Music Eras

When was the Baroque Era?

1600-1750

Main composer of the Baroque Era

Bach

main features of baroque music

-use of ornaments - embellishment (to decorate the melody)
-short melodies, usually sequenced (triplets)
-terraced dynamics - stepping from one dynamic to another
-energetic rhythmic movement
- rhythm - steady/regular
Instrumented: -orchestra of mainly strings and main use of harpsichord, basso continuo and organ
Works:religious/mass/oratorios/opera/suite/concertos
Texture: polyphonic
Composer: Bach
Terraced:

When was the Classical Era?

1750-1830

Main composers of the Classical Era

Mozart, Beethoven

main features of classical music

description: melodies less complex with clear balanced phrases
-functional harmony
- simple, elegant, greatful
-texture: mainly homophonic
-rhythm: steady
-variety and contrast in dynamics and mood
-less dependence on the harpsichord and basso continuo
-bigger orchestra more colour from woodwind, brass and clarinets appeared at times
Work: string cortet, violin, viola, operas, masses, solo pieces

When was the Romantic Era?

1830 1900

main composers of the romantic era?

Tchaikovsky

main features of romantic music

Description: dramatic,emotive,descriptive
music grew closer to art, literature and theatre
Melody’s: -lyrical melodies with thematic ideas
Rhythm: greater rhythmic freedom
Dynamics: expressive with more variation in dynamics. Dramatic contrasts between dynamics and pitch
-greater rhythmic freedom
-richer harmonies, chromaticism, added chords, key changes
-pentatonic and modal ideas
-bigger orchestra - brass section

monophonic texture

one line of music - no accompaniment

polyphonic texture

more than one tune played at once, interweaving at the same time.
imitation - one instrument copies another
counterpoint - two or more melodies heard In combination

homophonic texture

one main melody accompanied by chords or layers playing in harmony

perfect cadence

V-I sounds final and complete
Also known as So - do

plagal cadence

IV-I sounds complete but not as strong, used for the amen at the end of hymns Fa - Do

imperfect cadence

I/ii/IV ends on V, sounds unfinished - imperfect

interrupted cadence

V - VI

concerto grosso

small group of soloists and orchestra

harmonic pace

rate at which chords change

augmentation

lengthening the duration of the notes

diminishing

shortening the duration of the notes

suite

collection of short instrumental pieces, often dances

ostinato

musical pattern repeated many times

syncopation

off beat

drone

repeated note held throughout a passage of music

pedal

held /repeated note against changing harmonies

broken chords

chord played as separate notes

motifs

A short melodic or rhythmic idea that has a distinctive character

modulation

the process of changing from one key to another

improvisation

when music is created as it is being performed

riff

short motif or pattern which is repeated in the music

allegro/vivace

fast/lively

allegretto

moderately fast

moderato/andante

at a moderate pace, at a walking pace

adagio/lento

slow

accelerando

gradually faster