What are the standards of classical music?
What are the standards of classical music? The word "classical" itself contains the concepts of balance, moderation, simplicity and refinement. These concepts may be used, for example, in "classical" architecture, but are not an adequate expression of classical style, whose music can be stormy and complex in content and form. Simply put, classical styles refer to those styles that can be heard in the music of the greatest and most famous composers of the 18th century, Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven. So, what are the basic elements that distinguish their music from the Baroque music that preceded it and the Romantic music that followed?
Part of the reason for the unprecedented character of classical style is historical. One thing is certain: if a national tendency appeared in the classical style, it would have surprised the composers in the mid-18th century, because it did not appear until the 19th and 20th centuries. Although they recognized that their work formed a strong contrast with the works of the late Baroque, the gradual process was slower than the historical motivation.
Perhaps the use of sonata form is the most typical feature of classical music. This form is used in many works of the late 18th century and uses the same basic method of organizing musical materials, but it serves as the mainstay of an entire generation. The musical form was used until the decline of the classical music school and provided inspiration for many composers in the Romantic period.
Never have classical composers described sonata form so thoroughly as we do now. What's more, mid-18th-century composers loved to play with the concept of expression. Mozart provides an important clue to his creative intentions in a letter to his father, when he said of the creation of his piano concerto: "A happy medium between the extremely difficult and the extremely easy, both of which are extremely brilliant." It is sweet, and very natural and smooth. There are some passages in the music from time to time, which connoisseurs can find satisfaction; but these passages are not written in a profound way to avoid being too high-pitched. "Easy to understand is the vitality of Mozart's music.
The development of simple and easy-to-understand musical language is closely related to the ideas of the Enlightenment in the 18th century. It provides a clue as to why something must have happened: around 1740, an impatience with the supposedly obscure traditional methods of the old school developed. This traditional method emphasized the counterpoint technique of composition. The composers at that time hoped to write some simple music with open harmony (the positions of the notes in the chord are arranged as scattered harmonies). But the most important thing is not to confuse the mainstream development of classical style. Because by the time of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven, these revolutionary changes had already been absorbed into the musical language: one can see this evolution in Haydn's early symphonies, and (from a completely different perspective) in Mozart's seen in the symphony. Moreover, another important feature of the mature classical style (obviously it is what confuses us) is the return to the contrapuntal principles of the heyday of the Baroque.
In classical style music, the idea of ??contrast is an essential feature, as described in sonata form, where an "intense" first theme contrasts with an often restrained second theme. Although there are many famous examples in late Baroque music, the concept of strong contrast is extremely important. Such as the dramatic ensembles in Handel's oratorios and operas. On the other hand, within the category of classical style can also be found works that almost abandon the concept of contrast in a given movement in favor of the expression of consistency: many movements in Handel's symphonies and string quartets, Considered to be monothematic, or built upon a theme. Sometimes they may appear to be dynamically contrasting but actually maintain the unity of the musical material, contradicting our simplistic understanding of classical style. Other examples can be found in the smooth and melodic movements of some of Mozart's early piano concertos.
If there is a criterion that distinguishes classical and baroque music structures, then it must be the use of pitch or key, which is the dramatic element in the work.
Composers of the classical music school established a new set of expression techniques using dialogue and balance between different main tones. For example, much of the novelty in the Haydn quartet movements comes from when the listener's attention is directed to expect to hear a certain key, but instead hears another key. There is also rhythmic novelty and melody novelty, but the important way to express this kind of novelty is through the contrast between tonality.
We don’t have to be overly rational like the critics of the 19th century, but as long as we grasp the essence of this tonal composition, the basic driving force for classical style will be clear at a glance. We can immediately see how broad its scope is, because the range of possibilities for tonal coordination is very large; but it is also limited, because the rich chromatic harmony has not yet been developed, and chromatic harmony will come quickly. Gradually developed into a technique that dominated Romantic music.
Thus, we can see that although the classical style is an expressive style that can express strong and passionate emotions as well as lyrical and rich emotions, it is always subject to conventional restrictions. At the end of the 18th century, the music of the great composers was organized under these conventions, but always followed these conventions. In this sense, understanding classical style is more important than any formal description.
What is "light music"?
"Light music" is a variety in the category of music. To put it figuratively, it is a light weapon in music, roughly the same as essays, jokes, lyric poems, etc. in literature. It is lightweight, popular, compact, easy to understand and easy to accept. It is in sharp contrast to large-scale art forms such as symphony, concerto, cantata, and orchestral music. Among the people, light music is very popular and has extensive social significance and spiritual effects. However, among the works in the form of light music, there are also many works that are low-level and pornographic. Therefore, in terms of the political content of light music, some are good and some are bad, some are progressive and some are backward.
There are many types of light music, including general life songs, lyrical songs, witty songs, and satirical songs, as well as some operettas, waltzes, small orchestral overtures, serenades, and some orchestral sketches and movies. Songs, dance music, etc.
The style and characteristics of light music are more lively and interesting than other forms of music, especially its tunes are particularly beautiful. Some symphonies, orchestral music, cantata and other works often need the help of technical means such as harmony, orchestration, polyphony and so on. In addition to this, light music also relies more importantly on the beauty of the melody. Therefore, light music has stricter requirements for beautiful and light tunes than other music forms. A lyrical song should be graceful and euphemistic; a waltz must have a distinct rhythm and melodious tone; a humorous song should give people a joyful and joyful infection; and a satirical song should be spicy and sharp. The unique performance characteristics of these light music also form its own style.