Classical Vienna: Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven
Classical Vienna: Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven
Three of history’s greatest composers crossed paths, knew each other and were intimately acquainted with each other’s works. Drawn to Vienna, the musical capital in the Age of Enlightenment, Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven developed a musical language to which all subsequent eras are still compared. These sessions explore the classical style in the context of the lives and works of all three composers. We will build listening skills that will make all classical music more approachable and enjoyable—plus a liberal sprinkling of anecdotes! Open to both new and experienced music listeners.
Haydn: I was no wizard on any instrument, but I knew the possibilities and effects of each.
Mozart: If the Archbishop would trust me, I should soon make his orchestra famous; of this there is no doubt.
Beethoven: It seemed to me impossible to leave the world until I had brought forth all that I felt was within me.
8 SESSIONS
1. Vienna and the Age of Enlightenment
Thumbnail sketches of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven
Vienna in the late 18th century
The Changing Musical Aesthetic, from the Baroque to the emerging Classical Style
2. The Language of Sonata
Sonata Form—understanding the musical language of the Classic Era
Haydn Piano Sonata in C Major Hob. 35
Mozart Piano Sonata K545 in C Major (#14b)
Beethoven Symphony No. 5 in C Minor op. 67
3. Haydn the Kapellmeister
Tracing the life and times of Haydn from impoverished beginnings to securing the most coveted musical post in Austria and establishing a reputation as the world’s greatest composer; Haydn’s music and how it articulates the classical style; characteristics of his individual thumbprint
4. Mozart the Prodigy
Touching first on the sensation of Mozart as a wunderkind, then his teenage years searching for a position while convincing the world of his compositional ability, and finally focusing on his final decade in Vienna; Mozart’s music and how it articulates the classical style; characteristics of his individual thumbprint
5. Beethoven the Rebel
Life and times of Beethoven whose genius and arrogance managed to convince the world that music could be the greatest achievement of man, and that an artist was an equal to the highest nobleman; Beethoven’s music and how it articulates the classical style; characteristics of his individual thumbprint
6. Piano Sonatas comparing Haydn and Beethoven; Mozart and Beethoven
The difficult but profitable teacher-student relationship between Haydn and Beethoven; Haydn’s influence on Beethoven’s musical thought process; the form and structure of the piano sonata; sonata style continued.
Haydn Piano Sonata in C# minor HOB XVI 36; Piano Sonata in E flat Major HOB XVI 52
Mozart Piano Sonata K457 in C minor (#14b) Piano Sonata in C Major K545
Beethoven Piano Sonata in F Minor op.2#1 (Sonata #1); Piano Sonata in C Major op. 53 “Waldstein”
7. String Quartets of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven
The strong friendship of Haydn and Mozart; how their works established the string quartet as the pre-eminent form in chamber music; the form and structure of the string quartet; the sonata style
Haydn String Quartet in C major op. 76#3 (Emperor)
Mozart String Quartet in C Major K.465 (Dissonant)
Beethoven String Quartet in F Major Op. 59#1 (Razumovsky)
Beethoven String Quartet in C# Minor op. 131
8. Symphonies of Three Grand Architects
Haydn Symphony #104 (London)
Mozart Symphony #41 (Jupiter)
Beethoven Symphony #6 (Pastoral)