A Brief Overview of Music History

Musical Eras

• The development of music, like art and literature, is usually broken down into spans of time that share similar qualities.

• In music, these are the…– Medieval era– Renaissance era– Baroque era– Classical* era– Romantic era– 20th Century, etc

Medieval Era

• Spans from around the 3rd century to the 15th century.

• Used simple instruments – stringed instruments, simple flutes, etc

• Emphasis on sacred music• Musical lines were often flowing and very

horizontal in style.

Renaissance Era

• Growing desire to formalize the styles being written, and so order and form was valued.

• Most music was still written for the church, though secular works and styles were more common.

• Multiple voice compositions arose more commonly in sacred compositions within the church.

Baroque Era

• Many of the forms established in the Renaissance were varied and expanded, with ornate embellishment and improvisation becoming much more prevalent.

• The complexity of the music being written increased significantly.

• J.S. Bach was the defining composer both secular and sacred music - chorales and fugues. His work deeply influenced many composers that came after him, even today.

Classical Era

• In reaction to the decadence of the Baroque era, Classical era composers favoured efficiency and form.

• Developments in instrument manufacturing allowed for greater virtuosity for the performers, which the composers took advantage of in their writing.

• Large ensembles typically numbered from 30-40 players.

Classical Era cont…

• During this era, established guidelines for the large-scale works, including the sonata, concertos and symphonies, were formed.

• Sonata-Allegro form, in particular, is one of the most influential developments of that era.

• Masters of these forms in that era include Franz Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert and, near the end of the era, Ludwig Van Beethoven.