Music History: Medieval to 20th Century Key Periods & Styles

Plainchant

also known as plainsong, a form of monophonic vocal music typically sung in Latin and a cappella. Usually sacred liturgical music.

Gregorian Chant

a form of sacred church music that and a type of plainchant. Is typically sung in Latin, can be monophonic, homophonic, or polyphonic in texture. Based mostly in Roman Catholic Church traditions. Restricted in leaps of intervals between notes (often notes are in "step-wise" motion). Is usually free-form (non-metered) and lacks rhythmic complexity.

Sacred Music

music created and performed for liturgy, worship, or other religious purposes. Can also be inspired by one's religious beliefs.

Secular music

Any music that is not composed for religious purposes or subject matter, focusing on topics of a non-religious nature.

Baroque Period

1600 - 1750

Origin of Baroque Period

Italy

Major Composers of Baroque Period

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750), George Frederic Handel (1685 - 1759), Antonio Vivaldi (1678 - 1741)

Preceded By

Renaissance Period (1400s - 1600s)

Key Instruments of Baroque Period

Violin, Harpsichord, Organ

New Genres of Baroque Period

Opera, concerto, sonata, cantata, oratorio, fugue

Dances of Baroque Period

Gavotte, Minuet, Gigue, Bourrée

Musical Characteristics of Baroque Period

Shift by composers towards more instrument-oriented writing, early development of String quartet format, beginnings of early small ensemble and orchestra, complex polyphonic writing, counterpoint, heavy use of musical ornamentations.

Classical Period

1750 - 1820/1827/1830

Origin of Classical Period

No specific geographical origin. Vienna, Italy, was a musical hub for the Classical period.

Major Composers of Classical Period

Joseph Haydn (1732 - 1809), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 - 1791), Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827)

Key Instruments of Classical Period

Violin, Piano (early fortepiano)

New Genres of Classical Period

String Quartet, Symphony, concerto, sonata, opera

Musical Characteristics of Classical Period

Rejection of Baroque Period complexity, move towards simpler compositional writing with less emphasis on polyphonic writing and ornamentation, inspiration from ideals of ancient antiquity, stricter musical forms, greater interest in large public concerts, standardization of the orchestra and its sections.

Increase in orchestra size

Refers to the expansion of the number of musicians in an orchestra.

Romantic Period

A musical era from 1820 to 1910 characterized by expressive, individualistic, and emotional music.

Some Major Composers of Romantic Period

Pyotr Tchaikovsky (1840 - 1893), Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), Felix Mendelssohn (1809 - 1847).

Key Instruments of Romantic Period

Includes many different instruments, particularly piano, violin, and cello.

New Genres of Romantic Period

Includes Tone Poem, rhapsody, various folk dances, ballet, nocturnes, program music, song cycles, and waltz.

Musical Characteristics of Romantic Period

Heavily expressive, individualistic, emotional, and dramatic music.

New instruments in Romantic Period

Included piccolo, tuba, and exotic percussive instruments.

Greater dynamic contrasts

Refers to the increased differences in loudness and softness in musical pieces.

Heavier use of chromaticism

Refers to the increased use of notes outside the standard scale in compositions.

Inspired by ideals of Nationalism

Refers to the incorporation of folk songs and traditions into concert music to express national identity.

Influenced by cultural shifts

Refers to the impact of humanism and focus on human nature and affairs in music.

Preoccupation with human mortality and fate

Refers to the themes of human existence and surrender to nature in music.

More elaborate harmonic progressions

Refers to the complexity and instability of harmonies in compositions.

20th Century Period

A musical era from 1901/1910 to 2000 with no particular geographical origin.

Some Major Composers of 20th Century

Claude Debussy (1862 - 1918), Dmitri Shostakovich (1906 - 1975), Gustav Holst (1874 - 1934), Sergei Prokofiev (1891 - 1953).

Preceded By in 20th Century

The Romantic Period (1820 - 1910) came before the 20th Century Period.

Key Instruments of 20th Century

Includes many different instruments, including electronic instruments like synthesizers and theremins.

New Genres of 20th Century

Includes Impressionism and Minimalism, focusing on mood, atmosphere, and minimal harmony.

Musical Characteristics of 20th Century

Abandonment of traditional tonality for atonality and democratization of notes.

Polytonality

The use of two or more keys simultaneously in music.

Unconventional meters

Refers to the use of unusual time signatures like 5/4, 32/16, and 4/1.

Inspired by ideas of Modernist movement

Refers to the rejection of traditional formats in favor of experimentation and abstraction.

Blues and Jazz influences

Refers to the crossover of these genres into 20th-century classical music.