For the Classical Era, I chose a piece that many people have heard before, Mozart’s 40th Symphony. Mozart’s full name is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and was born in Salzburg on January 27, 1756. He created over 600 pieces of work and was a very influential composer of the Classical era. He composed a wide range of music including symphony, opera, the solo concerto, and numerous more. Mozart created the 40th Symphony in 1788 but it is not stated exactly where he wrote it at.
The piece is a symphony and has 4 movements. The first movement is fast and dramatic. The second movement is more slow and contemplative. The third movement is livelier and has more dance-like music. The last movement is fast, lively and exciting. This connects with the rise of the middle class because this is the type of music that appealed to them. As the middle class was rising, more people were able to enjoy public concerts and listen to music. The rise of the middle class influenced the symphony style work. They wanted a melody driven music not the polyphonic type anymore.
The 40th Symphony is actually a dark and depressing piece. When I think of classical music, I think of exciting, powerful music. I enjoy this piece because to me it still sounds exciting and powerful but because it is out of anger and not happiness which is not what I expected. During the time Mozart wrote this, he had to deal with his growing poverty and fading popularity with the Viennese public and marital strains. As Alfred Einstein says, “The first and last movements plunge into the abyss of the soul.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfgang_Amadeus_Mozart
Your post provided alot of useful information. I felt as though you addressed all of the questions asked. You provided background on the composer himself, how this related to the rise of the middle class and your personal feeling towards this piece. I would have to say good job. I felt as though there were no questions after reading this because you addressed them all. I really enjoyed your explanations of the movements.
Very nice Blog! You had a lot of information that explained all the factual information you needed to convey, your feelings toward the music and a nice connection between Classical music and the rise of the middle class.
I personally do not care for this piece of music it is so depressing to me. I totally agree with Einsteins quote!
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Good Job on your Blog. You seem to have hit all the points that were needed, from Mozarts history to the structure of the piece.