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The Mannheim School and the Development of the Classical Symphony
Introduction
The symphony, as we know it today, is over 250 years old. The Italian, French, and German equivalents of the term symphony (sinfonia, symphonie, and Sinfonie) are actually much older. ... According to Don Michael Randel, the word symphony is derived from the Latin word symphonia meaning "sounding together". The following definition provides a brief explanation of the word symphony as defined in the The New Harvard Dictionary of Music. ...
Even by today’s standards, it is very difficult to define the word symphony. In part, this may be due to the long complicated history of the symphony as it eventually became detached from the vocal genres. It also complicated to define because our current knowledge of repertoire for the first 50 years of the developing symphony is still incomplete. ... Many efforts have been successful in understanding the development of the symphony, but there is still much that remains to be accomplished. The purpose of this paper is to uncover what we currently know about the origins of the symphony, discover the Mannheim School influence on the Classical symphony, and look at some examples of the Mannheim style that contributed to the symphony.
Origins of the Symphony
The most common explanation for the advent of the symphony is the transfer of the three-movement opera overture or sinfonia from the opera theatre to the chamber. ... It is very likely that the name symphony came from the Italian opera overtures labeled sinfonias. The words symphony and overture became synonymous. ... It represents a very simple binary form with little variety or thematic development. ... The immediate repetition of material is also typical of the Classical period. ... Another style trait typical of the Classical period is the contrast of forte and piano in a question-and-answer relationship. ... With the exception of the small size of this piece, it is very similar to the mature symphonies of the Classical period. This may represent how close in idiom the opera and symphony were in the eighteenth century.
According to the New Grove Dictionary of Music Online, much research on the early symphony beginning in the 1950’s has challenged the notion of the sinfonie being the only known predecessor to the symphony. ... The sonata da chiesa is one example of a genre that may have influenced the symphony. ...
The sonata da camera and other types of suites, especially for the orchestra, provided a binary form model for the symphony. ...
Even more related to the early symphony is the ripieno concerto. ... The most significant difference between the ripieno concerto and the early concert symphony is with the first movements. ... After the 1730’s, the genre gradually merged with the symphony a 4. ...
Introduction to Mannheim
Elector Carl Philipp moved his court in 1720 from Heidelberg to Mannheim. ...
The Mannheim School
The composers who wrote for the orchestra were often referred to as members of the Mannheim school. ... The first generation of composers at Mannheim was clearly dominated by Johann Stamitz. ...
The Mannheim Orchestra
Mannheim is best known for orchestral music, and especially the symphony. The Mannheim orchestra was featured in two concerts each week as one of the three types of evening entertainment. Anyone visiting Mannheim could be admitted free to the concerts as standees. ... The Mannheim orchestra became famous in the 1750’s for using control of expression, sensitivity, precision, and gradation of tone. ... Charles Burney was impressed by the orchestra on his travels through Mannheim. ...
The Mannheim orchestra was very large for this period in history. ... The total number of musicians remained consistent until 1778 when the court left Mannheim for Munich. The Mannheim orchestra was about twice the size of Haydn’s orchestra at Eszterháza.
Contributions of the Mannheim School to the Symphony
The addition of a minuet and trio to the original three-movement symphony is one of Mannheim’s biggest contributions. The minuet and trio occupied the third movement of a four-movement symphony. ... Johann Stamitz standardized the four-movement symphony with the majority of his works after 1745 employing it.
Approximate Word count = 3344
Approximate Pages = 13.4
(250 words per page double spaced)
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