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Period: 500 to 1400
Medieval Music
This period of music being the longest runs from the time of the fall of the Western Roman Empire to the beginning of the Renaissance. -
600
Music Styles- Medieval
The majority of music was a single melody line, also called monophonic (meaning "one sound"). While the development of music that had more than one melody played at the same time, called polyphonic music (meaning "many sounds") did not come to light til the end of this era and started the foundation of the Renaissance styles of music.
Most notated manuscripts from the Medieval period came from the church or places connected to the church, and so most pieces have a religious subject. -
850
Gregorian Chant (Monophonic)
Gregorian chant, consisting of a single line of vocal melody, unaccompanied in free rhythm was one of the most common forms of medieval music.
This is not surprising, given the importance of the Catholic church during the period. The Mass was and still to this day is a ceremony where this is spoken and sung.
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Period: 1400 to
Renaissance Music
The word “Renaissance” is a French term meaning “rebirth”.
It is used to describe an age of new discoveries and exploration.
New styles and techniques developed, whilst there was also a “rebirth” of interest in ancient culture as artists and composers often drew on inspiration from Ancient Greece and Rome.
Music was also very religious based in this era as well. -
1450
Sacred Music
Early Renaissance music was dominated by the Latin Mass due to the supremacy of the Catholic church.
As a result, the sacred music was mostly polyphonic masses and motets in Latin for use in church.
Modal counterpoint was the dominant composition technique.
Although there was a steady movement away from the church as humanistic thought increased, churches remained very important places for training musicians and singers.
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1550
Secular Music
Secular music in the early Renaissance was very dependent upon the courts, which could finance and support musicians.
Secular Renaissance music was mostly vocal music.
Secular songs, such as the chanson, the madrigal and the German Lied (pronounced “Leed”) were very popular.
As the period progressed, the secular music pushed the boundaries a bit more and laid the foundation for functional harmony (major and minor keys).
Info on German Lied
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Period: to
Baroque Music
Baroque Music is the period of time from 1600-1750. It was a time of great musical development as famous Baroque composers, such as Bach (his death in 1750 is typically seen as being the end of the Baroque Period), -
Baroque Music Characteristics
Baroque music is also characterised by an increased emphasis on contrast.
This is heard in a number of ways:
- loud and quiet dynamics (volume) – Baroque composers used terraced dynamics – this is where the volume of the music changes abruptly rather than through a gradual crescendo/diminuendo. You can often hear this effect between the quieter solo and louder tutti sections of a concerto grosso.
- solo and ensemble instrumentation (e.g. in the concerto),
- different instrumental timbres/sounds. -
Period: to
Classical Music
The Classical period of music is from 1750 to 1830.
Classicism was a stylistic development in mid 1700s across the arts and architecture which was hugely influenced by the ancient “classical” world, and in particular Ancient Greece. -
Music Characteristics
It was characterised by simple, clear structure and divisions. Whilst the word Baroque literally means “strange/weird”, classical very much conveys a sense of balance and “order”.
The French term “style galant”, literally meaning “elegant style” or “light elegance” is very helpful in understanding much of the Classical Period. -
Musical Features
There are a number of “fingerprints” you should look out for when identifying music of the classical period:
- Balanced phrasing with clear cadences. Click here
- Homophonic: Texture Classical music is typically constructed of a melody line with a chord based accompaniment.
-Alberti bass: This is a style of accompaniment that you will come across a lot in classical music pieces. -
Period: to
Romantic Music
The Romantic period of music is from 1830 to 1900.
The Romantic period was a time where composers, artists and authors moved away from the formal restraint of the Classical period. -
Key Features
Emotional expression – composers rebelled against the formal restraint of the classical period.
Big expansion in size of orchestra and in types of instrument.
New structures/forms – rhapsody, nocturne, song cycle
Increasingly elaborate harmonic progressions
Longer melodies than classical period
Bigger range of dynamics
Larger range in pitch (could be played by piano).
Nationalism in music – some composers sought to use their compositions to celebrate their countries -
Example of Romantic Period Music
Have a listen to this Piano Sonata in B minor by Franz Liszt. Click Here
