Music History: Medieval to Romantic Era Key Compositions and Forms

Countess of Dia, I Must Sing

Medieval Era (12th century), composed by a trobairitz. It is a secular canso (lofty love song) in strophic form, known for its bar form (A A B).

Hildegard of Bingen, "O Strength of Wisdom"

Medieval Era (12th century), a religious work (chant). It is an antiphon known for its larger ranges, greater complexity, and use of text painting compared to Gregorian chant.

Josquin des Prez, Ave Maria... Virgo serena

Renaissance Era (late 15th century), sacred motet. Features masterful imitative polyphony where voices echo each other, with shifts to homophony for clarity.

Tomás Luis de Victoria, O magnum mysterium

Renaissance Era (published 1572), sacred motet of the Counter-Reformation. Known for mystical intensity, using both polyphony and hushed, homophonic chordal passages for drama.

Giovanni da Palestrina, Pope Marcellus Mass

Renaissance Era (c. 1562-1563), sacred Mass Ordinary setting. Famous for demonstrating that complex polyphony could still allow for clear text intelligibility (often using a homophonic texture).

Claudio Monteverdi, "Tu se' morta" from L'Orfeo

Early Baroque Era (1607), from one of the first great operas. It is an example of recitative with basso continuo, illustrating Seconda pratica (prioritizing text/emotion).

J.S. Bach, Fugue in G minor

Baroque Era, genre is a Fugue. Technique uses distinct voices to carry a main theme (subject), alternating between sections called exposition and episodes.

J.S. Bach, Sleepers, Wake (7th movement)

Baroque Era (1731), a chorale cantata for Lutheran services. The 7th movement uses the chorale melody and text, following an A A B form.

J.S. Bach, Cello Suite (Courante / Sarabande)

Baroque Era, part of an influential solo work collection. Each movement is in binary form (A A B B). Courante is a quick dance; Sarabande is a slow, stately dance with dotted rhythms.

Joseph Haydn, String Quartet, Op. 33, No. 2 "The Joke" (4th movement)

Classical Era (1781), a String Quartet. The 4th movement is a Rondo, nicknamed "The Joke" for its witty ending with false endings and long pauses.

W.A. Mozart, The Marriage of Figaro

Classical Era (1786), an opera buffa (comic opera). Known for its blend of social critique, witty drama, and complex musical ensembles.

W.A. Mozart, The Magic Flute

Classical Era (1791), a German Singspiel (opera with spoken dialogue). It blends high-art opera with popular theater, incorporating themes of fantasy and Freemasonry.

Ludwig van Beethoven, Symphony No. 5 (1st movement)

Classical/Early Romantic Era (c. 1804-1808), a seminal symphony. The 1st movement is in Sonata-Allegro form and is famous for its powerful, four-note opening motif.