there was a shift away from belief in, or worship of, a supreme being, only that society felt He did not often get involved in everyday affairs. These discoveries enabled society to have more faith in human reason, and historians label this as the ‘Enlightenment’ period, or the A... ... middle of paper ... ...fied as a masterpiece. Works Cited Biancolli, Louis Leopold. The Mozart Handbook; A Guide to the Man and His Music. Cleveland: World Pub. Co, 1954. Dahlhaus, Carl. Analysis and Value Judgment. New York: Pendragon Press, 1983. Dubal, David. Aspen Ideas Festival, The Aspen Institute. “What Makes A Musical Masterpiece?” video lecture. www.aspenideas.org/session/what-makes-musical-masterpiece (accessed February 7, 2014). Gutman, Robert W. Mozart: A Cultural Biography. London: Secker & Warburg, 2000. Rosen, Charles. The Classical Style: Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven. New York: Viking Press, 1971. "W.A. Mozart Sinfonie in g." IMSLP/Petrucci Music Library. http://conquest.imslp.info/files/imglnks/usimg/a/ac/IMSLP273436-PMLP01572-III._Zweiter_Fassung.pdf (accessed February 18, 2014). Wright, Craig M. Music in Western Civilization. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Schirmer, 2006.
Mini-Q Essay A time period known as The Age of Reason or The Enlightenment was when philosophy, politics, science and social communications changed drastically. It helped shape the ideas of capitalism and democracy, which is the world we live in today. People joined together to discuss areas of high intellect and creative thoughts. The Enlightenment was a time period in which people discussed new ideas, and educated people, known as philosophers, all had a central idea of freedom of choice and the natural right of individuals. These philosophers include John Locke, Voltaire, Adam Smith, and Mary Wollstonecraft.
The Enlightenment was the time period that followed the Scientific Revolution and was characterized as the "Age of Reason". This was the time when man began to use his reason to discover the world around him rather than blindly follow what the previous authority, such as the Church and Classical Philosophers, stated to be true. The Enlightenment was a tremendously broad movement that dominated much of the European thinking during the 18th century, however, several core themes that epitomized the movement were the idea of progress, skepticism against the Church, and individualism.
I was impressed by the range of the pieces that were performed as they were from 18th century classical symphony arrangements to contemporary techno pieces. However, the pieces that moved me most were Mozart’s Molto Allegro, Oaken Sky by Chris Rogerson and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5. In hindsight, I am surprised that the two pieces from the Classical Era had such an impact on me. Perhaps, “classical” pieces were what I expected to hear at a Symphony. Oaken Sky evoked the most imagery for me and the conductor’s introduction of the piece was perhaps partly responsible for my ability to go from the earth to the sky in my mind’s eye. Oaken Sky was definitely a pleasant surprise and very pleasing to all of my senses. I was fully engaged in body, mind and soul with Rogerson’s composition. Cielito Lindo was interesting and the soloist really enhanced the piece with a stellar performance. Warehouse Medicine caused an incongruent stirring in me; perhaps I was not prepared for electronics to be added to the symphony. Ravel’s composition, Le Tombeau de Couperin, was a moving piece, but did not engage my senses, only my intellect. This work essentially left me feeling confused and although I appreciated the description of the dedication of the work by the composer, this was my least favorite piece. The “CPCC” soloist, Juan Caljero’s, rendition of Cileito Lindo was mesmerizing. Charlotte
The ninth symphony is my favorite symphony just because the music is so heavenly. It seems in the beginning of the piece brings a person from darkness to light. Beethoven, I believe, was ahead of his time. To me, he is the greatest composer of all time. His music is not just sounds of music played together in harmony, but a way of life. The music he created for the world is not just to listen to it, but grabs onto the emotion he was setting up. Beethoven's unordinary style cannot ever be copied by any composer or music artist. Today, when we hear music of any kind, we can only thank a certain person, and that person should be Ludwig van Beethoven.
Symphony No. 5 in C minor, composed by the legendary Ludwig van Beethoven, is one of the most famous orchestral musical compositions done by the German-born composer. The symphony is broken down into four movements. The symphony has such a profound effect on so many people because of its use drama by introducing sudden and powerful chords which quickly grabs the audience’s attention as well as creating a variety of musical ideas through his use of excitement by way of fast and slow tempos. The first movement, Allegro con brio, which utilizes the Sonata form, contains an opening sequence or Exposition, which initially compels my attention during its first 6 seconds due to its powerful entry and introduction of the basic four-note motive (short-short-short-long) of the piece. The quick repetition in a lower step using strings in unison keeps me engaged due to its energy, as it sort of
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed an exemplary piece of classical music that can be seen in television and films of the twenty-first century. Mozart would hear a complete piece in his head before he would write it down. He created pieces that had simple melodies, but also the orchestration sounded rich. Out of the forty-one symphonies Mozart composed, I have chosen Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 in G minor or better known as The Great G Minor Symphony, written in 1788. Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 is considered the most popular out of all forty-one symphonies because the opening movement is very memorable. Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 is effectively composed through the use of a specific form, elements of music, and using the appropriate instruments so one can see brilliant scenes unfolding.
It is clear that Beethoven’s stands as being significant in development of the string quartet to a massive extent in creativity and innovation. His early quartets show great influence of those from the Classical period and with his own, has influenced his contemporaries and later composers. The quartets published later in his life show even greater imagination and use of expression. It is also through similar uses of texture, harmony, rhythm and counterpoint that composers of the Romantic period and the 20th century wrote their own string quartets. Beethoven’s however prove a huge advancement in how string quartets are written and the intensity of emotions that they portray.
Among the many musical types of the period, the classical period is best known for the symphony, a form of a large orchestral ensemble. The symphonic pieces generally had three movements, the sonata, the minuet, and the finale. Building of the achievements of earlier composers, Haydn, and Mozart brought the symphony to it's peak in the last 20 years of the 18th century. Haydn excelled in rhythmic drive and development of theme-based music. Mozart also added to the symphony by contrasting memorable lyric themes in very full sounding orchestral settings.
During the Age of enlightenment people began to reform society using reason, challenge ideas of tyranny and of the Roman Catholic Curch. People for the first time started advancing knowledge through the use of the scientific method. Enlightenment type thinking has had a huge impact on the culture, politics, and g...
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is one of the most renowned composers of the classical period, who has, over the course of his lifetime, composed hundreds of popular works including sonatas, symphonies, masses, chamber music, concertos and operas.
...the opera Cosi Fan Tutte (All Women Are Like That, 1790), much of his early instrumental music, and canons (rounds) with nonsense words. Mozart also produced deeply serious music. His most profound works include the piano concerto in D minor, several string quartets, the string quintet in G minor, and his last three symphonies - E flat major, G minor, and the Jupiter. Larger works may contain both serious and light elements, as does Don Giovanni. Mozart belonged to the Order of Freemasons and wrote several compositions for their meetings. Some scenes from his fairy-tale opera The Magic Flute was inspired by Masonic traditions and beliefs. A catalog of Mozart’s works was first prepared by Ludwig Kochel (1800-1877), a German music lover. Today, Mozart’s works are still identified by the number Kochel assigned to them. Today Mozart’s music is well known and admired throughout the world. His compositions continue to exert a particular fascination for musicians and music lovers today.
The preceding Enlightenment period had depended upon reason, logic and science to give us knowledge, success, and a better society. The Romantics contested that idea and changed the formula...
Mozart left behind a legacy that can not be measured by simply words. Even at the time of his death, he was already considered one of the greatest composers of all time, not mentioning he wrote 626 pieces in only 35 years. Hundreds of his works also later influenced composers like Beethoven, Kuhalu, Hadyn, and many others. Not only that, Mozart also developed the forms of operas, symphonies, string ensembles, and concertos that we know today. Many of Mozart’s compositions, including short pieces, sonatas, sonatinas, operas, and etudes are used today on television, in plays, and even in modern music. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart impacted the musical world for eternity and beyond.
The Classical Period brought forward new musical innovation. The sudden change in emotion and contrast in the music from the classical era is one of the many fascinating topics. However, the topic most talked about to this very day is Mozart’s Requiem. The mystery of which parts were composed by Mozart puzzles many. Even the rumor that surrounds Mozart’s cause of death is fascinating. Peter Shaffer’s play Amadeus, added more controversy to this intriguing mystery.
The age of Enlightenment was a progression of the cultural and intellectual changes in Europe that had resulted from the scientific revolution during the sixteenth and seventeenth century. The scientific revolution and the discoveries made about the natural world would ultimately challenge the way people perceived the world around them. Scientist found real answers, by questioning flawed ancient beliefs that were widely held and maintained by the church. Ultimately, these discoveries and scientific advancements would evolve and effect social, cultural, and political developments in Europe over the course of time. The scientific revolution had provided certainty about the natural world that had long been questioned. With these new developments came the progression and influence of thought, rationality, and individualism. These new ideas would be the hallmark for the Enlightenment movement that would shape most of Europe in the eighteenth century.