In this blog I’ll cover some of the forms (genres) used in the Classical Period.
Concerto
What It Is: An instrumental piece for solo instrument with orchestral accompaniment.
How Many Movements: Three.
What Are The Movements: Quick. Slow. Quick.
Well Known Example: Horn Concerto No.4 - Mozart
Opera Buffa
What It Is: A humorous opera. A comic opera.
Where Did They Appear: As well as being a standalone genre they often appeared as short, one-act interludes in between acts of Opera Seria.
Well Known Example: La Serva Padrona - Giovanni Battista Pergolesi
Opera Seria
What It Is: A serious, noble opera.
Developed From: The conventions of the High Baroque Era
Typical Opera Form: Overture (three movements fast-slow-fast), recitatives and arias. Three acts.
Well Known Example: Orfeo es Euridice - Christoph Willibald Gluck
Overture
What It Is: A one-movement piece for orchestra. Often used as an introduction to a larger work.
How They Work: They use ideas and moods from the main work to help set the scene.
Well Known Example: Overture to The Magic Flute - Mozart
Sonata
What It Is: Usually written for one instrument, but occasionally two.
How Many Movements: Three or four.
Well Known Example: Sonata Pathetique - Beethoven
String Quartet
What It Is: A musical composition for four stringed instruments.
Instruments Used: Two violins, Viola, Cello.
How Many Movements: Usually four.
Well Known Example: Emperor Quartet (String Quartet in C Major Op.76, No.3) - Haydn
Symphony
What It Is: An orchestral piece of music.
How Many Movements: Usually four, sometimes fewer, sometimes more.
Well Known Example: Symphony 41 in C Major, k551 - Mozart
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