A Brief Overview of Music History

1. A Brief Overview of Music History

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.