Opera in both comic and tragic forms is commonplace with Italian as the principal language. The Piano replaces the harpsichord as the preferred keyboard instrument leading the way to the abundance of wonderful solo sonatas, concertos and additional works for the instrument. That, in turn, facilitates the evolution of ‘sonata form’ as a crucial musical structure that allowed composers to more fully explore and exploit their ideas. The orchestra itself grows in size to around 60 players by the end of the period.Īs the build quality of instruments advances, the rise of the virtuoso performer/composer becomes a feature of the period. The Symphony as a musical concept is created from the ‘suite’ and orchestral music is truly formed. During this period the Concerto and Sonata became dominant musical forms as the developments in instrumental music and instruments, progresses. Composers of the time looked back to the principles of the Ancient Greeks, for example, modelling their compositions on regular, measured principles. The complexities and frills of Baroque music were gradually replaced by music that was streamlined, uncluttered and with an increasing focus on musical development. The Classical Period of Music came in direct opposition to the Baroque. Key composers: JS Bach Vivaldi Handel Albinoni Purcell Monteverdi Scarlatti Corelli. The ‘fugue’ as a polyphonic composition became extremely popular allowing the textural and harmonic complexities of composers ideas to be fully explored in new and exciting ways. Keyboard music other than organ music grew through the harpsichord and the works of Bach. In this period of music, the orchestra began all be it with modest forces of around 25 players. Musical structure developed directly from the work of Renaissance composers and included the Suites, Sonatas Concertos Concerto Grosso Masses Oratorios and Opera. Sacred and secular music were of equal importance. Similar to the art and architecture of the time, Baroque music was opulent, ornate and gilt-edged. Instead, a move began towards the tonal system we know well today. Towards the end of the Renaissance period ‘modality’ began to break down. Key composers: Ockeghem Josquin des Prez Thomas Tallis Palestrina Byrd Gibbons John Dowland. This modality was in sharp contrast to the earlier music of the Medieval Period and supported the new complexities of polyphony allowing composers to fully exploit their ideas without restrictions from the Church. New forms of secular music mirrored life at Court with elaborate dances from across Europe and a diverse and colourful harmony based on modes. Choral music still was a dominant force and from this period came some of the most elaborately beautiful music ever composed. Suites of music written only of instrumental groups became established. ![]() Alongside the emergence of new musical instruments came the popularity with composers of purely instrumental compositions. With the rise of the Medici family in Italy, the violin developed from the viol, and the world of Art exploded in a literal rebirth. Polyphonic music, as well as instrumental music, became firmly established. The Renaissance Period was one of the most exciting in Western Musical History. ![]() Key composers include Hildegard von Bingen Leonin Perotin Guillaume de Machaut Dufay. These interesting performers journeyed widely in Europe singing songs mostly about heroic deeds and courtly love. Secular music flourished in the form of music from travelling musicians called Troubadours. Plainchant, often referred to as Gregorian Chant after Pope Gregory the first, allowed the voices to sing the settings of the Latin text in parallel octaves and fifths that corresponded to the natural range of male voices. This, as the music developed through the period, gave rise to the beginnings ‘polyphonic’ (many sounds/melodies at once) music through what is known as ‘plainchant’. Settings of the Latin texts would have been largely monophonic, meaning a single line of melody, that was intended to be sung by men. Much of the music of the period centred around the Holy Christian Church with early sacred music being used to serve Biblical texts. Brief History of Classical Music and Classical Music Periodsįar from the often dull and dark impression that films present of this period of Western History, the abundance of music, poetry and art was richly impressive. ![]() In this article, I am going to explore these key periods of music and highlight some of their musical features and their most prolific composers. The history of Western Classical Music can be broadly divided into the following periods Medieval Renaissance Baroque Classical Romantic and Modern. Brief History of Classical Music, Classical Music Periods
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