Introduction to Music History Year 12

Lesson Objective: To know the different periods in the progression of western classical music and to understand how musical characteristics developed through this time. Initial Questions: When did music begin? Why do we talk about ‘western’ and ‘non-western’ musics? Is there a clear definition between popular music and classical music?

Timeline – Western Music Dates Musical Period Historical events Pre-1600 The Renaissance Period The Tudor period – Henry VIII etc. 1600-1750 The Baroque Period Louis XIV in France, several European conflicts including the Franco-Dutch Wars 1750-1810 The Classical Period The Georgian Era 1810-1900 The Romantic Period The Victorian Era 1900-2000 The Twentieth Century The Edwardian Era Post WW1/Pre WW2/Post WW2 1920’s Jazz Music (Mainly in America) Prohibition The Great Depression

The Renaissance Period Dates: 1400 (arguable) – 1600 The renaissance period encompassed all forms of art and culture, not just music – a key feature of many periods. Music was liberated from the constraints of medievalism and became a vehicle for personal expression, no longer being expected to follow pre-determined rules. The development of printing meant that music could be distributed on a mass scale and allowed the dissemination of music across the continent. As a result music started to develop as a form of entertainment, and something that amateur musicians could take part in.

Musical Features: Music based on modes – the fore-runner of modern tonality Textures of four or more parts Blending parts in the musical textures Harmony focusing more on the flow of chordal progressions. Genres of renaissance music include: Sacred: Mass, Motet Secular: Madrigal, Chanson Both instrumental and vocal music was popular

Composers: Palestrina Lassus Byrd Dowland

The Baroque Period: Dates: 1600-1750 Like the renaissance period the baroque period encompassed all art forms. Baroque culture was characterised by being very elaborate, the name actually meaning ‘misshapen pearl’ Baroque music developed out of a rejection of polyphony, focusing more on ancient Greek textures of monody (melody and continuo)

Musical features Use of the harpsichord Much elaboration of melodies using ornamentation Basso Continuo Use of Monody and Homophony Development of western tonality Introduction of dramatic music forms More linear melodies emerging More idiomatic writing for the different instruments.

Composers J.S. Bach G. F. Handel A. Vivaldi Bach came from a very musical family – many of the were also musicians!

The Classical Period Dates: 1750-1810 Musicians during this time started to try and emulate the styles of classical antiquity and particularly that of Ancient Greece. This led to a focus on simplicity and clear divisions between parts. Vienna was the centre of this movement

Musical Features: Mainly homophonic – ‘cleaner’ texture Greater variety of key, dynamics and rhythms used. Shorter melodies with clear-cut phrases Importance of instrumental music – the orchestra increased in size Introduction of the piano and clarinet Popularity of comic opera Development of large-scale structures such as sonata form.

Composers Joseph Haydn W.A. Mozart Beethoven Beethoven forms a link between the classical and Romantic periods – he was writing music in both.

The Romantic Period Dates: 1810-1900 This period saw a massive expansion in the orchestra and pieces composed. Composers started to move away from established rules and routines The period does not necessarily focus on Romantic love though it can do. It focuses rather on any strong emotion. Nationalist pride was also important

Musical Features: Emphasis on lyrical melodies Greater tonal and rhythmic ambiguity Denser textures and an expansion of the orchestra Closer links with other arts More technical virtuosity – the performer as genius (Liszt/Paganini) Use of recurring themes to give more shape to the pieces More variety in types of pieces.

Composers Liszt Chopin Berlioz Schubert

The Twentieth Century Dates: 1900-2000 The 20th Century is a slightly ambiguous term as there are many different types of music which come under the heading of ‘20th Century’. (Though this is the case with all different periods of music, it is more defined with the 20th Century) During this period of musical history, composers started to divorce with the prior structures and features of romanticism and became increasingly experimental.

Some key forms of 20th Century music Minimalism Serialism Neoclassicism Aleatoric music (Music by chance) 20th Century classical music There are also very many other different types of music in this period – these are just some of the key features!

Key Composers Reich Cage Schoenberg Adams