classical
THE HISTORY OF
MUSIC
the OrcHeStra
The first orchestras were small with just a few musicians and no conductor. During the 18th and 19th centuries they grew bigger and bigger as more musicians were added and new instruments designed and introduced. Composers began writing more complex symphonies and some wrote for up to 150 instruments! A modern orchestra usually has about 80 musicians.
Percussion These instruments are all played by being hit, shaken, or scraped so that they make a sound. In general, percussion instruments act as the rhythm section of the orchestra. Brass The brass section often makes brilliant, blazing sounds. The oldest brass instruments are the trumpet and the horn. On occasion the trumpet can sound louder than all the other instruments combined. o Richard Strauss, “Sunrise”, from “Also Sprach Zarathustra”, Op. 30, Section 1
Woodwinds These instruments usually make up the second largest section of the orchestra. Woodwind instruments are all long narrow pipes with holes and a mouthpiece, and most include a “reed” which vibrates when air is blow across it. o Edward Grieg, “Morning mood”, from “Peer Gynt”, Op. 23, Prelude to Act IV
The conductor When orchestras were small they were directed by the first violinist, or concertmaster. But as they grew larger, the musicians could no longer see the first violinist and soon a podium was built and a conductor—often the composer—would stand on it and lead the orchestra using a baton and hand gestures.
Strings The strings section is usually the largest part of the orchestra. The musicians sit closest to the conductor and the audience. The principal strings players sit in the front rows. o Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Symphony No. 24
4 (“The Italian Symphony”), Op. 90, 1st Movement
The Symphony orchestra is made up of four sections of musical instruments Strings: violin (first and second), viola, cello, double bass. Woodwinds: piccolo, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon; Brass: horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba; Percussion: timpani, drum, cymbal, triangle, xylophone; Others: harp, piano.
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A CenTury of GenIuS
By about 1820, the “Romantic Era” of music had begun. It was a time of great vigour and invention as composers tried to express strong emotions such as grief, love, and tragedy in their music. New instruments were added to orchestras, and the modern piano took over from the more delicatesounding fortepiano.
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Gioacchino Rossini (1792–1868) Nicknamed “The Italian Mozart,” Rossini wrote 39 operas, including The Barber of Seville and William Tell. He also composed chamber music, sacred music, and pieces for piano. o Wiliam Tell, Ouverture Finale
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Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827). One of the greatest composers, he was a key figure in the transition from the Classical to Romantic eras. See also pages 2021 o Symphony No.5, Op.67, First
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Franz Schubert (1797–1828) During his short life the Austrian composer Schubert wrote over 600 songs, seven complete symphonies, 20 piano sonatas, and about 50 choral works. He only became famous after he died.
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Hector Berlioz (1803–1869) This French composer wrote a wide variety of strikingly original works, including Symphonie fantastique which is his best known piece. He sometimes used very large orchestras with more than 1,000 musicians.
Felix Mendelssohn Batholdy (1809–1847) began composing at the age of 10 and produced a huge amount of piano and chamber music, as well as symphonies, overtures, and concertos for orchestra.
Frédéric Chopin (1810–1849) A brilliant pianist and composer, Chopin wrote mainly for the piano. He was born in Poland but lived most of his life in Paris where he became very well known.
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Franz Liszt (1811–1886) Born in Hungary, Liszt lived and worked in many parts of Europe. A composer, teacher, conductor, and virtuoso pianist, he created a large body of work and also invented new forms, such as the symphonic poem.
Robert Schumann (1810–1856) This German musician was a virtuoso pianist until a hand injury forced him to focus on composition. He is considered one of the greatest composers of the Romantic Era.
Giuseppe Verdi (1813–1901) Verdi composed 25 operas, including Rigoletto, Aida, and La Traviata, which are still very popular today. o “Va Pensiero”, Chorus from
WAGNER
the opera “Nabucco”, Third Act
Richard Wagner (1813–1883) Famous mostly for his operas, especially the four-opera Ring Cycle, Wagner had his own opera house built at Bayreuth, where his operas are still performed today. o “Ride of the Valkyries”, from the opera “The Valkyrie”, Third
S V KI O K I A H TC BRAHMS
Johannes Brahms (1833–1897) Born in Hamburg, Brahms was a composer and great pianist who wrote symphonies, chamber music, concertos, and choral compositions.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840–1893) A Russian composer, Tchaikovsky was a prolific artist. The ballets The Nutcracker and The Sleeping Beauty are among his most famous works. 27