{The History of Western Music [continued (18)]}[5th February 1991]

[Redbook8:222-223][19910205:1412t]{The History of Western Music [continued (18)]}[5th February 1991]

.1412

[continued]

[Highlighted & annotated extracts from ‘The History of Western Music’ ‘THE CLASSICAL PERIOD’ ‘Consolidation of the Classical style’ ‘Stylistic elements’ ‘Central role of instrumental music’]

‘For the first time in the history of music, instrumental music became more important than vocal music. The orchestra and chamber groups, such as the string quartet, trio and quintet, and the piano trio, became standardised and replaced the heterogeneous trio sonata and other ensembles of the Baroque period. The basic duple and triple organisation of metre remained unchanged, but rhythmic patterns tending towards regularity and simplicity* became the rule, producing the “tyranny of the bar line” that was to prevail for more than a century.’

‘Melody was inclined to be more motivistic, tuneful and epigrammatic, as opposed to the extended figurative style of many Baroque melodies. Harmony** was second only to melody as a focal element. Harmonic patterns that clearly established the tonal centre were the rule of the day.

‘As a reaction against the intricate polophony of the late Baroque period, homophonic texture dominated by melody became the norm....’***

‘Formal structure, a definitive aspect of classical style, was characterised by simplicity and clarity.# Sectional forms (created by contrast and repetition of thematic materials, tonalities, and textures), variations, and the new principle of development (fragmentation, expansion, and modification#* of themes) were the established norms. Phrases of musical material became shorter and more clearly demarcated as well as more balanced and regular. A new concept of dynamic contrast also contributed to formal clarity.’

#**

*{

/		\
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[The upward-sloping lines in the ts are upward-pointing arrows in the ms]

}

**{s~}

***{cf line drawing?}

****{2048s~|R~1792[ce]}

#{

/		\
R~	__	S~
/		\

[The higher upward-sloping lines in the ts are upward-pointing arrows in the ms]

}

#*{J~G~R~?}

#**[Encyclopaedia Britannica 24: 558]

[Underlining per ms]

[Part of longer extract reproduced at [Redbook8:222][19910205:1412n]{The History of Western Music [continued (12)]}[5th February 1991] above]

[continued]

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