2. Public Genres in the Classical Period The emphasis on communication and expression associated with the classical period saw the rise of distinctly classical styles in three important public genres: Opera The Concerto The Symphony
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4. Middle Movements Typical Scheme: Movement 2 : Slow Movement Movement 3 : Minuet and Trio Sometimes the two middle movements are reversed (i.e., mvt. 2 is Minuet, mvt. 3 is Slow) Sometimes (especially early on) there is only one inner movement – so that the symphony represents the Slow-Fast-Slow multi-movement structure of the Italian Overture The Composer Luigi Cherubini and a Muse Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres
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6. Classical vs. Baroque Variations Baroque variations were generally built on a Ground Bass (a recurring bass pattern and implied chord sequence) Classical variations were generally built on a Theme (a melody, which served as a point of departure for a series of melodic and accompanimental explorations) The Bass vs. the Soprano By basing variations on the bass, the Baroque technique stressed the structural/architectural role of the lowest-sounding voice By basing variations on the melody, the Classical technique was more interested in communicating audible stylistic explorations, rather than contrapuntal elaborations
