Viennese classics: Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven. Vienna Classical School

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Viennese classics entered the world history of music as the greatest reformers of the musical genre. Their work is not only unique in itself, it is also valuable because it determined the further development of musical theater, genres, styles and trends. Their compositions laid the foundation for what is now considered classical music.

General characteristics of the era

These authors are united by what they did at the turn of two major cultural and historical eras: classicism and romanticism. The Viennese classics lived in a time of transition, when there was an active search for new forms not only in music, but also in fiction, painting, and architecture. All this largely determined the direction of their activities and the problems of writings. The 18th - the first half of the 19th centuries were marked by serious political upheavals, wars that literally turned the map of Europe upside down and had a strong impact on the minds of the modern intelligentsia and educated circles of society. The Viennese classics were no exception. For example, the well-knownthe fact that the Napoleonic Wars greatly influenced the work of Beethoven, who, in his famous 9th symphony ("Choral"), held the idea of universal unity and peace. It was a kind of response to all those cataclysms that shook the European continent at the time we are considering.

Cultural Life

Viennese classics lived in a period when the baroque faded into the background, and a new direction began to play a leading role. It strove for harmony of forms, unity of composition, and therefore abandoned the magnificent forms of the previous era. Classicism began to determine the cultural image of many European states. But at the same time, even then there was a tendency to overcome the rigid forms of this trend and create strong works with elements of drama and even tragedy. These were the first signs of the emergence of romanticism, which determined the cultural development of the entire 19th century.

Opera reform

Viennese classics played a decisive role in the development of all musical genres of the period under review. Each of them, so to speak, specialized in one style or musical form, but all their achievements were included in the golden fund of world music. Gluck (composer) was the largest and one of the most famous composers of his time. It is difficult to overestimate his role in the development of the theater: after all, it was he who gave the genre of opera the finished form in which we know it now. The merit of Christopher Gluck is that he was the first to move away from the understanding of opera as a work to demonstrate vocal abilities, but subduedthe musical beginning of dramaturgy.

Meaning

Gluck is a composer who made the opera a real performance. In his works, as well as in the works of his followers, vocals began to depend largely on the word. The plot and composition, and most importantly - the drama, began to determine the development of the musical line. Thus, the opera ceased to be an exclusively entertaining genre, but turned into a serious kind of musical creation with complex dramaturgy, psychologically interesting characters, and a captivating composition.

Composer's works

Viennese classical school formed the basis of the world's musical theater. Much credit for this belongs to Gluck. His opera Orpheus and Eurydice was a breakthrough in this genre. In it, the author focused not on the virtuosity of performance, but on the drama of the characters, thanks to which the work received such a sound and is still being performed. Another opera - "Alceste" - was also a new word in world music. The Austrian composer again emphasized the development of the storyline, thanks to which the work received a powerful psychological coloring. The work is still being performed on the best stages of the world, which indicates that the reform of the opera genre carried out by Gluck was of fundamental importance for the evolution of musical theater as a whole and determined the further development of opera in this direction.

The next stage of development

The Austrian composer Haydn also belongs to the famous galaxy of authors who have made a significant contribution toreformation of musical genres. He is best known as the creator of symphonies and quartets. Thanks to them, the maestro gained wide popularity not only in Central European countries, but also abroad. The most widely known are his works, which entered the world repertoire under the name "Twelve London Symphonies". They are distinguished by a sense of optimism and cheerfulness, which, however, is characteristic of almost all the works of this composer.

Features of creativity

A characteristic feature of the works of Joseph Haydn was their connection with folklore. In the works of the composer, one can often hear song and dance motifs, which made his work so recognizable. This reflected the attitude of the author, who imitated Mozart in many ways, considering him the best composer in the world. He borrowed joyful light melodies from him, which made his work unusually expressive and bright in sound.

Other works by the author

Haydn's operas are not as widely popular as his quartets and symphonies. Nevertheless, this musical genre occupies a prominent place in the work of the Austrian composer, so a number of his works of this kind should be mentioned, especially since they are a significant stage in his creative biography. One of his operas is called The Apothecary and was written for the opening of a new theatre. Haydn also created several more works of this kind for the new theater buildings. He wrote mainly in the style of the Italian buffa opera and sometimes combinedcomic and dramatic elements.

Most famous compositions

Haydn's quartets are rightly called the pearl of world classical music. They combine the main principles of the composer: elegance of form, virtuosity of performance, optimistic sound, thematic diversity and an original way of performance. One of the well-known cycles is called “Russian”, since it is dedicated to Tsarevich Pavel Petrovich, the future Russian Emperor Paul I. Another group of quartets is intended for the Prussian king. These compositions were written in a new manner, as they were distinguished by their extraordinary flexibility in sound, the richness of contrasting musical shades. It was with this type of musical genre that the name of the composer gained worldwide significance. It should also be noted here that the author often resorted to the so-called "surprises" in his compositions, making unexpected musical passages in places where the audience least expected it. Among such unusual compositions is Haydn's Children's Symphony.

General characteristics of Mozart's work

This is one of the most famous authors of music, who still enjoys extraordinary popularity among classical fans and is loved all over the world. The success of his writings is due to the fact that they are distinguished by logical harmony and completeness. In this regard, many researchers attribute his work to the era of classicism. However, others believe that the Viennese composer became a harbinger of romanticism: after all, in his works there was already a clear tendency to depict strong, extraordinary images, as well asdeep psychological study of the characters (we are talking about the opera in this case). Be that as it may, the maestro's works are distinguished by their depth and, at the same time, their extraordinary ease of perception, drama and optimism. They are easy and accessible to everyone, but at the same time very serious and philosophical in their content and sound. This is the phenomenon of his success.

Composer's operas

Viennese classical school played a decisive role in the development of the opera genre. A huge merit in this belongs to Mozart. Performances staged to his music are still very popular and loved not only by true music lovers, but also by the mass public. Perhaps this is the only composer whose music is somehow known to everyone, even if they have the remotest idea of his work.

The most famous opera is probably the Marriage of Figaro. This is probably the most cheerful and at the same time unusually funny work of the author. Humor sounds in almost every party, which provided him with such popularity. The famous aria of the protagonist the very next day became a real hit. Mozart's music - bright, playful, playful, but at the same time unusually wise in its simplicity - immediately won universal love and recognition.

Another famous opera by the author is Don Giovanni. In terms of popularity, it is perhaps not inferior to the aforementioned one: productions of this performance can be seen in our time. It is significant that the rather complexthe composer presented the story of this man in a very simple and at the same time serious form, thereby once again demonstrating his deep understanding of life. In this work, the musical genius managed to show both dramatic and optimistic components, which are inextricably linked in all his works.

In our time, the opera "Magic Flute" is no less famous. Mozart's music reached its apogee in its expressiveness. In this composition, it is light, airy, cheerful and at the same time unusually serious, so that one can only wonder how the author managed to convey an entire philosophical system in such simple, harmonious sounds. Other operas by the composer are also known, for example, at the present time you can periodically hear "The Mercy of Titus", both in the theater and in concert. Thus, the opera genre occupied one of the main places in the work of the brilliant composer.

Selected works

The composer worked in various directions and created a large number of musical works. Mozart, whose “Night Serenade”, for example, had long gone beyond concert performances and gained wide popularity, wrote in a very simple and accessible language. Perhaps that is why he is often called the genius of harmony. Even in the tragic works there was a motive of hope. In "Requiem" he expressed his thoughts about a better future life, so that, despite the tragic tone of the music, the work leaves a feeling of enlightened peace.

Mozart's concerto is also differentharmonious harmony and logical completeness. All parts are subject to a single theme and are united by a common motif that sets the tone for the whole work. Therefore, his music is listened to in one breath. In this type of genre, the main principles of the composer's work were embodied: a harmonious combination of sounds and parts, a light and at the same time virtuoso sound of the orchestra. No one else could build his musical work so harmoniously as Mozart. The composer's "Night Serenade" is a kind of standard for the harmonious combination of different-sounding parts. Cheerful and loud passages are very rhythmically replaced by barely audible virtuoso parts.

Separately, it should be said about the masses of the author. They occupy a prominent place in his work and, like other works, are imbued with a sense of bright hope and enlightened joy. Also worth mentioning is the famous "Turkish Rondo", which has gone beyond concert performances, so that it can often be heard even in television advertisements. But the Mozart concerto, perhaps, has the greatest sense of harmony, in which the principle of logical completeness has reached its highest degree.

Briefly about Beethoven's work

This composer belongs entirely to the era of the dominance of romanticism. If Johann Amadeus Mozart stands, as it were, on the threshold of classicism and a new direction, then Ludwig van Beethoven completely switched to depicting strong passions, powerful feelings and outstanding personalities in his works. He became perhaps the most prominent representative of romanticism. Significant is the factthat, turning to dramatic, tragic themes, he wrote only one opera. The main genre for him remained symphonies and sonatas. He is credited with reforming these works, just as Gluck reformed the opera performance in his time.

A striking feature of the composer's work was that the main theme of his works was the image of a powerful, titanic will of a person who, with a huge effort of will, overcomes difficulties and all obstacles. Also, L. V. Beethoven devoted a lot of space in his compositions to the theme of struggle and confrontation, as well as to the motive of universal unity.

Some biography facts

He came from a family of musicians. His father wanted the boy to become a famous composer, so he worked with him, resorting to rather harsh methods. Perhaps that is why the child grew up gloomy and harsh by nature, which subsequently affected his work. Beethoven worked and lived in Vienna, where he studied with Haydn, but these studies very quickly disappointed both the student and the teacher. The latter drew attention to the fact that the young author was dominated by rather gloomy motives, which was not accepted at that time.

Beethoven's biography also briefly tells about the period of his enthusiasm for the liberation struggle. At first he accepted the Napoleonic Wars with enthusiasm, but later, when Bonaparte proclaimed himself emperor, he abandoned the idea of writing a symphony in his honor. In 1796, Ludwig began to lose his hearing. However, this did not interrupt his creative activity. Already completely deaf, hewrote his famous 9th symphony, which became a real masterpiece in the world musical repertoire. Beethoven's biography (it is impossible to talk briefly about this) also contains information about the maestro's friendship with prominent people of his time. Despite his reserved and harsh character, the composer was friends with Weber, Goethe and other figures of the Classical era.

Most famous works

It has already been said above that a characteristic feature of L. V. Beethoven's work was the desire to depict strong, emotional characters, the struggle of passions, overcoming difficulties. Among the works of this genre, Appassionata is especially distinguished, which, in terms of the intensity of feelings and emotions, is perhaps one of the strongest. When the composer was asked about the idea of its creation, he referred to Shakespeare's play "The Tempest", which, according to him, served as a source of inspiration. The author drew a parallel between the motifs of titanic impulses in the playwright's work and his own musical interpretation of this theme.

One of the author's most popular works is the "Moonlight Sonata", which, on the contrary, is imbued with a sense of harmony and peace, as if in opposition to the dramatic melody of his symphonies. It is indicative that the very name of this work was given by the composer's contemporaries, perhaps because the music resembled sea overflows on a quiet night. It was these associations that arose in the majority of listeners when listening to this sonata. No less, and perhaps even more popular is the famous essay "For Elise",which the composer dedicated to the wife of the Russian Emperor Alexander I, Elizaveta Alekseevna (Louise). This composition strikes with an amazing combination of light motives and serious dramatic passages in the middle. A special place in the work of the maestro is occupied by his only opera "Fidelio" (translated as "Faithful" from Italian). This work, like many others, is imbued with the pathos of love of freedom and a call for freedom. "Fidelio" still does not leave the stages of the leading opera houses of the world, although the opera received recognition, as it almost always happens, not immediately.

Ninth Symphony

This composition is perhaps the most famous among the other works of the composer. It was written three years before his death, in 1824. The Ninth Symphony completes the composer's long and many years of searching for the creation of a perfect symphonic work. It differs from all previous ones in that, firstly, it introduced a choral part (to the famous "Ode to Joy" by F. Schiller), and secondly, in it the composer reformed the structure of the symphonic genre. The main theme is gradually revealed through each part of the work. The beginning of the symphony is rather gloomy, heavy, but even then a distant motive of reconciliation and enlightenment sounds, which grows as the musical composition develops. Finally, in the very finale, a rather powerful choral vocal sounds, calling on all the people of the world to unite. Thus, the composer emphasized the main idea of his work even more. He wanted his thought to be expressed as clearly as possible, so he did not limit himself only to music, butintroduced the performance of singers. The symphony was a resounding success: at the first performance, the audience gave the composer a standing ovation. It is indicative that L. V. Beethoven composed it when he was already completely deaf.

Meaning of the Viennese school

Gluck, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven became the founders of classical music, having a huge impact on the entire subsequent musical history of not only Europe, but also the world. The importance of these composers and their contribution to the reformation of the musical theater can hardly be overestimated. Working in a variety of genres, they created the backbone and form of works, on the basis of which their followers composed new works. Many of their creations have long gone beyond concert performances and have been widely heard in films and on television. "Turkish Rondo", "Moonlight Sonata" and many other works by these authors are known not only to music lovers, but even to those who are not familiar with classical music. The Vienna stage in the development of the classics is rightly called by many researchers the decisive one in the history of music, since it was during this period that the main principles for creating and writing operas, symphonies, sonatas and quartets were laid.